Large scientific equipments for Big Science experiments in space, astronomy or fusion

Bertin offers innovative instruments combining performance and intuitiveness, dedicated to sampling, detection and measurement: Laboratory equipment for life sciences, solutions and services dedicated to radiation protection and to the monitoring of ionizing radiation, proprietary systems for the detection of all types of CBRN threats, and optronic equipment for Defense and Security applications.

Bertin Technologies also participates in prestigious programs implementing ambitious, state-of-the-art and highly innovative solutions, for which Bertin develops optical, opto-mechanical and electronic instruments up to the assembly, integration, testing and validation phases. The expertise of Bertin teams is based on solid skills in the following fields:

• High-performance optical systems and components (Lenses, prisms, high-precision mirrors, aspherical mirrors, X mirrors)
• High stability opto-mechanical aiming instrumentation
• High precision mechanical instrumentation
• Instrumentation for optical quality tests
• Fiber optic technology for specific environments
• Electronic and opto-electronic instruments
• System Automation
• Spectroscopy and imaging systems (image slicers, spectrographs, collimators)
• Experimental instrumentation (X microscope)
• System engineering; large and complex projects management

Bertin brings his expertise to the diagnostic team of the ITER organization

The objective of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) program is to understand and control nuclear fusion. Since 2009, Bertin has been actively involved in this ambitious large-scale project through the development of diagnostics instruments for the Tokamak reactor. These tools seek to control and measure plasma in an effort to understand and analyze the physics of the reaction. Indeed, to carry out such experiments, it is essential to be equipped with a large number of instruments that will both control the plasma and perform numerous measurements, in order to better understand and analyze the physics of the reaction.

High precision mechanics and optics for the Megajoule Laser program

The main objective of the Megajoule Laser, designed to deliver an energy of several million joules to a target of a few millimeters, in a few billionths of a second, is to maintain in operational conditions the French nuclear deterrent force. Bertin has been working with the CEA on this project for nearly 20 years, developing high precision mechanical and optical assemblies. In particular, Bertin has produced the target alignment system (SOPAC) and the common reference, which enables the laser beams to be aligned with each other in a vacuum, in the center of the experiment chamber, with an accuracy of a few microns. Bertin was also entrusted with several contracts relating to Plasma Diagnostics. And since 2015, Bertin has been assisting the CEA/DAM in both the operation of the delivered systems and the realization of future equipment.

Integration and test equipment for space scientific payloads

To accomplish their mission successfully, systems embedded in satellites or weapon systems cannot suffer any technology failure. This is why the testing, control and calibration phases are decisive in order to put them in real operating conditions.

Our optical and mechanical test benches are fully designed and developed by Bertin, up to the assembly, integration, testing and validation (AITV) phases. They are used to qualify, test and validate instruments such as very high resolution imagers, radar sounders or advanced telescopes.

These Optical Ground Support Equipment (OGSE) are strategic for prime contractors as they enable them to validate the performance of instruments that will then be integrated. These test benches must therefore be extremely precise, both in terms of optical performance and mechanical stability, and be able to be controlled remotely in very harsh environment.

Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE) allows the integration of critical components (e.g. mirrors) with very high stability and precision. Some MGSEs developed by our teams are also designed to reproduce test campaign conditions, to make these tests as realistic as possible.