The optical calibration of the ICON-FUV instrument requires designing specific ground support equipment (GSE). The ICON-FUV instrument is a spectrographic imager that operates on two specific wavelengths in the UV (135.6 nm and 157 nm). All the operations have to be performed under vacuum UV light. The optical setup is based on a VUV monochromator coupled with a collimator that illuminates the FUV entrance slit. The instrument is placed on a manipulator providing fields pointing. Image quality and spectral properties can be then characterized for each field. OGSE, MGSE, optical calibration plan and vacuum alignment of the instrument are described.

ICON FUV is a two channel spectrographic imager that measures intensity and spatial distribution of oxygen (135.6 nm) and molecular nitrogen (157 nm) of the ionosphere. As those wavelengths are strongly absorbed by the atmosphere, the optical elements of the system have to be tested inside vacuum chambers. Prior to the instrument alignment and calibration, two 3600 gr/mm gratings were characterized. The primary focus is the measurement of the diffraction efficiencies; while the second objective is to select the best grating and to define which is the flight and the spare. A dedicated setup has been developed to assess the grating optical performances under vacuum. A 1 cm diameter collimated beam is generated using an off-axis parabola and a UV source at its focal point. The grating is placed at the center of two rotation stages collinearly aligned. One detector is placed on a rotating arm, deported from its rotation center. A PMT detector records diffracted light intensity with respect to its angular position and its wavelength. Angular incidence on the grating is tuned with the help of the second rotation stage. The grating efficiency homogeneity and scattering properties are measured through a Y-X scan.