Servo loops for controlling 2 motors of the galvanometer are already included in Servo Driver Boards (Proportional Derivative control).

To control the system you will need two analog control signals generated from Digital-to-Analog Converters (DAC). From specifications of Driver Board range of control voltage is +/-10V. With sensitivity of 0.5 V/degree it will cover the full range of +/- 20 degree (for GSV012). To exploit full resolution that system provides control signal must have at least 20/0.0008=25000 steps, that corresponds to 15-bit DAC. 

Two true analog outputs are present on Arduino Due, but with 12-bit resolution (4.96 steps) and output voltage range 0.55 V to 2.75 V. 

In any case if you will use Arduino boards an additional board will be needed. If 12-bit resolution is satisfactory the board will to do voltage level translations. In other case board will have another DAC, 2-channels with 16-bit resolutions, and proper level translations. In second case any Arduino board can be used (digital interface between Arduino and DAC, parallel for higher speed or serial for lower pin count). 

In any case it is expected that control signal rates will not exceed the specified one. 

Another important issue is integration with other part of the system, that will serve as reference generator. 

I have not worked with Arduino Mega(or others) to control Thorlabs Galvanometer through its Driver Boards.

That's a question form me! I always wanted to attach some of my electronic toys to big telescopes, but never had a chance.. so here we go:

Lavdim has given you a very nice and elaborate description of your possibilities. However, your galvo datasheet states:

4.3 Using a DAQ Card

Typically, users will deploy a DAQ card with DAC analogue outputs in order to drive

the servo drivers supplied with the galvos. The minimum recommended

specifications for the DAC outputs are:

Dual bipolar -10V to 10V DAC analogue output channels (differential).

DAC clocking frequency of 5kS/s (Kilo Samples/Second) per channel.

16 Bit DAC resolution.

In short - this means that simple arduino will be insufficient due to two issues:

• to low DAC resolution
• lack of symmetric (+/- 10V) supply and output

As Lavdim explained, if resolution is not of your concern, then you could make a workaround with arduino DAC output and level-shifter, However, you will also need a stable symmetric power supply.

Nevertheess, I would like to ask you why you want to have an arduino based controller? Does it already control other parts of your experiment?

Not knowing those I am unable to give you a definite statement, but I would propose a solution of developing an additional daq board which will meet galvo driver's requirements and be able to communicate with arduino, or other supervisory appliance.

If you are interested, I would like to assist you in achieving your goals, as I have excessive experience with designing embedded controllers and process automation for scientific experiments.

Mike

Did you manage to do it ? I am developing somthing similar with a cheap DAQ and the main concern is that it's capable of only 2mA output current. I am testing a push-pull circuit with a Darlinton (NPN and PN) to solve this.

In simulation it seems OK but it will need a calibration.