Fast multichannel astronomical photometer based on silicon photo multipliers mounted at the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo

Filippo Ambrosino; Franco Meddi; Corinne Rossi; Silvia Sclavi; Roberto Nesci; Ivan Bruni; Adriano Ghedina; Luis Riverol; Luca Di Fabrizio

doi:10.1117/12.2064649

28 July 2014 Fast multichannel astronomical photometer based on silicon photo multipliers mounted at the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo

Filippo Ambrosino, Franco Meddi, Corinne Rossi, Silvia Sclavi, Roberto Nesci, Ivan Bruni, Adriano Ghedina, Luis Riverol, Luca Di Fabrizio

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9147, Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy V; 91478R (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2064649
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2014, Montréal, Quebec, Canada

Abstract

The realization of low-cost instruments with high technical performance is a goal that deserves efforts in an epoch of fast technological developments. Such instruments can be easily reproduced and therefore allow new research programs to be opened in several observatories. We realized a fast optical photometer based on the SiPM (Silicon Photo Multiplier) technology, using commercially available modules. Using low-cost components, we developed a custom electronic chain to extract the signal produced by a commercial MPPC (Multi Pixel Photon Counter) module produced by Hamamatsu Photonics to obtain sub-millisecond sampling of the light curve of astronomical sources (typically pulsars). We built a compact mechanical interface to mount the MPPC at the focal plane of the TNG (Telescopio Nazionale Galileo), using the space available for the slits of the LRS (Low Resolution Spectrograph). On February 2014 we observed the Crab pulsar with the TNG with our prototype photometer, deriving its period and the shape of its light curve, in very good agreement with the results obtained in the past with other much more expensive instruments. After the successful run at the telescope we describe here the lessons learned and the ideas that burst to optimize this instrument and make it more versatile.

Citation Download Citation

Filippo Ambrosino, Franco Meddi, Corinne Rossi, Silvia Sclavi, Roberto Nesci, Ivan Bruni, Adriano Ghedina, Luis Riverol, and Luca Di Fabrizio "Fast multichannel astronomical photometer based on silicon photo multipliers mounted at the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo", Proc. SPIE 9147, Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy V, 91478R (28 July 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2064649

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available