New dispersive elements providing relative high resolution (R=2200) have been recently incorporated in the near
infrared spectrograph LIRIS. These elements are founded on a rather novel design based on a diffractive pattern
engraved in fused silica, which is placed between two prisms. These new components are pushing forward the scientific
capabilities of the instrument by enhancing the medium resolution spectroscopic mode of operation. Details on the
design, specifications and measured performances, as well as aspects related to the integration and astronomical tests in
the instrument are presented.
LIRIS is a near-infrared intermediate resolution spectrograph with added capabilities for multi-slit, imaging, coronography, and polarimetry, developed by the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias (IAC). It will be a common user instrument for the Cassegrain focus of the William Herschel Telescope (WHT) at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory in La Palma. At its first commissioning, that was held in February 2003, the functionality of the mechanisms (entrance wheel, central wheels and camera wheel) under variable orientation of the telescope was verified, and no thermal nor structural problems arose. The functionality of the mechanical interface with telescope (allows for up to 5 mm of lateral displacements in the attachment plane), of the LIRIS handling trolley, of the transport equipment and of all the equipments used in the integration was also checked. For the second commissioning of LIRIS, which has been held in March 2004, some modifications have been done. The results of both commissionings were satisfactory.
LIRIS is a near-infrared (1-2.5 microns) intermediate resolution spectrograph (R=1000-3000) with added capabilities for multi-slit, imaging, coronography, and polarimetry, built by the IAC to be a common instrument for the WHT (La Palma). Here we report the results of the two commissioning periods. The image quality was checked, obtaining a FWHM of 0".5 in the Ks band over the whole field of view (4'.2 x 4'.2). Zero points and sky brightness were measured, and very low values were found in the latter. The long slit spectra obtained matched the expected spectral resolution (2.6 pixels for a 0".65-wide slit). Flexure tests were carried out with good results. Several science targets were observed, the most note-worthy result being the detection of the CIV 154.9 nm line in the most distant qso at z=6.41.
The instrument LIRIS is a near IR spectrograph to be installed at the
WHT telescope. Currently it is being assembled at the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias. The instrument will have a Hawaii 1Kx1K array as the detector. Here we report the laboratory characterization of the scientific grade unit. We give the
relevant parameters such as linearity range, gain and readout noise. These results confirm that the science grade detector will fulfil the astronomical requirements for making LIRIS a front line IR instrument. We also discuss some peculiar effects which need
to be taken into account in order to guarantee a correct astronomical performance. Among these effects we consider: variation of the dark signal with integration time, cross-talk, and persistance. We also discuss the variation of the bias level with detector temperature and the need to establish an extremely stable control of the temperature.
LIRIS is a near-infrared (0.9 - 2.4 microns) intermediate resolution spectrograph (R = 1000-3000) conceived as a common user instrument for the (WHT) at the Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos (ORM) La Palma. LIRIS is now being assembled, integrated and virified at the Instituto Astrofisico de Canarias (IAC). LIRIS will have imaging, long-slit and multi-object spectroscopy working modes. Coronography and polarimetry capabilities will eventually be added. Image capability will allow easy target acquisition.
LIRIS is a near-IR intermediate resolution spectrograph with added capabilities for multi-object, imaging, coronography, and polarimetry. This instrument is now being constructed at the IAC, and upon complexion will be installed on the 4.2m William Herschel Telescope at the Observatorio del Roque de Los Muchachos. The optical system uses lenses and is based on a classical collimator/camera design. Grisms are used as the dispersion elements. The plate scale matches the median seeing at the ORM. The detector is a Hawaii 1024 X 1024 HgCdTe array operating at 60K.
The Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias (IAC) is undertaking the design and construction of a common-user near IR spectrograph (LIRIS) for the Cassegrain focus of the 4.2 m William Herschel Telescope sited at the Observatorio del Roque de Los Muchachos. LIRIS will be a near IR intermediate-resolution spectrograph designed to operate over a spectral resolution range between 1000 and 5000, with added capabilities for coronographic, multiproject and polarimetric observations. The instrument allows the combination of an adequate spatial resolution with a large useful field of view across the slit, thanks to the use of the new 1024 X 1024 pixel HgCdTe Hawaii detector manufactured by Rockwell. All the optics and mechanisms situated inside the cryostat will be cooled to below 100 K. The detector will operate at 77 K. Calibration and tracking will be made with the existing Cassegrain A and G Box, into which a near IR calibration system will be incorporated.
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