[Previous] | [Session 64] | [Next]
H. L. Nations, M. J. Pierce (University of Wyoming)
We report on the development of a modern, efficient, and economical optical spectrograph for use at the Wyoming Infrared Observatory (WIRO). The spectrograph will be fiber optically coupled and make use of highly efficient volume phase holographic (vph) gratings. The instrument is housed on a vibration isolated optical bench within a temperature-controlled enclosure on the floor of the observatory. Commercial optics and mechanical hardware are utilized wherever possible to minimize costs. Initial testing has been carried out with a ``stellar" fiber bundle consisting of thirty 50 micron fibers. A larger IFU consisting of 300 100 micron fibers in a 20x15 rectangular array is under construction. This will give a sky coverage of about 18x13 arc-seconds at an f/10 Cassegrain focus and will allow for many different extragalactic as well as stellar observational programs. The initial configuration is optimized for the wavelength region from 5000-7000 Angstroms and a resolution near 4000 but will be easily extendable to other regions and resolutions. Most notably, cooling the entire instrument will eventually allow observations to be made in the 1-2 micron region. We show drawings and photographs of the instrument, initial spectra of spectrophotometric standards, and a preliminary measurement of the total throughput.
HLN gratefully acknowledges funding through a Faculty Fellowship from the Wyoming Space Grant Consortium.
[Previous] | [Session 64] | [Next]
Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 34
© 2002. The American Astronomical Soceity.