Prime Focus Imaging Spectrograph for the Southern African Large Telescope: operational modes

Henry A. Kobulnicky; Kenneth H. Nordsieck; Eric B. Burgh; Michael P. Smith; Jeffrey W. Percival; Ted B. Williams; Darragh O'Donoghue

doi:10.1117/12.460315

7 March 2003 Prime focus imaging spectrograph for the Southern African large telescope: operational modes

Henry A. Kobulnicky, Kenneth H. Nordsieck, Eric B. Burgh, Michael P. Smith, Jeffrey W. Percival, Ted B. Williams, Darragh O'Donoghue

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 4841, Instrument Design and Performance for Optical/Infrared Ground-based Telescopes; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.460315
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2002, Waikoloa, Hawai'i, United States

Abstract

The Prime Focus Imaging Spectrograph (PFIS) will be the workhorse first-light instrument on the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT). Scheduled for commissioning in late 2004, PFIS is a versatile high-throughput imaging spectrograph with a complement of 5 volume-phase holographic gratings for spectroscopic programs from 3200Å to 9000Å at resolutions of R=1500 to R=6000. A magazine of 6 longslits and 30 custom laser-milled slitmasks enables single- or multi-object spectroscopy over an 8 arcminute diameter field. With the gratings stowed, a dual-etalon Fabry-Perot subsystem enables imaging spectroscopy at R=500, R=3000, and R=12,500. The polarization subsystem, consisting of a polarizing beam-splitter used in conjunction with half- and quarter-wave plates, allow linear or circular polarimetric measurements in ANY of the spectroscopic modes. Three mosaiced rapid-readout frame-transfer CCDs provide the capability for time-resolved sampling at rates in excess of 10 Hz. Combinations of these subsystems permit novel observing modes for specialized scientific programs. Examples include high-time resolution multi-object spectral polarizmetry of accreting compact objects, and Fabry-Perot polarimetry or imaging spectral polarimetry of nebulae and stellar clusters. The demands of queue-scheduled observing on a fixed-altitude telescope require that the instrument be capable of rapid reconfiguration between modes.

Citation Download Citation

Henry A. Kobulnicky, Kenneth H. Nordsieck, Eric B. Burgh, Michael P. Smith, Jeffrey W. Percival, Ted B. Williams, and Darragh O'Donoghue "Prime focus imaging spectrograph for the Southern African large telescope: operational modes", Proc. SPIE 4841, Instrument Design and Performance for Optical/Infrared Ground-based Telescopes, (7 March 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.460315

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