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We present a design and laboratory evaluation of a prototype pre-spectrograph wavelength splitter and pupil slicer (WSPS). The goal is to remove the need for the large wavelength splitters that are currently implemented within the multiwavelength channel spectrograph optics and to achieve a more efficient packaging of the resultant single channel spectrographs. The WSPS is an optical assembly that interfaces to a subset of the incoming fiber optics (~100 per unit), splits the light into multiple wavelength channels (Blue, Green, Red, J, and H), and allows implementation of an arrayed output configuration to slice up the pupil. Performance of the WSPS must achieve excellent light coupling of the incoming light to the output channels and suppress scattered light cross talk so that bright targets illuminating the WSPS don’t contaminate the spectra of the fainter targets that illuminate that same WSPS unit. Nano-structured etching (TelAzTec) is used on the Fused Silica lenses that clad the optical assemblies to suppress optical ghosting. |
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