Image slicers (SLI) are now standard equipment in astronomical instrumentation, particularly for Integral Field Spectroscopy (IFS). Our team at the Advanced Optical Fabrication Infrastructure (AOFI) has been tasked with the fabrication of the slicer-based IFU for GIRMOS (Gemini InfraRed Multi-Object Spectrograph), which contains 42 250-μm wide slices along with the corresponding pupil and field mirrors. Diamond turning image slicers is complicated as they often include tilted slices smaller than 500-μm wide. The surface finish of diamond-turned optics must be optimal in astronomical applications such as integral field spectroscopy. Here we present a test plan and characterization of the GIRMOS SLI system. One notable challenge is the disparity between room temperature testing and the cryogenic environment of the actual system. This requires the design of a warm model, which has been numerically validated. A comprehensive metrology process is implemented, utilizing equipment such as a Talysurf PGI Freeform profilometer, a ZYGO Verifire HD Fizeau interferometer, a coordinate measuring machine (CMM), a point source microscope (PSM) equipped with a motorized gimbal mount, a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and a custom SLI-M1 test bench. The test bench facilitates verification of intermediate pupil positions, calculation of the slices' tilts and curvatures, measurement of diffraction efficiency, and estimation of surface roughness through total integrated scatter (TIS) analysis. Additionally, the bench is used to characterize the pseudo-slit output by replacing front-end optics and enables the measurement of tilts on all surfaces using a precision motorized gimbal stage. The test plan presented establishes a robust methodology for comprehensive characterization, essential for high precision integral field spectroscopy in astronomical observations.
We present an optical design of a slicer-based integral-field spectrograph for GIRMOS. The performance budget of subsystems is discussed, and then the performance of the end-to-end design is evaluated to ensure compliance with overall requirements.
We describe the process through which stray light analysis should be performed in optical systems involving image slicers. We detail how scattering models should be used depending on how the image slicer assembly will be fabricated. Our work describes how to determine all ray paths, compute cross-talk on the pupil mirrors due to scattering, quantify the ghost images’ intensity, and determine baffle positions. In the example given, an ABg model is applied to all mirror arrays separately, before considering their contributions altogether. We also consider diffraction due to the image slicer’s narrow slice apertures, which contribute to unwanted light in the system by causing cross-talk on the pupil mirrors. Using Fourier optics, this quantity is computed and compared with cross-talk caused by scattering. Our work represents a useful asset for optical engineers who work on image slicer-based systems and want to analyze stray light, by providing a clear and exhaustive procedure to follow to obtain accurate estimates.
Image slicers are now common equipment in integral field spectrographs (IFSes) to detect and analyze distant galaxies and extra-solar planets. However, tilted surfaces cause vignetting between adjacent slices and off-axis optical aberrations. In this paper, we explore how the flexibility of metasurfaces can be used by adjusting the surface phases on single glass planes and mirrors. Therefore, each slice can be defined by its nanopillar spatial distribution, enabling control of slitlet positions and aberrations. We propose a conceptual design of a six-slices metasurface-based image slicer (MIS), optimized to operate in the J band (1.15-1.35 μm). In addition to resulting in diffraction-limited performance, the dispersion inherent to metasurfaces allows reaching a R = 2850 spectral resolving power in a short 273 mm-long design, with a transmission < 85%.
The Gemini Infrared Multi-Object Spectrograph (GIRMOS) is an adaptive optics-fed multi-object integral field spectrograph with a parallel imaging capability. The instrument is composed of four separate but identical spectrographs, giving it the ability to observe four objects simultaneously. Each slicer-based integral field spectrograph offers capabilities over three different fields of view (FOVs) and spatial sampling scales: 1.0”x1.0”, 2.1”x2.1” and 4.2”x4.2” out of a 2’ diameter field-of-regard, associated with samplings of 25 mas (mode 1), 50 mas (mode 2) and 100 mas (mode 3), respectively. Spectral resolutions of R=3000 and R=8000 are available in Y, J, H and K bands from 0.95 to 2.4 µm. To achieve spatial sampling requirements, the integral field unit (IFU) is designed as a 42-slices advanced image slicer. In this paper, the preliminary optical design and performances of the GIRMOS image slicer are presented, as well as the first diamond-turned prototype. The design is optimized for both optical performance and manufacturability by opting for a staircase arrangement that delivers diffraction-limited image quality while minimizing slice width losses due to diamond turning. Stray light and slice diffraction effects are also taken into account and reported.
We present the detailed performance of the preliminary end-to-end optical design of GIRMOS that is designed to take advantage of the multi-object adaptive optics corrected field at the Gemini North telescope. GIRMOS’s optical design consists of object selection pick-offs, adaptive optics, and four identical Integral-Field Spectrographs (IFSes), which employ image slicers to arrange the integral field along a slit. Each IFS can image the individual FOV of 1.0x1.0”, 2.0x2.0”, 4.0x4.0” over a 2’ diameter field-of-regard at different spatial sampling. The pick-offs can also be configured in close-packed arrangement to image a single field. Spectral resolutions of R~3000 and 8000 are available in 0.95-2.4 μm.
We proposed a model to estimate surface topography and transition edge width in diamond-turned non-circular compound freeform optics featuring right angle transitions. The method serves as comparison basis between both full and split radius tools and takes into consideration basic cutting and tooling parameters relevant to a raster tool path, along with multiple variables, such as material response and defects, tool wear, and spindle vibrations. Principles are applied to a set of adjacent rectangular surfaces of different tilts. Fabrication tests validating the model show good agreement between the proposed calculations and the experimental results and offer insight on how and when both tip geometries should be used. We represent a useful asset for optical engineers who want to determine which diamond tips choose for their freeform applications. It can also be employed to assess the attainable surface quality and width of edge transitions in compound freeform designs before manufacturing them.
We present unique optomechanical designs allowing precise fabrication and alignment of diamond-turned aluminum image slicers through preformed monolithic blocks and, most importantly, sub-group assemblies. This last approach reduces manufacturing time and risks while resulting in more alignment flexibility when compared to the traditional monolithic slicer build. We describe all optomechanical parts included in the process, as well as the selection of tooling and machining parameters to obtain good surface quality results on the first groups of slices for the GIRMOS (Gemini InfraRed Multi-Object Spectrograph) instrument image slicer.
We discuss the preliminary end-to-end optical design of an infrared multi-object integral-field spectrograph (GIRMOS) that is designed to take advantage of the multi-object adaptive optics corrected field at the Gemini telescope. GIRMOS’s optical design consists of object selection pick-offs, an adaptive optics (AO) system, and four identical Integral-Field Spectrographs (IFSes), which employ an image slicer to arrange the integral field along a slit. Each IFS can pick off the individual FOV of 1.0x1.0”, 2.0x2.0”, 4.0x4.0” over a 2’ diameter field-of-regard, at a spatial sampling of 25mas, 50mas, and 100mas, respectively. The pick-offs can also be configured in close-packed arrangement to image a single field. Spectral resolutions of R~3000 and 8000 are available in Y, J, H, and K-bands from 0.95 to 2.4μm.
In this paper we discuss the mechanical design of the GIRMOS Cryostat. GIRMOS is an adaptive optics fed multi-object Integral-Field Spectrograph with a parallel imaging capability and will be installed at the Gemini North Observatory. This instrument includes four separate identical spectrograph channels arranged symmetrically around the central axis of the instrument which provide it its multiplexing capability. Each spectrograph channel starts off at the object selection mechanism. The object selection mechanism contains four motorized fold mirror assemblies which scan the incoming light from the telescope to look at four separate objects simultaneously or combine their efforts to look at a single object in a tiled mode. Each of the four individual beams from the object selection system are then directed into the instrument dewar via separate entrance windows. Within the dewar each IFS beam moves through an anamorphic relay, an optical image slicer assembly and eventually makes it to a Spectrograph unit. All of these assemblies are located on a single cold bench within the dewar. The instrument imager is located along the central axis of the dewar and is housed in the cold bench as well. In this paper we will provide some details regarding the Cryostat design, the mechanical packaging of the IFS and imager along with some of the thermal load mitigation techniques employed. We will also discuss some key performance requirements that were expected from the Cryostat and the design choices we made in order to achieve them.
The Gemini Infrared Multi-Object Spectrograph (GIRMOS) is an adaptive optics-fed multi-object integral field spectrograph with a parallel imaging capability. GIRMOS implements multi-object adaptive optics (MOAO) for each of its spectrographs by taking advantage of the infrastructure offered by Gemini upcoming wide-field AO facility at Manua Kea. The instrument offers the ability to observe four objects simultaneously within the Gemini-North AO (GNAO) system’s field-of-regard or a single object by tiling the four fields that feed light to four separate spectrographs. Each integral field spectrograph has an independent set of selectable spatial scales (0.025", 0.05", and 0.1" /spaxel) and spectral resolution (R 3,000 and 8,000) within an operating band of 0.95 2.4µm. These spatial scales correspond to indvidual spectrograph fields of view of 1x1", 2X2" , and 4x4", respectively. GIRMOS’s imager offers Nyquist sampling of the diffraction limit in H-band over a 85x85" imaging field. The imager can function in a parallel data acquisition mode with just minor vignetting spectroscopic pick- offs when they are deployed.
In order to study distant galaxies and extra-solar planets, image slicers are now widely used in most integral field spectrographs (IFSes). Nonetheless, their multiple small tilted surfaces make them particularly difficult to manufacture, but equipment such as that of AOFI (Advanced Optical Fabrication Infrastructure) of University Laval eases this process. In this regard, the AOFI team has been tasked with the fabrication and characterization of the image slicer of the GIRMOS (Gemini Infra-Red Multi-Object Spectrograph) instrument. However, first attempts to produce small slicer prototypes have shown an issue with a monolithic diamond turning approach: manufacturing time. To address this matter and minimize tool wear while achieving good surface quality and optical performance, we have developed a unique manufacturing procedure, based on aluminum mechanical sub assemblies. This paper discusses this strategy and the metrology tests that were then applied to the image slicer of GIRMOS, including the analyses of surface roughness and other parameters such as tilts, curvature and active area.
Image slicers have become a standard equipment in the field of astronomical spectroscopy. They are now widely used in most integral field spectrographs (IFSes) in order to detect and characterize distant galaxies or extra- solar planets. However, they are notoriously difficult to manufacture due to their multiple small tilted surfaces, but equipment such as that of AOFI (Advanced Optical Fabrication Infrastructure) of Universite Laval eases the process. In this regard, the team at AOFI has been tasked with the fabrication of the image slicer for the GIRMOS instrument. This paper presents the characterization of diamond turned RSA-6061 and AA-6061 T6 aluminum, and the definition of the different machining parameters, such as step size and tool radius, that could improve the surface quality of an aluminum image slicer. It also discusses the fabrication of the first prototypes at AOFI, that will eventually prove useful in the fabrication of the image slicer for GIRMOS, effectively lowering its risks.
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