Benjamín García

First Light with RATIR: An Automated 6-band Optical/NIR Imaging Camera

The Reionization and Transients InfraRed camera (RATIR) is a simultaneous optical/NIR multi-band imaging camera which is 100% time-dedicated to the followup of Gamma-ray Bursts. The camera is mounted on the 1.5-meter Johnson telescope of the Mexican Observatorio Astronomico Nacional on Sierra San Pedro Martir in Baja California. With rapid slew capability and autonomous interrupt capabilities, the system will image GRBs in 6 bands (i, r, Z, Y, J, and H) within minutes of receiving a satellite position, detecting optically faint afterglows in the NIR and quickly alerting the community to potential GRBs at high redshift (z>6-10). We report here on this Springs first light observing campaign with RATIR. We summarize the instrumental characteristics, capabilities, and observing modes.

Properties of Transparent Zinc‐Tin Oxide Conducting Films Prepared by Chemical Spray Pyrolysis

In this work we have prepared thin films of zinc‐tin oxide by the chemical spray pyrolysis method. The structural, electrical and optical properties were studied for all films as a function of the zinc content in the starting solution, yielding values of electrical resistivity (ρ), Hall mobility (μ), carrier concentration (n), and optical transmission (T) suitable for optoelectronic applications, e.g. our optimal values were ρ = 3.56×10−2 Ω cm and T = 0.77.

Dual infrared camera for near and mid infrared observations

We present the dual IR camera CID for the 2.12 m telescope of the Observatorio Astronomico Nacional de Mexico, IA-UNAM. The system consists of two separate cameras/spectrographs that operate in different regions of the IR spectrum. In the near IR, CID comprises a direct imaging camera with wide band filters, a CVF, and a low resolution spectrograph employing an InSb 256 x 256 detector. In the mid IR, CID uses a BIB 128 x 128 detector for direct imaging in 10 and 20 microns. Optics and mechanics of CID were developed at IR-Labs (Tucson). The electronics was developed by R. Leach (S. Diego). General design, construction of auxiliary optics (oscillating secondary mirror), necessary modifications and optimization of the electronics, and acquisition software were carried out at OAN/ UNAM. The compact design of the instruments allow them to share a single dewar and the cryogenics system.

Slit-mask, acquisition, and guiding zone mechanisms of the ESOPO spectrograph

This work presents the specifications, requirements, design, finite element analysis and results of the assembled subsystems: slit-mask, and the acquisition and guiding zone mechanisms of the ESOPO spectrograph. This spectrograph is a project of the Institute of Astronomy, National University of Mexico.

The spectrograph ESOPO: scientific goals, high-level requirements, and introduction to the design

In this paper we present the Medium Resolution Spectrograph ESOPO, an instrument designed and built for the 2.1m Telescope at the Observatorio Astronómico Nacional at San Pedro Mártir. We discuss the Scientific Goals and the High Level Requirements necessary to translate these goals to optical, mechanical and control specifications. We make an introduction to its conceptual dual-arm design. The optical design is based on a non-classical configuration. The gratings are illuminated in a conical mode working in a quasi Littrow configuration which has the advantage of optimizing the efficiency and the pupil area on the grating. We show here the results of an experimental evaluation of the concept. The optical design, mechanical structure, slit-mask and acquisition system, control systems, and a study of thermal compensators, are discussed briefly, references to more extended contributions in these proceedings are made. The management schematics of the project are briefly discussed.