M. Rodgers

FISICA: the Florida image slicer for infrared cosmology and astrophysics

We report on the design and status of the Florida Image Slicer for Infrared Cosmology and Astrophysics (FISICA) - a fully-cryogenic all-reflective image-slicing integral field unit for the FLAMINGOS near-infrared spectrograph. Designed to accept input beams near f/15, FISICA with FLAMINGOS provides R~1300 spectra over a 16x33-arcsec field-of-view on the Cassegrain f/15 focus of the KPNO 4-meter telescope, or a 6x12-arcsec field-of-view on the Nasmyth or Bent Cassegrain foci of the Gran Telescopio Canarias 10.4-meter telescope. FISICA accomplishes this using three sets of “monolithic” powered mirror arrays, each with 22 mirrored surfaces cut into a single piece of aluminum. We review the optical and opto-mechanical design and fabrication of FISICA, as well as laboratory test results for FISICA integrated with the FLAMINGOS instrument. We also discuss plans for first-light observations on the KPNO 4-meter telescope in July 2004.

The Canarias Infrared Camera Experiment (CIRCE): optical and opto-mechanical design and manufacture

We report on the design status of the Canarias InfraRed Camera Experiment (CIRCE), a near-infrared visitor instrument for the 10.4 meter Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC). In addition to functioning as a 1-2.5 micron imager, CIRCE will have the capacity for narrow-band imaging, low-and moderate- resolution grism spectroscopy, and imaging polarimetry. CIRCEs all-reflective aspheric optical design offers excellent throughput and image quality. We present an analysis of the optical layout and the progress of the opto-mechanical design and manufacture.

Vision-based semi-autonomous outdoor robot system to reduce soldier workload

Sensors and computational capability have not reached the point to enable small robots to navigate autonomously in unconstrained outdoor environments at tactically useful speeds. This problem is greatly reduced, however, if a soldier can lead the robot through terrain that he knows it can traverse. An application of this concept is a small pack-mule robot that follows a foot soldier over outdoor terrain. The solder would be responsible to avoid situations beyond the robots limitations when encountered. Having learned the route, the robot could autonomously retrace the path carrying supplies and munitions. This would greatly reduce the soldiers workload under normal conditions. This paper presents a description of a developmental robot sensor system using low-cost commercial 3D vision and inertial sensors to address this application. The robot moves at fast walking speed and requires only short-range perception to accomplish its task. 3D-feature information is recorded on a composite route map that the robot uses to negotiate its local environment and retrace the path taught by the soldier leader.

Design, fabrication, assembly, and testing of the Florida Image Slicer for Infrared Cosmology and Astrophysics (FISICA) integral field unit

We discuss the design, fabrication, assembly, and testing of the prototype Florida Image Slicer for Infrared Cosmology and Astrophysics (FISICA) Integral Field Unit (IFU). FISICA is intended for large telescopes with f/numbers close to f/15, such as the KPNO 4-m and GTC 10.4-m telescopes. It implements an image slicing approach, wherein the initial image plane is optically sliced into thin strips and the strips are optically rearranged end-to-end, whereupon the composite slit image is fed into a conventional spectrograph. We divide the field of view into 22 slices, while accommodating the entire f/15 viewing solid angle. The all-reflective instrument resides in a cryogenic dewar at the initial focal plane, and places the composite slit image output precisely at the initial focus, allowing it to interface to the existing FLAMINGOS spectrograph. The mirrors were diamond turned using various tool geometries and state-of-the-art, multi-axis tool control. The mirrors are made from a single billet of aluminum, and the optical bench and mounts are made of the same alloy as the mirrors for optimum performance during cryogenic cooling. We discuss the key design efforts, emphasizing tradeoffs among performance, volume, fabrication difficulty, and alignment requirements. We describe the fabrication, and present preliminary laboratory test results.

Overview and design of the canarias infraRed camera experiment (CIRCE)

We report on the design status of the Canarias InfraRed Camera Experiment (CIRCE), a near-infrared visitor instrument for the 10.4-meter Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC). Besides functioning as a 1-2.5 micron imager, CIRCE will have the capacity for narrow-band imaging, low- and moderate- resolution grism spectroscopy, and imaging polarimetry. Other design features include fully cryogenic filter, slit, and grism wheels, high-speed photometry modes, and broad-band imaging in J, H, and Ks filters. We anticipate that a myriad of scientific projects will benefit from CIRCEs unique combination of capabilities.

CIRCE: The Canarias InfraRed Camera Experiment

The Canarias InfraRed Camera Experiment (CIRCE) is a near-infrared (1–2.5 μm) instrument for the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) 10.4 m telescope. CIRCE has an off-axis aspheric all-reflective optical system that offers both excellent throughput and image quality. Observational modes include broad/narrow band imaging and low-resolution spectroscopy. High time-resolution data acquisition and polarimetry are available in both cases. We present an overview of the instrument and the current status of design and fabrication.

The Canarias InfraRed Camera Experiment (CIRCE): Progress of the Opto- and Cryo- mechanical Design and Manufacture

We present the current status of the Canarias InfraRed Camera Experiment (CIRCE) an all-reflective near-IR, imager, spectrograph, and polarimeter for the 10.4-meter Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC). In particular, we review the progress of the opto- and cryo- mechanical design and manufacture, focusing on the custom filter, lyot, and grism wheels, lightweight optics, and mirror brackets. We also outline our progress with the optical bench. Finally, we discuss a number of CIRCEs features that both complement and augment the planned suite of GTC facility instruments.