Astronomical Instrumentation for Ground- and Space- Based Telescopes
Lead Research Organisation:
Durham University
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
We propose a continuation of our successful rolling programme of research and development in astronomical instrumentation for ground- and space-based telescopes. The primary goals are to investigate key technologies for the next generation of large and extremely large telescopes which will rely heavily on adaptive optics to deliver their full scientific potential. Over the period 2007-2012 we propose to develop high fidelity simulations of adaptive optics systems and to test the performance of very high order wavefront correctors in the laboratory. We will also continue our joint programme with ESO to develop a next generation real-time control system for future adaptive optics systems and explore the use of new techniques in determining site the charachterisation parameters relevant to extremely large telescopes. We will continue to develop our in-house manufacturing capability for high precision micro-optics components and explore the potential of photonic crystal devices to deliver fundamental new capabilities in spectroscopic instrumentation.
Publications
Abramowski A
(2014)
DISCOVERY OF THE HARD SPECTRUM VHE ?-RAY SOURCE HESS J1641-463
in The Astrophysical Journal
Abramowski A
(2014)
ERRATUM: "SEARCH FOR DARK MATTER ANNIHILATION SIGNALS FROM THE FORNAX GALAXY CLUSTER WITH H.E.S.S." (2012, ApJ, 750, 123)
in The Astrophysical Journal
Acharya B
(2015)
The Cherenkov Telescope Array potential for the study of young supernova remnants
in Astroparticle Physics
Algorri JF
(2013)
Modal liquid crystal array of optical elements.
in Optics express
Aliu E
(2013)
LONG-TERM TeV AND X-RAY OBSERVATIONS OF THE GAMMA-RAY BINARY HESS J0632+057
in The Astrophysical Journal
Allington-Smith J
(2007)
Strategies for spectroscopy on Extremely Large Telescopes - I. Image slicing
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Allington-Smith J
(2013)
End effects in optical fibres
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Allington-Smith J
(2007)
New techniques for integral field spectroscopy - II. Performance of the GNIRS IFU
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Axelsson M
(2014)
An imperfect double: probing the physical origin of the low-frequency quasi-periodic oscillation and its harmonic in black hole binaries
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Basden A
(2014)
Visible near-diffraction-limited lucky imaging with full-sky laser-assisted adaptive optics
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Basden A
(2014)
A real-time simulation facility for astronomical adaptive optics
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Basden A
(2014)
Faulty actuator tolerance in deformable mirrors for Extremely Large Telescope multi-object adaptive optics
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Basden A
(2013)
Monte Carlo simulation of ELT-scale multi-object adaptive optics deformable mirror requirements and tolerances
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Basden A
(2014)
Real-time correlation reference update for astronomical adaptive optics
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Basden Alastair
(2007)
Shack-Hartmann sensor improvement using optical binning
in APPLIED OPTICS
Basden Alastair
(2007)
Adaptive optics simulation performance improvements using reconfigurable logic
in APPLIED OPTICS
Basden Alastair
(2007)
Durham extremely large telescope adaptive optics simulation platform
in APPLIED OPTICS
Bitenc U
(2014)
Assessing the stability of an ALPAO deformable mirror for feed-forward operation.
in Optics express
Catala L
(2013)
Optical turbulence characterization at the SAAO Sutherland site
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Content R
(2013)
New Microslice Technology for Hyperspectral Imaging
in Remote Sensing
Content R
(2012)
CEOI microslice spectrograph
Corbett J
(2007)
Fibre modal power distributions in astronomy and their application to OH-suppression fibres
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Den Herder J
(2011)
ORIGIN: metal creation and evolution from the cosmic dawn
in Experimental Astronomy
Finn C
(2014)
A compact, metal-rich, kpc-scale outflow in FBQS J0209-0438: detailed diagnostics from HST/COS extreme UV observations
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Föhring D
(2013)
ULTRACAM z'-band detection of the secondary eclipse of WASP-12b
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Gardner E
(2014)
A physical model for the X-ray time lags of narrow-line Seyfert type 1 active galactic nuclei
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Harris J
(2014)
An investigation into the spectral properties of bright Fermi blazars
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Harris J
(2014)
Photon-axion mixing within the jets of active galactic nuclei and prospects for detection
in Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Hori T
(2014)
SUZAKU OBSERVATION OF THE BLACK HOLE BINARY 4U 1630-47 IN THE VERY HIGH STATE
in The Astrophysical Journal
Huang B
(2012)
FPGA-based embedded Linux technology in fusion: The MAST microwave imaging system
in Fusion Engineering and Design
Kimura M
(2010)
Fibre Multi-Object Spectrograph (FMOS) for the Subaru Telescope
in Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan
Kolehmainen M
(2014)
The soft component and the iron line as signatures of the disc inner radius in Galactic black hole binaries
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Murray G
(2009)
Strategies for spectroscopy on Extremely Large Telescopes - II. Diverse-field spectroscopy
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Osborn J
(2014)
Open-loop tomography with artificial neural networks on CANARY: on-sky results
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Poppett C
(2009)
Strategies for spectroscopy on extremely large telescopes - III. Remapping switched fibre systems
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Poppett C
(2007)
Fibre systems for future astronomy: anomalous wavelength-temperature effects
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Shepherd H
(2014)
Stereo-SCIDAR: optical turbulence profiling with high sensitivity using a modified SCIDAR instrument
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Shidatsu M
(2014)
SPECTRAL AND TIMING PROPERTIES OF THE BLACK HOLE X-RAY BINARY H1743-322 IN THE LOW/HARD STATE STUDIED WITH SUZAKU
in The Astrophysical Journal
Sivo G
(2014)
First on-sky SCAO validation of full LQG control with vibration mitigation on the CANARY pathfinder.
in Optics express
Starling R
(2014)
The story of Seyfert galaxy RE J2248-511: from intriguingly ultrasoft to unremarkably average
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Sutton A
(2014)
Irradiated, colour-temperature-corrected accretion discs in ultraluminous X-ray sources
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Thomson RR
(2009)
Ultrafast laser inscription: an enabling technology for astrophotonics.
in Optics express
Vidal F
(2014)
Analysis of on-sky MOAO performance of CANARY using natural guide stars
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
| Description | Waveguide |
| Organisation | Heriot-Watt University |
| Department | Physics |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Design & applications. |
| Collaborator Contribution | New opportunities for projects. Student training opportunities. |
| Impact | Joint publications with R Thompson. |
| Start Year | 2010 |
| Title | Image Slicers |
| Description | Diamond-machining of reflective image slicers for integral field (area) spectroscopy with form errors and surface roughness errors <10nm. Optics, active and adaptive optics, mirrors, aspherics, interferometers, photonics |
| Type Of Technology | Systems, Materials & Instrumental Engineering |
| Year Produced | 2011 |
| Impact | Key technology in KMOS multi-integral field spectrometer for ESO VLT. This was the first UK-led facility instrument for the ESO VLT. |
| Title | Microslice Hyperspectral Imager |
| Description | A new approach to snapshot hyperspectral imaging based on microlens array technology has been developed. Optics, active and adaptive optics, mirrors, aspherics, interferometers, photonics |
| Type Of Technology | Systems, Materials & Instrumental Engineering |
| Year Produced | 2012 |
| Impact | Potential applications in security sector in addition to environment. CLASP award applied for. |