Development of a three-channel SWIR camera, for ground-based astronomical imaging. (Two micron all sky survey, 2MASS)

Scott Milligan; Brian W. Cranton; Michael F. Skrutskie

doi:10.1117/12.256209

1 November 1996 Development of a three-channel SWIR camera, for ground-based astronomical imaging. (Two micron all sky survey, 2MASS)

Scott Milligan, Brian W. Cranton, Michael F. Skrutskie

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 2863, Current Developments in Optical Design and Engineering VI; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.256209
Event: SPIE's 1996 International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1996, Denver, CO, United States

Abstract

The two micron all sky survey (2MASS) project, currently underway, requires a camera mated to a 1.3 meter Cassegrain telescope that will simultaneously image the J, H and Ks spectral bands onto three separate NICMOS3 HgCdTe detector arrays. Dichroic beamsplitters allow the three FPAs to view the same field simultaneously. This paper reviews the development of this camera, presents a detailed analysis of the optical design, and discusses the techniques used to align the instrument and evaluate its performance. The low irradiance of astronomical sources, combined with background limited performance of the detectors, mandated a reimaging configuration and the enclosure of the camera optics within the cold volume. Correcting chromatic aberrations, and minimizing ghost images were additional challenges imposed by program requirements. The key to achieving high performance was found to be the selection of lens materials. The final F/3.5 optical design uses fifteen CaF₂ elements and four Infrasil elements in an all-spherical configuration. The design is diffraction limited over the full format in the Ks spectral band, and is nearly so in the J and H bands. The tolerance environment is benign, making the design well suited for use in a cryogenic environment. A single channel prototype has been built and extensively field tested at the 50-inch telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory. Each channel in the multi-spectral camera uses the same optical design successfully demonstrated in the prototype. Currently, the first of two three-channel cameras is undergoing lab tests for image quality and channel registration.

Citation Download Citation

Scott Milligan, Brian W. Cranton, and Michael F. Skrutskie "Development of a three-channel SWIR camera, for ground-based astronomical imaging. (Two micron all sky survey, 2MASS)", Proc. SPIE 2863, Current Developments in Optical Design and Engineering VI, (1 November 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.256209

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