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arXiv · 1508.06290

First Light with ALES: A 2-5 Micron Adaptive Optics Integral Field Spectrograph for the LBT

Andrew J. Skemer·Philip Hinz·Manny Montoya·Michael F. Skrutskie·Jarron Leisenring·Oli Durney·Charles E. Woodward·John Wilson·Matt Nelson·Vanessa Bailey·Denis Defrere·Jordan Stone
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Abstract

Integral field spectrographs are an important technology for exoplanet imaging, due to their ability to take spectra in a high-contrast environment, and improve planet detection sensitivity through spectral differential imaging. ALES is the first integral field spectrograph capable of imaging exoplanets from 3-5$\mu$m, and will extend our ability to characterize self-luminous exoplanets into a wavelength range where they peak in brightness. ALES is installed inside LBTI/LMIRcam on the Large Binocular Telescope, taking advantage of existing AO systems, camera optics, and a HAWAII-2RG detector. The new optics that comprise ALES are a Keplerian magnifier, a silicon lenslet array with diffraction suppressing pinholes, a direct vision prism, and calibration optics. All of these components are installed in filter wheels making ALES a completely modular design. ALES saw first light at the LBT in June 2015.

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Andrew J. Skemer, Philip Hinz, Manny Montoya, Michael F. Skrutskie, Jarron Leisenring, Oli Durney, Charles E. Woodward, John Wilson, Matt Nelson, Vanessa Bailey, Denis Defrere, Jordan Stone. 2015-08-25. First Light with ALES: A 2-5 Micron Adaptive Optics Integral Field Spectrograph for the LBT. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2187284

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