The Keck-I Cassegrain atmospheric dispersion corrector

Andrew C. Phillips; Joseph Miller; David Cowley; Vernon Wallace

doi:10.1117/12.672469

29 June 2006 The Keck-I Cassegrain atmospheric dispersion corrector

Andrew C. Phillips, Joseph Miller, David Cowley, Vernon Wallace

Proceedings Volume 6269, Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy; 62691O (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.672469
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2006, Orlando, Florida , United States

Abstract

We describe the design and construction of the Atmospheric Dispersion Corrector (ADC) for the Keck-I Cassegrain focus. This is a "linear" or "longitudinal" ADC with fused silica prisms slightly over 1-meter in diameter. It is designed to operate at zenith distances up to 60 degrees and over a 20 arcminute field-of-view with negligible impact on image quality and throughput, and to provide dispersion compensation from 0.31 to 1.1 microns. During the design phase, it was realized that the LADC design effectively displaces the optical axis of the telescope as the prisms separate, leading to (a) a tilting of the focal surface, and (b) a change in telescope pointing. Both effects can have significant consequences, particularly for off-axis instruments, and should be carefully considered in selecting this ADC design. We also discuss in some detail the broad-band anti-reflection coatings, which consist of silica Sol-gel over MgF₂. The Keck ADC is currently undergoing final assembly and testing at the UCO/Lick Observatory Instrument Labs, and will be commissioned in late 2006.

Citation Download Citation

Andrew C. Phillips, Joseph Miller, David Cowley, and Vernon Wallace "The Keck-I Cassegrain atmospheric dispersion corrector", Proc. SPIE 6269, Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy, 62691O (29 June 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.672469

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available