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NACO
A multimode Adaptive Optics Infrared Instrument has been developed
fort the Nasmyth focus B of UT4 (NACO). This system
consists in the AO system, originally called NAOS, which has been built by a
French consortium, and the multi-mode imaging/spectroscopic camera CONICA,
developed by MPIA and MPE.
In September 2003, CONICA has been equipped with a new high-contrast imaging
mode developed for the search for extra-solar planets. This CONICA-SDI mode of NACO
allows for the calibration of stellar speckle-noise by simultaneously
obtaining 2 images outside of the methane absorption (1.575, 1.600 microns)
and 2 images inside the CH4 feature (1.625, and 1.625 microns). This mode has
recently (February 2007) been updated by a new (YVO4) Double-Wollaston prism
which improves significantly the field of view and minimizes the chromatic
errors.
A second upgrade has recently been performed in April 2004, which allows for
simultaneous low spectral resolution combined with high spatial resolution by
means of a SrTiO3-double prism (CONICA-DP). In addition, a superachromatic l/2-retarder has
been implemented (CONICA-SAR) to improve the
polarimetric observational capabilities.
Responsible: Rainer
Lenzen
Last updated: July 11 , 2007
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