CRIRES: A high resolution infrared spectrograph for ESO's VLT

Abstract

CRIRES, a pre-dispersed CRyogenic Infrared Echelle Spectrograph, provides a resolving power λ/δλ ≈ 105, (or δv ≈ 1.5km/s per pixel) between 1000 and 5000 nm, at the 8m ESO VLT-UT 1. A curvature sensing adaptive optics system feed is used to minimize slit losses and to provide 0.2" spatial resolution along the slit. A mosaic of 4 Aladdin InSb-arrays packaged on custom-fabricated ceramics boards provides for an effective 5 k × 0.5 k pixel focal plane array. Remote insertion of gas cells to measure high precision radial velocities is possible. A linear and circular polarization mode for magnetic Doppler imaging of stellar surfaces is foreseen with motorized retarders in combination with a Wollaston prism. The major design features of CRIRES and a glimpse tutorial preview of astronomical data are given. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.