SINFONI: a high-resolution near-infrared imaging spectrometer for the VLT

The SINFONI1 project combines the MPE cryogenic near-infrared imaging spectrometer SPIFFI2 with an ESO adaptive-optics system on the ESO-VLT to perform high spatial and spectral resolution studies of compact objects. This paper describes the optical design of SPIFFI and the novel techniques used in...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Tecza, M, Thatte, N
Format: Conference item
Published: 1998
Description
Summary:The SINFONI1 project combines the MPE cryogenic near-infrared imaging spectrometer SPIFFI2 with an ESO adaptive-optics system on the ESO-VLT to perform high spatial and spectral resolution studies of compact objects. This paper describes the optical design of SPIFFI and the novel techniques used in building its integral-field unit.The image slicer comprises of a bundle of 1024 silica/silica fibers, where each fiber tip is flared to increase the core diameter by a factor of 15. The tapered end is polished to form a spherical microlens with a hexagonal cross-section to couple Light into the optical fiber. This not only yields a high light-coupling efficiency and a high geometrical filling factor but also allows us to use the fiber bundle at a working temperature of 77 K without losing positioning accuracy.