High resolution in three dimensions with SWIFT and PALM3K

SWIFT is a visible light (650-1000nm) integral field spectorgaph fed by the Palomar extreme adaptive optics system PALM3K. With a subaperture spacing of 8cm, PALM3K is capable of delivering diffraction limited performance even in the visible. With SWIFT providing spatially resolved spectroscopy at R...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Clarke, F, Thatte, N, Tecza, M, O'Brien, K, Houghton, R, Tice, D, Fletcher, L, Irwin, P, Verma, A, Dekany, R, Buruss, R, Roberts, J
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: INAF - Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri Largo Enrico Fermi 2013
Description
Summary:SWIFT is a visible light (650-1000nm) integral field spectorgaph fed by the Palomar extreme adaptive optics system PALM3K. With a subaperture spacing of 8cm, PALM3K is capable of delivering diffraction limited performance even in the visible. With SWIFT providing spatially resolved spectroscopy at R=4000, this provides a truly unique facility for high resolution science in three dimensions. We present here some results from the first year of PALM3K+SWIFT science. We also report on our experience of operating a small field of view instrument (1"x0.5") with a high performance AO system, and hope the lessons learned will provide valuable input to designing successful and productive AO plus Instrument combinations for ELTs.