Course ASTR 736: Astronomical Instrumentation Technology
2013/08/28: UHM-AST-INST-1
Introduction, schedule, homework policy, grading policy, student paper and presentation
Discussion of student interest and expectations
The logistics of remote teaching.
Classification of detectors:
Evolution of detection systems
(catalogs, sketches, photography, electronic detectors)
Expansion of wavelength coverage over history
Detector Types:
coherent – incoherent
photon sensitive – thermal or bolometric
photo-emissive – semiconductor
Noise statistics : Read noise, background noise
The solid-state physics behind detectors:
The photoelectric effect – photocathodes
Isolators – semiconductors – metals
Electron and hole propagation, mobility, effective mass
2013/09/04: UHM-AST-INST-2
PN junctions, diode, photodiodes, Field-effect-transistors
Typical amplifiers, source followers, operational amplifiers,
Negative feedback circuit, trans-impedance amplifier, charge integrating circuits
Detailed discussion of a simple PIN diode photometer
2013/09/11: UHM-AST-INST-3
CCD:
History
Basic design, 3 phase and 4 phase,
CCD fabrication,
signal sampling, noise sources, dual slope integration
binning, drift scan operation
Solid state physics of silicon
Quantum efficiency of CCDs
Improvements of quantum efficiency
Typical design of a data acquisition system
Data reduction procedures, Performance limits
Special CCDs: OTCCD, EMCCD
2013/09/18: UHM-AST-INST-4
IR Detector Arrays:
Basic design (hybrid technology)
Multiplexer designs and their historic evolution
Today’s most common design (source follower)
Detector material choices, dark current, wavelengths, operating temperature
Operation:
Signal sampling, multi-sampling
Noise sources: white, 1/f
Reference signals and reference pixels
Typical design of a data acquisition system
ASIC operation
data reduction procedures
calculation of detector system sensitivities
Photon counting systems
2013/09/25: UHM-AST-INST-5 (Don Hall)
The HAWAII-4RG 15 project
Avalanche Photodiode (APD) arrays
2013/10/02: UHM-AST-INST-6 (Mark Chun)
Atmospheric turbulence and Random processes
Imaging and imaging through turbulence
Wavefront sensing techniques, Wavefront reconstruction,
and Control Theory
Limitations - anisoplanicity, sky coverage, and basic error budgets/performance estimates
2013/10/09: UHM-AST-INST-7 (Mark Chun)
Laser Guide stars (Sodium resonance, pulsed Rayleigh scattering)
Advanced AO concepts: Multi-conjugate AO, Ground-layer AO
Visible wavelength AO
2013/10/16: UHM-AST-INST-8 (remote)
Overlap between optical and infrared technologies
Optical CMOS detectors (monolithic, hybrid)
UV, X-ray, and Gamma-ray detectors
Historic technology: Photography
Comparison: the human eye as an astronomical instrument
2013/10/23: UHM-AST-INST-9
Radio and Sub-mm Instrumentation:
Heterodyne receivers
Bolometer arrays
Transition-Edge detectors
Interferometry at radio and infrared wavelengths
Far-Infrared photoconductors
Discussion of Herschel and SOFIA instruments
2013/10/30: UHM-AST-INST-15: Student presentations and discussion on detectors
Student presentations of their review papers (20 + 10 mins each)
2013/11/06: UHM-AST-INST-10
Telescope Design and Construction:
Historic Evolution of telescopes
Optical fabrication methods
Basic Optical Design (with Zemax demos):
Lens forms, basic properties
Optical aberrations
Achromatic systems
Example: designing a visual refractor
Reflective telescope designs
Newton
Cassegrain
Ritchey Chretien
Catadioptric Designs
Schmidt, Maksutov, Houghton, Hamilton
Focal reducers and field correctors
Infrared optical systems
Optical Tolerancing
Optics Mounts and supports
Optical alignment
Thermal management
2013/11/13: UHM-AST-INST-11
Instrument Design Overview:
Cameras (optical and IR)
Spectrographs (optical and IR)
Fiber-linked spectrographs
Integral-field spectrographs
Polarimeters
Solar instrumentation
2013/11/20: UHM-AST-INST-12
Vacuum technology
Thermal design of cryogenic instruments,
Cooler Technologies
2013/11/27: UHM-AST-INST-13
A detailed look a several instruments recently built
by the IfA: NIRI, HiCIAO, WNIR
2013/12/04: UHM-AST-INST-14
Instrumentation Project Management:
Funding sources
Grants vs. Contracts
Project planning tools
Cost estimates
Project review
IfA Instrumentation Division, Job order system
Purchasing rules
Legal issues such as International Traffic in Arms Regulations
Instrument testing, acceptance testing
Observatory integration and commissioning
Maintenance
Instrument upgrades
2013/12/11: UHM-AST-INST-16: Student presentations and discussion on
instruments
Student presentations of their review papers (20 + 10 mins each)