The Michigan Infrared Combiner (MIRC): IR imaging with the CHARA Array
Abstract
We present the design of the Michigan Infra-Red Combiner (MIRC). MIRC is planned for deployment at the Georgia State University CHARA array to simultaneously combine all six telescope beams in an image-plane combiner. The novel design incorporates spatial-filtering with single-mode fiber optics, a synthetic (densified) pupil, and a low-resolution spectrometer to allow good calibration and efficient aperture synthesis imaging in the near-infrared. In addition, the focalization and spectrometer optics can accommodate an integrated optics component with minimal re-alignment. The MIRC concept can be scaled-up for interferometer arrays with more telescopes.
- Publication:
-
New Frontiers in Stellar Interferometry
- Pub Date:
- October 2004
- DOI:
- 10.1117/12.550804
- Bibcode:
- 2004SPIE.5491.1370M