Calibration of an astrophysical spectrograph below 1 m/s using a laser frequency comb

Opt Express. 2012 Jun 18;20(13):13711-26. doi: 10.1364/OE.20.013711.

Abstract

We deployed two wavelength calibrators based on laser frequency combs ("astro-combs") at an astronomical telescope. One astro-comb operated over a 100 nm band in the deep red (∼ 800 nm) and a second operated over a 20 nm band in the blue (∼ 400 nm). We used these red and blue astro-combs to calibrate a high-resolution astrophysical spectrograph integrated with a 1.5 m telescope, and demonstrated calibration precision and stability sufficient to enable detection of changes in stellar radial velocity < 1 m/s.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Astronomy / instrumentation*
  • Calibration
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Lasers*
  • Optical Devices*
  • Spectrum Analysis / instrumentation*