Simultaneous quad-color infrared imaging device (SQIID): a leap forward in infrared cameras for astronomy

摘要

The Simultaneous Quad-Color Infrared Imaging Device (SQIID) is the first of a new generation of infrared instruments to be put into service at the Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO). The camera has been configured to be modular in design and to accept new innovations in detector format as they become available. Currently the camera is equipped with four 256 $MUL 256 platinum silicide arrays with 30 micron pixels for each of the four bands J (1.1 - 1.4 microns), H (1.5 - 1.8 microns), K (2.0 - 2.4 microns), and L$PRM (3.52 - 4.12 microns). The optics of the instrument have been designed to accept detector arrays as large as 512 $MUL 512, or an equivalent field size of 12.4 mm $MUL 12.4 mm. The instrument is cooled with a pair of closed cycle cryogenic coolers, which are mechanically aligned and electrically phased to eliminate vibration. In addition, a transputer based electronics system has been incorporated to facilitate fast frame rates, co-add frames, and ease the data handling burden.