Advanced instrumentation
Specific Competition
CE1 - Understand the basic conceptual schemes of Astrophysics
CE10 - Use current scientific instrumentation (both Earth-based and Space-based) and learn about its innovative technologies.
General Competencies
CG1 - Know the advanced mathematical and numerical techniques that allow the application of Physics and Astrophysics to the solution of complex problems using simple models
CG2 - Understand the technologies associated with observation in Astrophysics and instrumentation design
Basic skills
CB6 - Possess and understand knowledge that provides a basis or opportunity to be original in the development and/or application of ideas, often in a research context
CB7 - That students know how to apply the knowledge acquired and their ability to solve problems in new or little-known environments within broader contexts
CB8 - That students are able to integrate knowledge and face the complexity of formulating judgments based on information that, being incomplete or limited, includes reflections on the social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge and judgments
CB10 - That students possess the learning skills that allow them to continue studying in a way that will be largely self-directed or autonomous
Exclusive to the Specialty in Observation and Instrumentation
CX9 - Understand advanced astrophysical instrumentation including cutting-edge telescopes and detectors and adaptive optics techniques
6. Subject contents
Theoretical and practical contents of the subject
- Topics (headings):
1. General concepts (image formation and interference).
* Elements of an optical system: pupils and diaphragms; aberrations: concept and correction
* Basis of the theory of image formation: pupil function and transmission function
* Interference: amplitude and frequency modulation
* Black body
2. The atmosphere in the measurement of the signal.
* Atmospheric emission and absorption
* Diffusion (scattering)
* Atmospheric dispersion models
* Seeing: characteristics; modeling: Fried parameter
3. Imaging through a turbulent medium
* Wavefront; wavefront error; Zernike polynomials
* The atmosphere as a turbulent medium: turbulence in clear air; Reynolds number; Kolmogorov theory: scale length
4. Interferometry.
* Principles of interferometry. Spatial resolution. ldo selection.
* Interference filters
* Etalons
* Instrumental examples
5. Image correction: adaptive optics (AO) and post-facto methods
* Principles of OA
* AO and MCAO
* Instrumental examples
* Post-facto methods: speckle photometry, lucky imaging
6. Spectroscopy integral and multi-object field measurement
* Concept and development
* Instrumental examples
7. Polarimetry.
* Concept
* Scientific applications and observational limitations
* Instrumental examples
8. Cryogenics.
* Why cool instruments
* Cryostat
* Insulation
* Radiation shield
* Types of chillers (closed cycle, liquid nitrogen, helium, carbon dioxide, etc.)
* Optomechanics
9. Detectors.
* Photographic plates
* Photomultipliers
* Photoelectric effect: materials
* Integration amplifiers
* CCDs
* IR detector mosaics
* Bolometers. STJ
* Signal to noise ratio: concept and determination
10. Radio astronomy.
1. Radio telescopes.
⁃ General diagram of a radio telescope.
⁃ Dipole type antennas. Hertz dipole. Dipole arrays. Examples.
⁃ Single antenna telescopes. Types of frames. Types of optical designs. Parabolic reflectors, lighting and reception patterns. Aperture efficiency, roughness and Ruze equation. Horns and waveguides. Examples of single antenna telescopes, and designs.
⁃ Radio interferometry. Complex visibility. Opening synthesis. Dirty and clean maps. Applications. Examples of interferometers.
2. Receivers.
⁃ Coherent receivers. noise temperature. Quantum limit. White noise and 1/f. amplifiers. Gain fluctuations. Super-heterodyne receiver. Dicke receiver. Focal Plane Arrays.
⁃ Thermal receivers, bolometers. Bolometer equation. Responsivity, conductance, time constant. NEP, Johnson noise, phononic noise and photon noise.
⁃ Kinetic inductance receivers.
11. Instrumental projects
* Generalities
* User requirements and specifications: optics, mechanics, electronics and software
* Scientific projects directors
* Management scheme
Presential
FALSE
Advanced instrumentation
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or HaDEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. The statements made herein do not necessarily have the consent or agreement of the ASTRAIOS Consortium. These represent the opinion and findings of the author(s).
