CfAI Seminar Programme 2021

Wednesday March 31st 1pm

Dr Ariadna Calcines-Rosario: Two image slicer projects: CUBES and GNIRS

Abstract: This seminar is about two on-going image slicer projects at CfAI: CUBES and GNIRS. CUBES is a high-efficiency, medium resolution (R≈20,000) spectrograph that will be integrated in a Cassegrain focus of VLT covering a spectral range from 300 to 400nm. GNIRS is a medium resolution spectrograph at Gemini North telescope providing spectral resolutions from 1,200 up to 18,000. The instrument offers four observational modes: long-slit (50-100” slit);cross-dispersed (5-7” slit), low resolution IFU and high resolution IFU. Both IFU modes with image slicers designed and manufactured at Durham University.

Dr Lazar Staykov

Storm in a cup or optical turbulence in the lab. Simulating atmospheric turbulence using humble wire

Abstract: Adaptive optics (AO) is widely deployed across multiple domains of human activities. Most notably perhaps, it is used for removing unwanted optical artefacts created from turbulence in the atmosphere. To facilitate the development and optimisation of AO systems, a reliable turbulence generator is needed. Here we study the feasibility of a humble wire to deliver performance comparable to or exceeding existing devices. Preliminary experimental results will be presented together with a brief comparison with the existing methods.

https://durhamuniversity.zoom.us/j/95096346252?pwd=SE5qVklaVGEwTy9qeXF6Vlpwak5vQT09

Meeting ID: 950 9634 6252

Passcode: 006113

CfAI is one of the major research groups in the Physics Department at Durham with approximately 70 staff and research students. It is distributed across two physical locations, one of which is in the new Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics on the University science site in Durham, and the other is at the North East Technology Park (NETPark), an internationally recognised location for science and technology companies, based about ten miles away in Sedgefield, Co. Durham.

CfAI develops state-of-the-art instruments for application across a wide range of disciplines including astronomical instrumentation, biophysics, remote sensing and fusion diagnostics. Research outputs can be found by following the links to individual research areas listed in the menu on the left or by a search of Durham Research Online. We also have close links with the Centre for Extragalactic Astronomy and the Institute for Computational Cosmology.