Toward the final optical design of MOONS, the Multi-Object Optical and Near-Infrared spectrograph for the VLT

Abstract

MOONS (Multi-Object Optical and Near-infrared Spectrograph for the VLT) is entering into the final design phase. This paper presents and discusses the latest proposed version of the optical design of the cryogenic spectrograph. The main developments and modifications were aimed at minimizing the overall size and mass of the cryogenic spectrograph. The most remarkable new feature is the design of an extremely fast (F/0.95), light and compact (40 kg in less than 80 dm3) camera with superb image quality over a very large field of view (9 degrees on a collimated beam of 265 mm). The camera consists of only three optical elements: two lenses and one mirror. All elements are made of fused-silica. The optical performances are independent on the temperature, i.e. the camera can be fully characterized at room temperatures.