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NASA NTRS2014

NASA's Optical Measurement Program 2014

The Optical Measurements Group (OMG) within the NASA Orbital Debris Program Office (ODPO) addresses U.S. National Space Policy goals by monitoring and characterizing debris. Since 2001, the OMG has used the Michigan Orbital Debris Survey Telescope (MODEST) at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) in Chile for general orbital debris surveys. The 0.6-m Schmidt MODEST provides calibrated astronomical data of GEO targets, both catalogued and uncatalogued debris, with excellent image quality. The data are utilized by the ODPO modeling group and are included in the Orbital Debris Engineering Model (ORDEM) v. 3.0. MODEST and the CTIO/SMARTS (Small and Moderate Aperture Research Telescope System) 0.9 m are both employed to acquire filter photometry data as well as synchronously observe targets in selected optical filters. Obtaining data synchronously yields data for material composition studies as well as longer orbital arc data on the same target without time delay or bias from a rotating, tumbling, or spinning target. Observations of GEO orbital debris using the twin 6.5-m Magellan telescopes at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile for deep imaging (Baade) and spectroscopic data (Clay) began in 2011. Through the data acquired on Baade, debris has been detected that reaches approx. 3 magnitudes fainter than detections with MODEST, while the spectral data from Clay provide better resolved information used in material characterization analyses. To better characterize and model optical data, the Optical Measurements Center (OMC) at NASA/JSC has been in operation since 2005, resulting in a database of comparison laboratory data. The OMC is designed to emulate illumination conditions in space using equipment and techniques that parallel telescopic observations and sourcetarget- sensor orientations. Lastly, the OMG is building the Meter Class Autonomous Telescope (MCAT) at Ascension Island. The 1.3-m telescope is designed to observe GEO and LEO targets, using a modified Ritchey-Chrétien configuration on a double horseshoe equatorial mount to allow tracking objects at LEO rates through the dome's keyhole at zenith. Through the data collection techniques employed at these unique facilities, NASA's ODPO has developed a multifaceted approach to characterize the orbital debris risk to satellites in various altitudes and provide insight leading toward material characterization of debris via photometric and spectroscopic measurements. Ultimately, the data are used in conjunction with in-situ and radar measurements to provide accurate data for models of our space environment and for facilitating spacecraft risk assessment.

Cowardin, H.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The platinum microelectrode/Nafion interface - An electrochemical impedance spectroscopic analysis of oxygen reduction kinetics and Nafion characteristics

The objectives of this study were to use electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to study the oxygen-reduction reaction under lower humidification conditions than previously studied. The EIS technique permits the discrimination of electrode kinetics of oxygen reduction, mass transport of O2 in the membrane, and the electrical characteristics of the membrane. Electrode-kinetic parameters for the oxygen-reduction reaction, corrosion current densities for Pt, and double-layer capacitances were calculated. The production of water due to electrochemical reduction of oxygen greatly influenced the EIS response and the electrode kinetics at the Pt/Nafion interface. From the finite-length Warburg behavior, a measure of the diffusion coefficient of oxygen in Nafion and diffusion-layer thickness was obtained. An analysis of the EIS data in the high-frequency domain yielded membrane and interfacial characteristics such as ionic conductivity of the membrane, membrane grain-boundary capacitance and resistance, and uncompensated resistance.

Parthasarathy, Arvind↗
DOE OSTI2023

Practical Guide to Chemometric Analysis of Optical Spectroscopic Data

The methodology and mathematical treatment of several classic multivariate methods for the analysis of spectroscopic data is demonstrated in a straightforward way that can be used as a basis for teaching an undergraduate introductory course on chemometric analysis. The multivariate techniques of classical least squares (CLS), principal component regression (PCR), and partial least squares (PLS), as well as the univariate Beer’s law method have been described and compared, building students’ understanding by starting with the univariate method and progressing step by step into the multivariate methods. Equations for the production of regression vectors from training set spectral data is described and their use demonstrated for the prediction of constituent concentrations on a separate validation set of spectra. Extreme care is taken to ensure consistency in variable formatting of data matrices. This provides a key foundation to understanding how spectral data are manipulated using these different mathematical approaches for building quantitative regression models. Each method is applied to a real-world data set, and the results are discussed to show students the types of information that can be gleaned from each method. A training set comprised of 20 infrared absorbance spectra containing 3 constituents (benzene, polystyrene, and gasoline) of known composition are used to demonstrate the matrix operations for each regression method. A separate set of 12 real-world napalm samples (containing benzene, polystyrene and gasoline) are used as a validation set to demonstrate the ability to utilize the regression models on an unknown dataset. A toolbox (PNNL Chemometric Toolbox) written in MATLAB language is supplied in the Supplemental Information file and can be used as a companion for understanding the development and deployment of the chemometric algorithms described in this paper. The datasets of the infrared spectra are also supplied, allowing users to build and inspect the chemometric models on their own. Finally, the Toolbox includes scripts to assist users in loading their own datasets into MATLAB and performing CLS, PCR, and PLS on their data.

Upper-Division Undergraduate, Analytical Chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2020

ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering Virtual Special Issue on Recent Advances in Biomass Characterization and Modeling

Recognizing the importance of biomass characterization and modeling, a virtual special issue (VSI) entitled Recent Advances in Biomass Characterization and Modeling was organized to showcase the recent contributions to this emerging field. This VSI features contributions from leading scientists in the biorefinery field, intending to provide the readers with the latest advances in analytical methodology and modeling to characterize biomass feedstocks and biomass-derived products. Further, the VSI contains perspectives and research articles. Advanced analytical methods that measure the mechanical, chemical, physical, biological, and other properties of biomass and biomass pyrolysis products are described along with their application’s limitations in two perspectives. Biomass is a multicomponent/multiscale, complex, nonconducting, and highly heterogeneous material; thus, it could be problematic for many characterization techniques. Traditional biomass analysis tools that are slow, laborious, and generally require harsh reagents have been replaced or supplemented by simpler and more rapid chromatographic and spectroscopic approaches such as GC-MS, HPLC, FTIR, Raman, and NMR spectroscopies.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2019

The CARMENES search for exoplanets around M dwarfs: Photospheric parameters of target stars from high-resolution spectroscopy. II. Simultaneous multiwavelength range modeling of activity insensitive lines

In this paper, we present precise photospheric parameters of 282 M dwarfs determined from fitting the most recent version of PHOENIX models to high-resolution CARMENES spectra in the visible (0.52–0.96 μ m) and NIR wavelength range (0.96–1.71 μ m). With its aim to search for habitable planets around M dwarfs, several planets of different masses have been detected. The characterization of the target sample is important for the ability to derive and constrain the physical properties of any planetary systems that are detected. As a continuation of previous work in this context, we derived the fundamental stellar parameters effective temperature, surface gravity, and metallicity of the CARMENES M-dwarf targets from PHOENIX model fits using a χ 2 method. We calculated updated PHOENIX stellar atmosphere models that include a new equation of state to especially account for spectral features of low-temperature stellar atmospheres as well as new atomic and molecular line lists. We show the importance of selecting magnetically insensitive lines for fitting to avoid effects of stellar activity in the line profiles. For the first time, we directly compare stellar parameters derived from multiwavelength range spectra, simultaneously observed for the same star. In comparison with literature values we show that fundamental parameters derived from visible spectra and visible and NIR spectra combined are in better agreement than those derived from the same spectra in the NIR alone.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Confocal Raman studies in determining crystalline nature of PECVD grown Si nanowires

Silicon nanowires of diameter ∼200 nm and length of 2-4 µm are grown in the plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition technique using nanoclustered Au catalyst assisted vapour-liquid-solid process. The crystallinity in the as-grown and annealed samples is studied using confocal Raman spectroscopic studies. Amorphous phase is formed in the as-grown samples. Structural studies using high resolution transmission electron microscopy confirm the polycrystalline nature in the annealed sample.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2011

ECLIPSING BINARY SCIENCE VIA THE MERGING OF TRANSIT AND DOPPLER EXOPLANET SURVEY DATA-A CASE STUDY WITH THE MARVELS PILOT PROJECT AND SuperWASP

Exoplanet transit and Doppler surveys discover many binary stars during their operation that can be used to conduct a variety of ancillary science. Specifically, eclipsing binary stars can be used to study the stellar mass-radius relationship and to test predictions of theoretical stellar evolution models. By cross-referencing 24 binary stars found in the MARVELS Pilot Project with SuperWASP photometry, we find two new eclipsing binaries, TYC 0272-00458-1 and TYC 1422-01328-1, which we use as case studies to develop a general approach to eclipsing binaries in survey data. TYC 0272-00458-1 is a single-lined spectroscopic binary for which we calculate a mass of the secondary and radii for both components using reasonable constraints on the primary mass through several different techniques. For a primary mass of M{sub 1} = 0.92 {+-} 0.1 M{sub sun}, we find M{sub 2} = 0.610 {+-} 0.036 M{sub sun}, R{sub 1} = 0.932 {+-} 0.076 R{sub sun}, and R{sub 2} = 0.559 {+-} 0.102 R{sub sun}, and find that both stars have masses and radii consistent with model predictions. TYC 1422-01328-1 is a triple-component system for which we can directly measure the masses and radii of the eclipsing pair. We find that the eclipsing pair consists of an evolved primary star (M{sub 1} = 1.163 {+-} 0.034 M{sub sun}, R{sub 1} = 2.063 {+-} 0.058 R{sub sun}) and a G-type dwarf secondary (M{sub 2} = 0.905 {+-} 0.067 M{sub sun}, R{sub 2} = 0.887 {+-} 0.037 R{sub sun}). We provide the framework necessary to apply this analysis to much larger data sets.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Identification of Uranium Minerals in Natural U-Bearing Rocks Using Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy

The identification of minerals, including uranium-bearing minerals, is traditionally a labor-intensive-process using x-ray diffraction (XRD), fluorescence, or other solid-phase and wet chemical techniques. While handheld XRD and fluorescence instruments can aid in field identification, handheld infrared reflectance spectrometers can also be used in industrial or field environments, with rapid, non-destructive identification possible via spectral analysis of the solid’s reflectance spectrum. We have recently developed standard laboratory measurement methods for the infrared (IR) reflectance of solids and have investigated using these techniques for the identification of uranium-bearing minerals, using XRD methods for ground-truth. Due to the rich colors of such species, including distinctive spectroscopic signatures in the infrared, identification is facile and specific, both for samples that are pure or are partially composed of uranium (e.g. boltwoodite, schoepite, tyuyamunite, carnotite, etc.) or non-uranium minerals. The method can be used to detect not only pure and partial minerals, but is quite sensitive to chemical change such as hydration (e.g. schoepite). We have further applied statistical methods, in particular classical least squares (CLS) and multivariate curve resolution (MCR) for discrimination of such uranium minerals and two uranium pure chemicals (U3O8 and UO2) against common background materials (e.g. silica sand, asphalt, calcite, K-feldspar) with good success. Each mineral contains unique infrared spectral features; some of the IR features are similar or common to entire classes of minerals, typically arising from similar chemical moieties or functional groups in the minerals: phosphates, sulfates, carbonates, etc. These characteristic 2 infrared bands generate the unique (or class-specific) bands that distinguish the mineral from the interferents or backgrounds. We have observed several cases where the chemical moieties that provide the spectral discrimination in the longwave IR do so by generating upward-going reststrahlen bands in the reflectance data, but the same minerals have other weaker (overtone) bands, sometimes from the same chemical groups, that are manifest as downward-going transmission-type features in the midwave and shortwave infrared.

Beiswenger, Toya N.↗
DOE OSTI2017

New approaches for metabolomics by mass spectrometry

Small molecules constitute a large part of the world around us, including fossil and some renewable energy sources. Solar energy harvested by plants and bacteria is converted into energy rich small molecules on a massive scale. Some of the worst contaminants of the environment and compounds of interest for national security also fall in the category of small molecules. The development of large scale metabolomic analysis methods lags behind the state of the art established for genomics and proteomics. This is commonly attributed to the diversity of molecular classes included in a metabolome. Unlike nucleic acids and proteins, metabolites do not have standard building blocks, and, as a result, their molecular properties exhibit a wide spectrum. This impedes the development of dedicated separation and spectroscopic methods. Mass spectrometry (MS) is a strong contender in the quest for a quantitative analytical tool with extensive metabolite coverage. Although various MS-based techniques are emerging for metabolomics, many of these approaches include extensive sample preparation that make large scale studies resource intensive and slow. New ionization methods are redefining the range of analytical problems that can be solved using MS. This project developed new approaches for the direct analysis of small molecules in unprocessed samples, as well as pushed the limits of ultratrace analysis in volume limited complex samples. The projects resulted in techniques that enabled metabolomics investigations with enhanced molecular coverage, as well as the study of cellular response to stimuli on a single cell level. Effectively individual cells became reaction vessels, where we followed the response of a complex biological system to external perturbation. We established two new analytical platforms for the direct study of metabolic changes in cells and tissues following external perturbation. For this purpose we developed a novel technique, laser ablation electrospray ionization (LAESI), for metabolite profiling of functioning cells and tissues. The technique was based on microscopic sampling of biological specimens by mid-infrared laser ablation followed by electrospray ionization of the plume and MS analysis. The two main shortcomings of this technique had been limited specificity due to the lack of a separation step, and limited molecular coverage, especially for nonpolar chemical species. To improve specificity and the coverage of the metabolome, we implemented the LAESI ion source on a mass spectrometer with ion mobility separation (IMS). In this system, the gas phase ions produced by the LAESI source were first sorted according to their collisional cross sections in a mobility cell. These separated ion packets were then subjected to MS analysis. By combining the atmospheric pressure ionization with IMS, we improved the metabolite coverage. Further enhancement of the non-polar metabolite coverage resulted from the combination of laser ablation with vacuum UV irradiation of the ablation plume. Our results indicated that this new ionization modality provided improved detection for neutral and non-polar compounds. Based on rapid progress in photonics, we had introduced another novel ion source that utilized the interaction of a laser pulse with silicon nanopost arrays (NAPA). In these nanophotonic ion sources, the structural features were commensurate with the wavelength of the laser light. The enhanced interaction resulted in high ion yields. This ultrasensitive analytical platform enabled the MS analysis of single yeast cells. We extended these NAPA studies from yeast to other microorganisms, including green algae (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) that captured energy from sunlight on a massive scale. Combining cellular perturbations, e.g., through environmental changes, with the newly developed single cell analysis methods enabled us to follow dynamic changes induced in the cells. In effect, we were able to use individual cells as a “laboratory,” and approached the long-standing goal of establishing a “lab-in-a-cell.” Model systems for these studies included cells of cyanobacteria (Anabaena), yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), green algae (C. reinhardtii) and Arabidopsis thaliana.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Spectroscopic View of the JWST/GTO Strong Lensing Cluster A1489

We discuss a spectroscopic survey of the strong lensing cluster A1489 that includes redshifts for 195 cluster members along with central velocity dispersions for 188 cluster members. The caustic technique applied to the redshift survey gives the dynamical parameters M 200 = (1.25 ± 0.09) × 10 15 M ⊙ , R 200 = 1.97 ± 0.05 Mpc, and a cluster line-of-sight velocity dispersion of 1150 ± 72 km s -1 within R 200 . These parameters are very similar to those of other strong lensing systems with comparably large Einstein radii. We use the spectroscopy and deep photometry to demonstrate that A1489 is probably dynamically active; its four brightest cluster galaxies have remarkably different rest-frame radial velocities. Like other massive strong lensing clusters, the velocity dispersion function for members of A1489 shows an excess for dispersions ≳250 km s -1 . The central dispersions also provide enhanced constraints on future lensing models.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Quiescent Host Galaxies of Extended Quasars Revealed by Spectrophotometric Decomposition

Previous works of low-redshift quasar host galaxies have focused on compact quasars and found that their host galaxies are mainly star-forming galaxies. Here, we present a study of host galaxies for quasars with extended morphologies in ground-based optical images. We select a sample of more than 1000 type 1 quasars at redshift 0.1 < z < 1 that are classified as extended objects by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI). Combining high-resolution spectra from DESI and high-quality images from Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam, we develop a spectrophotometric decomposition technique to iteratively decompose each quasar into an active galactic nucleus (AGN) component and its host galaxy. The technique can effectively break the degeneracy between the AGN and host components and capture the host spectral features. Our results show that the host galaxies of most quasars have low star formation rates (SFRs) and low specific SFRs, indicating that they are quiescent galaxies. Many of them exhibit prominent post-starburst features with the existence of significant old stellar populations. These properties are quite different from the nature of compact quasars with star-forming host galaxies. In addition, the relation between the black hole mass and stellar mass for our sample is broadly consistent with the canonical local relations. This work is complementary to the previous studies and suggests that the host galaxies of low-redshift quasars are more diverse than was thought.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1993

High-dispersion spectroscopy of giants in metal-poor globular clusters. I - Iron abundances

High-resolution, high-SNR CCD spectra have been obtained for 16 giants in eight metal-poor Galactic globular clusters. Fe abundances accurate to 0.15 dex have been determined by a fully consistent set of model atmospheres and spectrum synthesis techniques. A metallicity scale is presented for metal-poor clusters that should prove useful for calibrating a wide variety of photometric and low-resolution spectroscopic metallicity indicators.

Minniti, Dante↗
NASA NTRS2006

Multispectral Microimager for Astrobiology

A primary goal of the astrobiology program is the search for fossil records. The astrobiology exploration strategy calls for the location and return of samples indicative of environments conducive to life, and that best capture and preserve biomarkers. Successfully returning samples from environments conducive to life requires two primary capabilities: (1) in situ mapping of the mineralogy in order to determine whether the desired minerals are present; and (2) nondestructive screening of samples for additional in-situ testing and/or selection for return to laboratories for more in-depth examination. Two of the most powerful identification techniques are micro-imaging and visible/infrared spectroscopy. The design and test results are presented from a compact rugged instrument that combines micro-imaging and spectroscopic capability to provide in-situ analysis, mapping, and sample screening capabilities. Accurate reflectance spectra should be a measure of reflectance as a function of wavelength only. Other compact multispectral microimagers use separate LEDs (light-emitting diodes) for each wavelength and therefore vary the angles of illumination when changing wavelengths. When observing a specularly-reflecting sample, this produces grossly inaccurate spectra due to the variation in the angle of illumination. An advanced design and test results are presented for a multispectral microimager which demonstrates two key advances relative to previous LED-based microimagers: (i) acquisition of actual reflectance spectra in which the flux is a function of wavelength only, rather than a function of both wavelength and illumination geometry; and (ii) increase in the number of spectral bands to eight bands covering a spectral range of 468 to 975 nm.

microimager↗
DOE OSTI2011

On-Line Monitoring for Control and Safeguarding of Radiochemical Streams at Spent Fuel Reprocessing Plant

There is a renewed interest worldwide to promote the use of nuclear power and close the nuclear fuel cycle. The long term successful use of nuclear power is critically dependent upon adequate and safe processing and disposition of the spent nuclear fuel Liquid-liquid extraction is a separation technique commonly employed for the processing of the dissolved spent nuclear fuel. Our approach is based on prerequisite that real time monitoring of the solvent extraction flowsheets provides unique capability to quickly detect unwanted manipulations with fissile isotopes present in the radiochemical streams during reprocessing activities. The instrumentation used to monitor these processes must be robust, require little or no maintenance, and be able to withstand harsh environments such as high radiation fields and aggressive chemical matrices. In addition, the ability for continuous on-line monitoring allows for numerous benefits. Our team experimentally assessed the potential of Raman and vis-NIR spectrophotometric techniques for on-line real-time monitoring of the U(VI)/nitrate ion/nitric acid and Pu(IV)/Np(V)/Nd(III), respectively, in solutions relevant to spent fuel reprocessing. Both techniques demonstrated robust performance in the repetitive batch measurements of each analyte in a wide concentration range using simulant and commercial dissolved spent fuel solutions. Static spectroscopic measurements served as training sets for the multivariate data analysis to obtain partial least squares predictive models, which were validated using on-line centrifugal contactor extraction tests. The corresponding spectrometers used under the laboratory conditions are easily convertible to the process-friendly configurations allowing remote measurements under the flow conditions. A fiber optic Raman probe allows monitoring of the high concentration species encountered in both aqueous and organic phases within the PUREX suite of flowsheets, including metal oxide ions, such as uranyl, components of the organic solvent, inorganic oxo-anions, and water. The actinides and lanthanides are monitored remotely by UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy in aqueous and organic phases. This paper summarizes our methodology and shows results of specific examples.

Bryan, Samuel A↗
DOE OSTI2025

Direct study of changes in catalyst structure-kinetic properties during redox transitions using a new time-resolved technique

Direct study of changes in catalyst structure-kinetic properties during redox transitions using a new time-resolved technique The Temporal Analysis of Products (TAP) pulse response methodology1 is a transient technique offering the time scale needed to deconvolve many reaction steps from the complex network typical to industrial catalytic processes. The traditional TAP measurement observes the gas phase dynamic response but, hereto now, has been devoid of any direct measurement of change in the catalyst itself. The development of an operando technique that couples gas phase transient kinetics to dynamic metal centers and surface species is presented. Significance Unification of the TAP methodology with time-resolved spectroscopic measurement can offer unprecedented insight into the complex kinetic phenomena regulated by the solid catalyst.

03 - NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Crowded Field Galaxy Photometry: Precision Colors in the CLASH Clusters

We present a new method for photometering objects in galaxy clusters. We introduce a mode-filtering technique for removing spatially variable backgrounds, improving both detection and photometric accuracy (roughly halving the scatter in the red sequence compared to previous catalogs of the same clusters). This method is based on robustly determining the distribution of background pixel values and should provide comparable improvement in photometric analysis of any crowded fields. We produce new multiwavelength catalogs for the 25 CLASH cluster fields in all 16 bandpasses from the UV through the near-IR, as well as rest-frame magnitudes. A comparison with spectroscopic values from the literature finds a ∼30% decrease in the redshift deviation from previously released CLASH photometry. This improvement in redshift precision, in combination with a detection scheme designed to maximize purity, yields a substantial upgrade in cluster member identification over the previous CLASH galaxy catalog. We construct luminosity functions for each cluster, reliably reaching depths of at least 4.5 mag below M* in every case, and deeper still in several clusters. We measure M* , α, and their redshift evolution, assuming the cluster populations are coeval, and find little to no evolution of α,−0.9≲〈α〉≲−0.8, and M* values consistent with passive evolution. We present a catalog of galaxy photometry, photometric and spectroscopic redshifts, and rest-frame photometry for the full fields of view of all 25 CLASH clusters. Not only will our new photometric catalogs enable new studies of the properties of CLASH clusters, but mode-filtering techniques, such as those presented here, should greatly enhance the data quality of future photometric surveys of crowded fields.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

HOW COMMON ARE THE MAGELLANIC CLOUDS?

We introduce a probabilistic approach to the problem of counting dwarf satellites around host galaxies in databases with limited redshift information. This technique is used to investigate the occurrence of satellites with luminosities similar to the Magellanic Clouds around hosts with properties similar to the Milky Way (MW) in the object catalog of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). Our analysis uses data from SDSS Data Release 7, selecting candidate MW-like hosts from the spectroscopic catalog and candidate analogs of the Magellanic Clouds from the photometric catalog. Our principal result is the probability for an MW-like galaxy to host N{sub sat} close satellites with luminosities similar to the Magellanic Clouds. We find that 81% of galaxies like the MW have no such satellites within a radius of 150 kpc, 11% have one, and only 3.5% of hosts have two. The probabilities are robust to changes in host and satellite selection criteria, background-estimation technique, and survey depth. These results demonstrate that the MW has significantly more satellites than a typical galaxy of its luminosity; this fact is useful for understanding the larger cosmological context of our home galaxy.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Measuring Fiber Positioning Accuracy and Throughput with Fiber Dithering for the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument

Highly multiplexed, fiber-fed spectroscopy is enabling surveys of millions of stars and galaxies. The performance of these surveys depends on accurately positioning fibers in the focal plane to capture target light. We describe a technique to measure the positioning accuracy of fibers by dithering fibers slightly around their ideal locations. This approach also enables measurement of the total system throughput and point-spread function delivered to the focal plane. We then apply this technique to observations from the Dark Energy Survey Instrument (DESI), and demonstrate that DESI positions fibers to within 0farcs08 of their targets (5% of a fiber diameter) and achieves a system throughput within about 7% of expectations.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗