Collaborative Research: Ultra-Precision Silicon Immersion Gratings Collaborative Research: Ultra-Precision Silicon Immersion Gratings for Infrared Spectroscopy

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This project is to develop a well-tested recipe for the production of large (30 centimeter) silicon immersion gratings with ultra-high groove precision. These devices are critical for future high resolution near-infrared spectrographs on 8meter and the next generation of 30 meter class telescopes. They will enable construction of compact instruments with high throughput and broadband continuous instantaneous wavelength coverage. The high resolution infrared spectroscopy will permit the indirect measurements of the physical conditions and chemical state of objects inaccessible at visible wavelengths, viz., cool objects and objects obscured by interstellar and circumstellar dust. This is important for the evolution of protostars and planetary systems, but also will be useful in the study of planets and brown dwarfs, and of the chemical evolution of the Galaxy. The immersion gratings will enhance the research infrastructure by serving as the critical element in a new generation of infrared spectrographs.