An Infrared Multi-Object Spectrograph (IRMS) with adaptive optics for TMT: the science case

Bahram Mobasher; David Crampton; Luc Simard

doi:10.1117/12.858061

20 July 2010 An Infrared Multi-Object Spectrograph (IRMS) with adaptive optics for TMT: the science case

Bahram Mobasher, David Crampton, Luc Simard

Proceedings Volume 7735, Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy III; 77355P (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.858061
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2010, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

It has been recognized that a Near-Infrared Multi-object Spectrograph (IRMS) as one of the first light instrument on the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) would significantly increase the scientific capability of the observatory. The IRMS is planned to be a clone of the MOSFIRE instrument on the Keck telescope. As a result, we use the already available MOSFIRE design and expertise, significantly reducing the total cost and its development time. The IRMS will be a quasi diffraction limited multi-slit spectrograph with moderate resolution (R~4000), fed by Narrow-Field Infrared Adaptive Optics System (NFIRAOS). It images over the 2 arcmin diameter field of view of the NFIRAOS. There are a number of exceedingly important scientific questions, waiting to be addressed by the TMT/IRMS combination. Given its relatively small field of view, it is less affected by the sky background, which is a limiting factor in ground-based observations at near-IR wavelengths. The IRMS is the ideal instrument for studying spectroscopic properties of galaxies at the re-ionization epoch (z > 7), where the Lyman alpha line shifts to the near-ir wavelenghths. It can be used to measure rotation curves of spiral and velocity dispersion of elliptical galaxies at z~2-3 and hence, their spectroscopic mass. It can be used to search for population III stars via their spectroscopic signature and to perform measurement of spectroscopic lines at high redshifts, diagnostic of metallicity. Finally, IRMS allows measurement of the blue shifts in the rest-frame MgII line for high redshift galaxies, used to study the winds, leading to the feedback mechanism, responsible for quenching star formation activity in galaxies.

Citation Download Citation

Bahram Mobasher, David Crampton, and Luc Simard "An Infrared Multi-Object Spectrograph (IRMS) with adaptive optics for TMT: the science case", Proc. SPIE 7735, Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy III, 77355P (20 July 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.858061

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