Prof. Michelle J. Creech-Eakman Profile

Prof. Michelle J. Creech-Eakman

Project Scientist/Professor of Physics at Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer

SPIE Involvement:

Author | Editor

Publications (57)

Proceedings Article | 28 August 2024 Presentation + Paper

Presentation + Paper

Performance verification results for the Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer (MROI)

Christopher Haniff, James Luis, David Buscher, Martin Fisher, Eugene Seneta, John Young, Donald M. Wilson, Juan Altamirano, Michelle Creech-Eakman, Melanie Giron, Jeffrey Mason, Hamed Momemi, Siavash Norouzi, Andres Olivares, Juan Pino, Van Romero, Chris Salcido, Rafael Santoro, Ian Schofield

Proceedings Volume 13095, 130950H (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3021202

KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Education and training, Beam path, Relays, Beam diameter, Telescopes, Optical components, Design, Beam combiners, Signal to noise ratio

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Proceedings Article | 28 August 2024 Poster + Paper

Poster + Paper

Portable in-vacuum computerized beam-relay subsystem for the Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer

I. Schofield, J. Altamirano, D. Buscher, M. Creech-Eakman, C. Haniff, J. Mason, H. Momeni

Proceedings Volume 13095, 1309529 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3021214

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Mirrors, Vacuum, Temperature sensors, Relays, Mirror mounts, Interferometers, Automatic alignment, Photodiodes, Optical alignment

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Proceedings Article | 28 August 2024 Poster + Paper

Poster + Paper

Designing the data reduction pipeline for FOURIER: the first light near-IR science beam combiner at the Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer

D. Frothingham, R. Norris, D. Buscher, M. Creech-Eakman, C. Haniff, A. Jorgensen, D. Mortimer, S. Rochelle, E. Seneta, J. Young

Proceedings Volume 13095, 130952X (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3021176

KEYWORDS: Data processing, Stars, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Interferograms

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Proceedings Article | 28 August 2024 Presentation + Paper

Presentation + Paper

Artemis-enabled Stellar Imager (AeSI): a Lunar long-baseline UV/optical imaging interferometer

Gioia Rau, Kenneth Carpenter, Tabetha Boyajian, Michelle Creech-Eakman, Julianne Foster, Margarita Karovska, David Leisawitz, Jon Morse, David Mozurkewich, Sarah Peacock, Noah Petro, Paul Scowen, Breann Sitarski, Gerard van Belle, Erik Wilkinson

Proceedings Volume 13095, 130951J (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3028797

KEYWORDS: Astronomical interferometers, Imaging systems, Stars, Interferometers, Stellar interferometry, Chemical elements, Ultraviolet radiation, Magnetism, Exoplanets, Engineering

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Proceedings Article | 28 August 2024 Paper

Paper

Recent progress with the Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer project

M. Creech-Eakman, V. Romero, C. Haniff, D. Buscher, J. Young, A. Olivares, C. Salcido, J. Altamirano, J. P. L. Barrios, R. Collins, W. Cook, A. Farris, M. Fisher, D. Frothingham, C. Gino, J. Giron, M. Giron, A. Haque, J. Hernandez, A. Jorgensen, L. Loskamp, J. J. Luis, J. Mason, H. Momeni, S. Norouzi, R. Norris, G. Owens, J. Pino, S. Rochelle, R. Santoro, I. Schofield, E. Seneta, J. Tilton, D. Wilson

Proceedings Volume 13095, 130950G (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3021250

KEYWORDS: Domes, Telescopes, Mirrors, Vacuum, Pipes, Polishing, Astronomical interferometers, Sensors, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Design, Analog to digital converters

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Proceedings Article | 28 August 2024 Poster + Paper

Poster + Paper

Designing an automated alignment system in fluctuating thermal environments for opto-mechanical components at MROI

H. Momeni, J. Altamirano, D. Buscher, M. Creech-Eakman, C. Haniff, J. Luis, J. Mason, S. Norouzi, A. Olivares, C. Salcido, R. Santoro, I. Schofield, E. Seneta, J. Young

Proceedings Volume 13095, 130952A (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3021200

KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Data modeling, Education and training, Sensors, Design, Relays, Interferometry, Motion models, Control systems, Automatic alignment

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Proceedings Article | 28 August 2024 Poster + Paper

Poster + Paper

Integration and site acceptance testing of light sources and sensors for automated beam train alignment at the MROI

James J. Luis, Juan Altamirano, David Buscher, Michelle Creech-Eakman, Christopher Haniff, Jeffrey Mason, Hamed Momeni, Siavash Norouzi, Andres Olivares, Chris Salcido, Rafael Santoro, Ian Schofield, Eugene Seneta, John Young

Proceedings Volume 13095, 130952B (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3021179

KEYWORDS: Cameras, Sensors, Mirrors, Telescopes, Wavefront errors, Light sources, Fluctuations and noise, Optical alignment, Relays

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Proceedings Article | 29 August 2022 Presentation + Paper

Presentation + Paper

The Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer: upcoming important milestones towards first fringes

M. Creech-Eakman, V. Romero, C. Haniff, D. Buscher, J. Young, C. Salcido, G. Chavez, R. Collins, W. Cook, C. Gino, J. Giron, A. Farris, R. Norris, J. Pino, E. Seneta, X. Sun, J. J. Luis, D. Mortimer, I. Ahmed, D. Frothingham, J. Mason, H. Momeni, D. Neal, S. Norouzi, G. Owens, J. Verner, V. Gamiz, G. Crockett

Proceedings Volume 12183, 1218305 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2630694

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Interferometers, Software development, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Infrared telescopes, Electronics, Optical tracking, Long baseline optical interferometry, Infrared imaging

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Proceedings Article | 26 August 2022 Presentation + Paper

Presentation + Paper

Factory acceptance of the automated alignment system for the Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer

James J. Luis, David Buscher, Michelle Creech-Eakman, Chris Haniff, Chris Salcido, Xiaowei Sun, John Young

Proceedings Volume 12183, 121830P (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2630431

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Wavelength division multiplexing, Telescopes, Single mode fibers, Infrared radiation, Mirrors, Interferometers, Visible radiation, Collimation, Cameras

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Proceedings Article | 26 August 2022 Poster + Paper

Poster + Paper

Cryogenic performance of FOURIER, the initial science combiner at the MROI

Daniel Mortimer, David Buscher, Michelle Creech-Eakman, Chris Haniff, Christopher Salcido, Eugene Seneta, Xiaowei Sun, John Young

Proceedings Volume 12183, 1218323 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2629499

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Cryogenics, Spectral resolution, Light sources, K band, Zemax, Prisms, Photons, Visibility

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Proceedings Article | 13 December 2020 Presentation + Paper

Presentation + Paper

First laboratory results from FOURIER, the initial science combiner at the MROI

Daniel Mortimer, David Buscher, Michelle Creech-Eakman, Chris Haniff, Edgar Ligon, James Luis, Christopher Salcido, Eugene Seneta, Xiaowei Sun, John Young

Proceedings Volume 11446, 114460V (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2561472

KEYWORDS: Free space optics, K band, Interferometry, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Interferometers, Sensors, Free space, Spatial filters

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Proceedings Article | 13 December 2020 Presentation + Paper

Presentation + Paper

Setting the stage for first fringes with the Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer

M. Creech-Eakman, V. Romero, C. Haniff, D. Buscher, J. Young, A. Olivares, E. Ligon, I. Payne, B. Avila, S. Blevins, N. Chowdhury, R. Collins, C. Dahl, D. Das Roy, J. Dooley, D. Etscorn, S. Etscorn, A. Farris, M. Fisher, E. Garcia, M. Gabaldon, C. Gino, R. Halder, O. Hosseini, B. Jaynes, L. Jencka, P. Johnston, S. Jojola, J. Luis, J. Maes, W. Martin, T. Matthews, C. McKeen, S. Mohammadi, D. Mortimer, S. Norouzi, D. Ochoa, B. Panta, J. Pino, I. Salayandia, C. Salcido, A. Sanchez, F. Santoro, E. B. Seneta, X. Sun, D. Wilson, J. Wolfram

Proceedings Volume 11446, 1144609 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2563173

KEYWORDS: Interferometers, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Telescopes, Infrared telescopes, Infrared imaging, Infrared radiation, Optical instrument design, Beam controllers, Control systems, Sensors

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Proceedings Article | 10 July 2018 Paper

Paper

Weather trends at the Magdalena Ridge Observatory

D. Klinglesmith, D. Buscher, M. Creech-Eakman, D. Etscorn, E. Garcia, C. Gino

Proceedings Volume 10704, 107042B (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2312682

KEYWORDS: Astronomy, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Observatories, Clouds, Meteorology, Humidity, Interferometers

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There have been astronomical observatories on Magdalena Ridge in south-central New Mexico since the late 1960s. Magdalena Ridge is relatively flat, at an average elevation of 10,560 feet (3220 meters) with a north-south length of 3/4 of a mile. In 2000 the Magdalena Ridge Observatory began site testing for two new facilities: a 2.4-meter optical telescope and a 10-element optical interferometer. As part of that testing, meteorological instrumentation was deployed at several locations across the mountain. As a result, we have an 18 year history of regular experience with the environment, including weather and cloud cover data for much of this time period. We present trends in the basic meteorological parameters: temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, wind speeds and directions, and cloud cover. Diurnal temperatures ranges vary from 15 C° in the spring when it is largest to 10 C° in the summer months when it is smallest. Barometric pressure varies more in the spring and fall than in the summer. Annual rain fall levels vary greatly with an average of about 10 inches of rain per year. The snow amounts have traditionally been very hard to measure as the area is partly above the tree line and wind-blown snow can leave parts of the region barren while other parts have a foot or more of snow. Winds speeds are typically 10 to 20 miles per hour. Wind speeds have been measured above 100 mph (45 m/s), with wind gusts as high as 125 mph (56 m/s), though this is primarily a spring phenomenon. The wind direction is predominately out of the Southwest. Wind speeds at the 2.4-meter telescope location are frequently 2 times as high wind speeds at the optical interferometer site due to the differences in terrain to the West of the two sites. An optical allsky camera has been in operation on the Ridge from 2003 to 2012 with nightly sequences of images obtained on most nights when the winds were less than 15 m/s and the humidity below 90%. Analysis of this imagery shows that a majority of the nights would be useable for astronomical observations. We present an overview of statistics of the site and discuss how these statistics will be used for defining appropriate operational windows for the Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer.

Proceedings Article | 9 July 2018 Presentation + Paper

Presentation + Paper

The Magdalena Ridge Observatory interferometer: first light and deployment of the first telescope on the array

M. Creech-Eakman, V. Romero, I. Payne, C. Haniff, D. Buscher, J. Young, F. Santoro, R. Blasi, C. Dahl, J. Dooley, D. Etscorn, A. Farris, M. Fisher, E. Garcia, C. Gino, B. Jaynes, L. Jencka, P. Johnston, C. Jurgenson, R. Kelly, D. Klinglesmith, E. R. Ligon, J. Luis, T. McCracken, C. McKeen, D. Mortimer, D. Ochoa, A. Olivares, J. Pino, C. Salcido, L. Schmidt, E. Seneta, X. Sun, D. Wilson

Proceedings Volume 10701, 1070106 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2314155

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Space telescopes, Interferometers, Mirrors, Interferometry, Sensors, Relays, Optical instrument design, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Reflector telescopes

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The Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer (MROI) has been under development for almost two decades. Initial funding for the facility started before the year 2000 under the Army and then Navy, and continues today through the Air Force Research Laboratory. With a projected total cost of substantially less than $200M, it represents the least expensive way to produce sub-milliarcsecond optical/near-infrared images that the astronomical community could invest in during the modern era, as compared, for instance, to extremely large telescopes or space interferometers. The MROI, when completed, will be comprised of 10 x1.4m diameter telescopes distributed on a Y-shaped array such that it will have access to spatial scales ranging from about 40 milliarcseconds down to less than 0.5 milliarcseconds. While this type of resolution is not unprecedented in the astronomical community, the ability to track fringes on and produce images of complex targets approximately 5 magnitudes fainter than is done today represents a substantial step forward. All this will be accomplished using a variety of approaches detailed in several papers from our team over the years. Together, these two factors, multiple telescopes deployed over very long-baselines coupled with fainter limiting magnitudes, will allow MROI to conduct science on a wide range and statistically meaningful samples of targets. These include pulsating and rapidly rotating stars, mass-loss via accretion and mass-transfer in interacting systems, and the highly-active environments surrounding black holes at the centers of more than 100 external galaxies. This represents a subsample of what is sure to be a tremendous and serendipitous list of science cases as we move ahead into the era of new space telescopes and synoptic surveys. Additional investigations into imaging man-made objects will be undertaken, which are of particular interest to the defense and space-industry communities as more human endeavors are moved into the space environment.

In 2016 the first MROI telescope was delivered and deployed at Magdalena Ridge in the maintenance facility. Having undergone initial check-out and fitting the system with optics and a fast tip-tilt system, we eagerly anticipate installing the telescope enclosure in 2018. The telescope and enclosure will be integrated at the facility and moved to the center of the interferometric array by late summer of 2018 with a demonstration of the performance of an entire beamline from telescope to beam combiner table shortly thereafter. At this point, deploying two more telescopes and demonstrating fringe-tracking, bootstrapping and limiting magnitudes for the facility will prove the full promise of MROI. A complete status update of all subsystems follows in the paper, as well as discussions of potential collaborative initiatives.

Proceedings Article | 9 July 2018 Paper

Paper

Aperture synthesis imaging of colored GEO objects

John Young, Christopher Haniff, David Buscher, Tanish Satoor, Matthew Le Maître, Michelle Creech-Eakman, Ifan Payne

Proceedings Volume 10701, 107012F (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2313231

KEYWORDS: Satellites, Telescopes, Satellite imaging, Data modeling, Interferometers, Spatial resolution, Image restoration

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Proceedings Article | 9 July 2018 Paper

Paper

Planet formation imager: project update

John Monnier, Michael Ireland, Stefan Kraus, Almudena Alonso-Herrero, Amy Bonsor, Fabien Baron, Amelia Bayo, Jean-Philippe Berger, Tabetha Boyajian, Andrea Chiavassa, David Ciardi, Michelle Creech-Eakman, Willem-Jan de Wit, Denis Defrère, Ruobing Dong, Gaspard Duchêne, Catherine Espaillat, Alexandre Gallenne, Poshak Gandhi, Jean-Francois Gonzalez, Chris Haniff, Sebastian Hoenig, John Ilee, Andrea Isella, Eric Jensen, Attila Juhasz, Stephen Kane, Makoto Kishimoto, Wilhelm Kley, Quentin Kral, Kaitlin Kratter, Lucas Labadie, Sylvestre Lacour, Greg Laughlin, Jean-Baptiste Le Bouquin, Ernest Michael, Farzana Meru, Rafael Millan-Gabet, Florentin Millour, Stefano Minardi, Alessandro Morbidelli, Chris Mordasini, Andreas Morlok, Dave Mozurkewich, Richard Nelson, Johan Olofsson, Rene Oudmaijer, Chris Packham, Claudia Paladini, Olja Panic, Romain Petrov, Benjamin Pope, Joerg-Uwe Pott, Luis Henry Quiroga-Nunez, Cristina Ramos Almeida, Sean Raymond, Zsolt Regaly, Mark Reynolds, Stephen Ridgway, Stephen Rinehart, Matthias Schreiber, Michael Smith, Keivan Stassun, Jean Surdej, Theo ten Brummelaar, Konrad Tristram, Neal Turner, Peter Tuthill, Gerard van Belle, Gautum Vasisht, Alexander Wallace, Gerd Weigelt, Edward Wishnow, Markus Wittkowski, Sebastian Wolf, John Young, Ming Zhao, Zhaohuan Zhu, Sebastian Zúñiga-Fernández

Proceedings Volume 10701, 1070118 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2312683

KEYWORDS: Planets, Telescopes, Space telescopes, Exoplanets, Stars, Mid-IR, Interferometry, Signal to noise ratio, Interferometers, Heterodyning

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Proceedings Article | 9 July 2018 Paper

Paper

The MROI fringe tracking system: camera hardware modifications to integrate the SAPHIRA detector

R. Ligon, C. Salcido, D. Buscher, M. Creech-Eakman, C. Haniff, F. Santoro, C. Jurgenson, T. McCracken, L. Schmidt, J. Young

Proceedings Volume 10701, 107010D (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2312673

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Spectrographs, Cameras, Optical alignment, Electronics, Monochromatic aberrations, Imaging systems, Tolerancing, Zemax, Interferometry

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Proceedings Article | 9 July 2018 Paper

Paper

Initial steps toward a new method of atmospheric characterization over long baseline arrays

J. Dooley, M. Creech-Eakman

Proceedings Volume 10701, 107010I (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2313853

KEYWORDS: Signal processing, Wavelets, Humidity, Interferometers, Calibration, Observatories, Astronomy, Wavefronts

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Proceedings Article | 9 July 2018 Paper

Paper

Towards integration of the Unit Telescope for the Magdalena Ridge Observatory interferometer

Andres Olivares, Fernando Santoro, Christopher Salcido, Robert Ligon, Chuck Dahl, Perry Johnston, Robert Blasi, Allen Farris, Dylan Etscorn, Michelle Creech-Eakman, Ifan Payne, John Young, Davide Marzotto, Olivier Pirnay

Proceedings Volume 10701, 107010P (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2312908

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Interferometers, Mirrors, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Optical alignment, Safety, Telecommunications, Cameras, Analytical research, Optical fabrication

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Proceedings Article | 6 July 2018 Paper

Paper

The new NESSI: refurbishment of an NIR MOS for characterizing exoplanets using the Hale telescope

M. Creech-Eakman, M. Swain, R. Zellem, A. Olivares, C. Salcido, L. Schmidt, C. Jurgenson, K. Pearson, F. Santoro, G. Vasisht

Proceedings Volume 10702, 107023K (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2314242

KEYWORDS: Exoplanets, Cryogenics, Near infrared, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Near infrared spectroscopy, Sensors

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Proceedings Article | 4 August 2016 Paper

Paper

Architecture design study and technology road map for the Planet Formation Imager (PFI)

John Monnier, Michael Ireland, Stefan Kraus, Fabien Baron, Michelle Creech-Eakman, Ruobing Dong, Andrea Isella, Antoine Merand, Ernest Michael, Stefano Minardi, David Mozurkewich, Romain Petrov, Stephen Rinehart, Theo ten Brummelaar, Gautam Vasisht, Ed Wishnow, John Young, Zhaohuan Zhu

Proceedings Volume 9907, 99071O (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2233311

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Planets, Imaging systems, Mid-IR, Heterodyning, Stars, Signal to noise ratio, Image restoration, L band, Visibility

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The Planet Formation Imager (PFI) Project has formed a Technical Working Group (TWG) to explore possible facility architectures to meet the primary PFI science goal of imaging planet formation in situ in nearby starforming regions. The goals of being sensitive to dust emission on solar system scales and resolving the Hill-sphere around forming giant planets can best be accomplished through sub-milliarcsecond imaging in the thermal infrared. Exploiting the 8-13 micron atmospheric window, a ground-based long-baseline interferometer with approximately 20 apertures including 10km baselines will have the necessary resolution to image structure down 0.1 milliarcseconds (0.014 AU) for T Tauri disks in Taurus. Even with large telescopes, this array will not have the sensitivity to directly track fringes in the mid-infrared for our prime targets and a fringe tracking system will be necessary in the near-infrared. While a heterodyne architecture using modern mid-IR laser comb technology remains a competitive option (especially for the intriguing 24 and 40μm atmospheric windows), the prioritization of 3-5μm observations of CO/H2O vibrotational levels by the PFI-Science Working Group (SWG) pushes the TWG to require vacuum pipe beam transport with potentially cooled optics. We present here a preliminary study of simulated L- and N-band PFI observations of a realistic 4-planet disk simulation, finding 21x2.5m PFI can easily detect the accreting protoplanets in both L and N-band but can see non-accreting planets only in L band. We also find that even an ambitious PFI will lack sufficient surface brightness sensitivity to image details of the fainter emission from dust structures beyond 5 AU, unless directly illuminated or heated by local energy sources. That said, the utility of PFI at N-band is highly dependent on the stage of planet formation in the disk and we require additional systematic studies in conjunction with the PFI-SWG to better understand the science capabilities of PFI, including the potential to resolve protoplanetary disks in emission lines to measure planet masses using position-velocity diagrams. We advocate for a specific technology road map in order to reduce the current cost driver (telescopes) and to validate high accuracy fringe tracking and high dynamic range imaging at L, M band. In conclusion, no technology show-stoppers have been identified for PFI to date, however there is high potential for breakthroughs in medium-aperture (4-m class) telescopes architecture that could reduce the cost of PFI by a factor of 2 or more.

Proceedings Article | 4 August 2016 Paper

Paper

High fidelity imaging of geosynchronous satellites with the MROI

John Young, Christopher Haniff, David Buscher, Michelle Creech-Eakman, Ifan Payne

Proceedings Volume 9907, 99073I (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2232473

KEYWORDS: Satellite imaging, Telescopes, Satellites, Spatial resolution, Interferometry, Earth observing sensors, Interferometers, Satellites, Earth observing sensors, Visibility, Spatial frequencies, Space telescopes

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Proceedings Article | 4 August 2016 Paper

Paper

A new path to first light for the Magdalena Ridge Observatory interferometer

M. Creech-Eakman, V. Romero, I. Payne, C. Haniff, D. Buscher, J. Young, R. Cervantes, C. Dahl, A. Farris, M. Fisher, P. Johnston, D. Klinglesmith, H. Love, D. Ochoa, A. Olivares, J. Pino, C. Salcido, F. Santoro, L. Schmidt, E. Seneta, X. Sun, L. Jenka, R. Kelly, J. Price, A. Rea, J. Riker, S. Rochelle

Proceedings Volume 9907, 990705 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2233910

KEYWORDS: Interferometry, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Interferometers, Space telescopes, Telescopes, Situational awareness sensors, Space telescopes, Telescopes, Relays, Infrared radiation, Interfaces, Sensors

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The Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer (MROI) was the most ambitious infrared interferometric facility conceived of in 2003 when funding began. Today, despite having suffered some financial short-falls, it is still one of the most ambitious interferometric imaging facilities ever designed. With an innovative approach to attaining the original goal of fringe tracking to H = 14^th magnitude via completely redesigned mobile telescopes, and a unique approach to the beam train and delay lines, the MROI will be able to image faint and complex objects with milliarcsecond resolutions for a fraction of the cost of giant telescopes or space-based facilities. The design goals of MROI have been optimized for studying stellar astrophysical processes such as mass loss and mass transfer, the formation and evolution of YSOs and their disks, and the environs of nearby AGN.

The global needs for Space Situational Awareness (SSA) have moved to the forefront in many communities as Space becomes a more integral part of a national security portfolio. These needs drive imaging capabilities ultimately to a few tens of centimeter resolution at geosynchronous orbits. Any array capable of producing images on faint and complex geosynchronous objects in just a few hours will be outstanding not only as an astrophysical tool, but also for these types of SSA missions. With the recent infusion of new funding from the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) in Albuquerque, NM, MROI will be able to attain first light, first fringes, and demonstrate bootstrapping with three telescopes by 2020.

MROI’s current status along with a sketch of our activities over the coming 5 years will be presented, as well as clear opportunities to collaborate on various aspects of the facility as it comes online. Further funding is actively being sought to accelerate the capability of the array for interferometric imaging on a short time-scale so as to achieve the original goals of this ambitious facility

Proceedings Article | 24 July 2014 Paper

Paper

The MROI fringe tracker: laboratory tracking with ICONN

T. McCracken, C. Jurgenson, J. Young, E. Seneta, D. Buscher, C. Haniff, M. Creech-Eakman, F. Santoro, A. Shtromberg, L. Schmidt, S. Rochelle

Proceedings Volume 9146, 91461E (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2055603

KEYWORDS: Visibility, Sensors, Wavefronts, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Interferometers, Detection and tracking algorithms, Mirrors, Polarization, Spectrographs, Optical alignment

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Proceedings Article | 24 July 2014 Paper

Paper

Magdalena Ridge Observatory interferometer: 2014 status update

M. Creech-Eakman, V. Romero, I. Payne, C. Haniff, D. Buscher, C. Dahl, A. Farris, M. Fisher, C. Jurgenson, D. Klinglesmith, T. McCracken, M. Napolitano, A. Olivares, J. Riker, S. Rochelle, C. Salcido, F. Santoro, L. Schmidt, R. Selina, E. Seneta, A. Shtromberg, X. Sun, D.M.A. Wilson, J. Young

Proceedings Volume 9146, 91460H (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2057331

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Interferometers, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Mirrors, Space telescopes, Observatories, Relays, Optical alignment, Prototyping, Optical instrument design

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Proceedings Article | 24 September 2012 Paper

Paper

Mechanical design of NESSI: New Mexico Tech extrasolar spectroscopic survey instrument

Fernando Santoro, Andres Olivares, Christopher Salcido, Stephen Jimenez, Colby Jurgenson, Michelle Creech-Eakman, Michael Hrynevych, Luke Schmidt, Heather Bloemhard, Matt Napolitano, Robert Selina, Penelope Boston, Gautam Vasisht, Mark Swain, Pieter Deroo

Proceedings Volume 8446, 84469G (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.926282

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Spectrographs, Interfaces, Optomechanical design, Optical alignment, Aluminum, Space telescopes, Mechanical engineering, Optical fabrication, Mirrors

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Proceedings Article | 24 September 2012 Paper

Paper

NESSI: an optimized Near-Infrared (NIR) Multi-Object Spectrograph (MOS) for exoplanet studies

M. Creech-Eakman, C. Jurgenson, F. Santoro, H. Bloemhard, P. Boston, P. Deroo, M. Hrynevych, S. Jimenez, A. Olivares, M. Napolitano, C. Salcido, L. Schmidt, R. Selina, M. Swain, G. Vasisht

Proceedings Volume 8446, 84467Y (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.927173

KEYWORDS: Exoplanets, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Telescopes, Spectroscopy, Astronomical imaging, Spectroscopes, Sensors, Spectrographs, Stars, Near infrared

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Proceedings Article | 12 September 2012 Paper

Paper

The MROI fringe tracker: closing the loop on ICoNN

T. McCracken, C. Jurgenson, F. Santoro, A. Shtromberg, V. Alvidrez, N. Torres, C. Dahl, A. Farris, D. Buscher, C. Haniff, J. Young, E. Seneta, M. Creech-Eakman

Proceedings Volume 8445, 84451N (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.925457

KEYWORDS: Modulators, Sensors, Spectrographs, Cameras, Modulation, Interferometers, Light sources, Control systems, Detection and tracking algorithms, Calibration

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Proceedings Article | 12 September 2012 Paper

Paper

The Magdalena Ridge Observatory interferometer: a status update

M. Creech-Eakman, V. Romero, I. Payne, C. Haniff, D. Buscher, V. Alvidrez, C. Dahl, J. Deninger, A. Farris, S. Jimenez, C. Jurgenson, R. King, D. Klinglesmith, T. McCracken, A. Olivares, C. Salcido, Fernando Santoro, John Seamons, Robert Selina, Alisa Shtromberg, J Steenson, Nick Torres, Martin Fisher, E. Seneta, X. Sun, D. Wilson, John Young

Proceedings Volume 8445, 84450P (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.926516

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Interferometers, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Relays, Mirrors, Observatories, Prototyping, Computing systems, Optical alignment, Space telescopes

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Proceedings Article | 12 September 2012 Paper

Paper

The MROI's capabilities for imaging geosynchronous satellites

John Young, Christopher Haniff, David Buscher, Michelle Creech-Eakman, Ifan Payne, Colby Jurgenson, Van Romero

Proceedings Volume 8445, 84452N (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.926161

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Satellites, Interferometers, Satellite imaging, Interferometry, Solar cells, Space telescopes, K band, Signal to noise ratio, Image restoration

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Proceedings Article | 12 September 2012 Paper

Paper

Final mechanical and opto-mechanical design of the Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer

Fernando Santoro, Andres Olivares, Chris Salcido, Stephen Jimenez, Colby Jurgenson, Xiaowei Sun, Christopher Haniff, David Buscher, Michelle Creech-Eakman, Robert Selina, Tyler McCracken, John Young, Martin Fisher, Dan Klinglesmith, Nicolas Torres, Chuck Dahl, Alisa Shtromberg, Donald M. Wilson

Proceedings Volume 8445, 84452K (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.926501

KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Telescopes, Sensors, Spectrographs, Prisms, Aluminum, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Prototyping, Laser metrology, Metrology

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Proceedings Article | 22 July 2010 Paper

Paper

Mechanical design of the Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer

Fernando Santoro, Andres Olivares, Chris Salcido, Stephen Jimenez, Xiaowei Sun, Christopher Haniff, David Buscher, Michelle Creech-Eakman, Colby Jurgenson, Alisa Shtromberg, Eric Bakker, Rob Selina, Martin Fisher, John Young, Donald M. Wilson

Proceedings Volume 7734, 773444 (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.856591

KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Telescopes, Mechanical engineering, Fourier transforms, Optical benches, Interferometers, Spectrographs, Aluminum, Beam splitters, Simulation of CCA and DLA aggregates

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Proceedings Article | 22 July 2010 Paper

Paper

Assembly and integration activities moving toward commissioning of the Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer

Eric Bakker, Andres Olivares, Fernando Santoro, Ifan Payne, Rob Selina, Dan Klinglesmith, Allen Farris, Ron King, Colby Jurgenson, John Seamons, Nicolas Torres, Michelle Creech-Eakman, Krista McCord

Proceedings Volume 7734, 77340V (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.856468

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Interferometers, Optical instrument design, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Space telescopes, Mirrors, Observatories, Interferometry, Optics manufacturing, Computer aided design

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Proceedings Article | 22 July 2010 Paper

Paper

Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer: advancing to first light and new science

M. Creech-Eakman, V. Romero, I. Payne, C. Haniff, D. Buscher, C. Aitken, C. Anderson, E. Bakker, T. Coleman, C. Dahl, A. Farris, S. Jiminez, C. Jurgenson, R. King, D. Klinglesmith, K. McCord, T. McCracken, K. Nyland, A. Olivares, M. Richmond, M. Romero, C. Salcido, J. Sandoval, F. Santoro, J. Seamons, R. Selina, A. Shtromberg, J. Steenson, N. Torres, D. Westpfahl, F. Baron, M. Fisher, E. Seneta, X. Sun, D. Wilson, J. Young

Proceedings Volume 7734, 773406 (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.857359

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Interferometers, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Neodymium, Observatories, Sensors, Mirrors, Infrared radiation, Wavefronts, Field emission displays

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Proceedings Article | 22 July 2010 Paper

Paper

The MROI fringe tracker: first fringe experiment

C. Jurgenson, F. Santoro, T. McCracken, K. McCord, A. Shtromberg, D. Klinglesmith, A. Olivarez, D. Buscher, M. Creech-Eakman, C. Haniff, J. Young

Proceedings Volume 7734, 773446 (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.857128

KEYWORDS: Spectrographs, Sensors, Interferometers, Telescopes, Modulation, Temperature metrology, Cameras, Visibility, Optical filters, Calibration

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Proceedings Article | 22 July 2010 Paper

Paper

Imaging simulations of selected science with the Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer

Michelle Creech-Eakman, John Young, Christopher Haniff, David Buscher, Martin Elvis, Andrea Chiavassa, Marc Schartmann

Proceedings Volume 7734, 77343D (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.858359

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Interferometers, Image restoration, Spatial resolution, Interferometry, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Data modeling, Stars, Visibility, Clouds

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Proceedings Article | 15 July 2010 Paper

Paper

NESSI: the New Mexico Tech Extrasolar Spectroscopic Survey Instrument

C. Jurgenson, F. Santoro, M. Creech-Eakman, K. Houairi, H. Bloemhard, G. Vasisht, M. Swain, P. Deroo, C. Moore, L. Schmidt, P. Boston, D. Rodeheffer, P. Chen

Proceedings Volume 7735, 773519 (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.856514

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Exoplanets, Spectrographs, Space telescopes, Infrared telescopes, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Sensors, Prisms, Spectroscopes, Calibration

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Proceedings Article | 28 July 2008 Paper

Paper

Fringe tracking at the MROI

C. Jurgenson, F. Santoro, F. Baron, K. McCord, E. Block, D. Buscher, C. Haniff, J. Young, T. Coleman, M. Creech-Eakman

Proceedings Volume 7013, 70131C (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.788223

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Mirrors, Spectrographs, Sensors, Modulators, Modulation, Optical mounts, Optical alignment, Optical instrument design, Detection and tracking algorithms

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Proceedings Article | 28 July 2008 Paper

Paper

Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer: progress toward first light

M. Creech-Eakman, V. Romero, D. Westpfahl, C. Cormier, C. Haniff, D. Buscher, E. Bakker, L. Berger, E. Block, T. Coleman, P. Festler, C. Jurgenson, R. King, D. Klinglesmith, K. McCord, A. Olivares, C. Parameswariah, I. Payne, T. Paz, E. Ryan, C. Salcido, F. Santoro, R. Selina, A. Shtromberg, J. Steenson, F. Baron, R. Boysen, J. Coyne, M. Fisher, E. Seneta, X. Sun, N. Thureau, D. Wilson, J. Young

Proceedings Volume 7013, 70130X (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.789859

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Interferometers, Sensors, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Observatories, Optical instrument design, Buildings, Mirrors, Infrared telescopes, Interferometry

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Proceedings Article | 28 July 2008 Paper

Paper

The Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer: custom near-IR beamsplitter and AR coatings

E. Block, C. Jurgenson, D. Buscher, C. Haniff, J. Young, M. Creech-Eakman, A. Jaramillo, R. Schmell

Proceedings Volume 7013, 70133M (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.788229

KEYWORDS: Visibility, Beam splitters, Optical coatings, Antireflective coatings, Polarization, Fourier transforms, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Reflection, Telescopes, Interferometers

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Proceedings Article | 28 July 2008 Paper

Paper

A high-sensitivity near-infrared science combiner for MROI

Fabien Baron, Erica Block, David Buscher, Julien Coyne, Michelle Creech-Eakman, Christopher Haniff, Colby Jurgenson, John Young

Proceedings Volume 7013, 701325 (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.789234

KEYWORDS: Visibility, Signal to noise ratio, Sensors, Mirrors, Telescopes, Spectral resolution, K band, Calibration, Interferometers, Interferometry

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Proceedings Article | 7 September 2006 Paper

Paper

The Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer: a high-sensitivity imaging array

D. Buscher, E. Bakker, T. Coleman, M. Creech-Eakman, C. Haniff, C. Jurgenson, D. Klinglesmith, C. Parameswariah, J. Young

Proceedings Volume 6307, 63070B (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.684422

KEYWORDS: Interferometers, Telescopes, Interferometry, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Optical instrument design, Reflection, Wavefronts, Cameras, Adaptive optics, Imaging arrays

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Proceedings Article | 29 June 2006 Paper

Paper

Engineering overview of the conceptual design and hardware/software implementation proposed for the Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer

Chethan Parameswariah, Eric Bakker, David Buscher, Tom Coleman, Michelle Creech-Eakman, Chris Haniff, Colby Jurgenson, Dan Klinglesmith, John Young

Proceedings Volume 6268, 62683O (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.672526

KEYWORDS: Interferometers, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Telescopes, Control systems, Control systems design, Optical instrument design, Computer architecture, Relays, Observatories, Metrology

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Proceedings Article | 28 June 2006 Paper

Paper

Beam combiner studies for the Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer

Fabien Baron, David Buscher, Julien Coyne, Michelle Creech-Eakman, Chris Haniff, Colby Jurgenson, John Young

Proceedings Volume 6268, 62681R (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.671174

KEYWORDS: Visibility, Signal to noise ratio, Mirrors, Calibration, Glasses, Staring arrays, Interferometers, Sensors, Spectrographs, Magdalena Ridge Observatory

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Proceedings Article | 28 June 2006 Paper

Paper

Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer: status update

M. Creech-Eakman, E. Bakker, D. Buscher, T. Coleman, C. Haniff, C. Jurgenson, D. Klinglesmith, C. Parameswariah, V. Romero, A. Shtromberg, J. Young

Proceedings Volume 6268, 62681V (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.672643

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Interferometers, Cameras, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Infrared radiation, Imaging systems, Sensors, Observatories, Optical instrument design, Simulation of CCA and DLA aggregates

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Proceedings Article | 28 June 2006 Paper

Paper

MROI's automated alignment system

C. Jurgenson, D. Buscher, M. Creech-Eakman, C. Haniff, J. Young, T. Coleman, C. Parameswariah, E. Seneta, E. Bakker

Proceedings Volume 6268, 62683Y (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.672531

KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Telescopes, Relays, Interferometers, Optical alignment, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Beam shaping, Optical fabrication, Cameras, Actuators

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Proceedings Article | 26 June 2006 Paper

Paper

Project management of an imaging optical interferometer

E. Bakker, M. Creech-Eakman

Proceedings Volume 6271, 62711G (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.689103

KEYWORDS: Interferometers, Telescopes, Observatories, Astronomy, Optical components, Optical imaging, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Buildings, Optical instrument design, Space telescopes

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Proceedings Article | 15 September 2005 Paper

Paper

The Keck interferometer nuller (KIN): configuration, measurement approach, and first results

E. Serabyn, E. Appleby, J. Bell, A. Booth, J. Chin, M. Colavita, S. Crawford, M. Creech-Eakman, W. Dahl, J. Fanson, J. Garcia, J. Gathright, E. Hovland, M. Hrynevych, C. Koresko, R. Ligon, B. Mennesson, J. Moore, D. Palmer, T. Panteleeva, C. Paine, S. Ragland, L. Reder, T. Saloga, R. Smythe, C. Tyau, K. Tsubota, G. Vasisht, E. Wetherell, P. Wizinowich, J. Woillez

Proceedings Volume 5905, 59050T (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.618228

KEYWORDS: Nulling interferometry, Metrology, Beam splitters, Near infrared, Cameras, Stars, Mirrors, Interferometers, K band, Keck Observatory

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Proceedings Article | 20 October 2004 Paper

Paper

The Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer: a fully optimized aperture synthesis array for imaging

Michelle Creech-Eakman, David Buscher, Christopher Haniff, Van Romero

Proceedings Volume 5491, (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.552115

KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Interferometers, Sensors, Imaging arrays, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Stars, Interferometry, Cameras, Optical instrument design, Galactic astronomy

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Proceedings Article | 20 October 2004 Paper

Paper

The Keck interferometer nuller: system architecture and laboratory performance

Eugene Serabyn, Andrew Booth, M. Colavita, Michelle Creech-Eakman, Samuel Crawford, Jean Garcia, Richard Johnson, Erik Hovland, C. Koresko, Edgar Ligon, Stefan Martin, Bertrand Mennesson, James Moore, Dean Palmer, Christopher Paine, Michael Shao, Mark Swain, Robert Smythe, Gautam Vasisht

Proceedings Volume 5491, (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.552195

KEYWORDS: Nulling interferometry, Beam splitters, Metrology, Interferometers, Cameras, Stars, Mid-IR, Keck Observatory, Interferometry, Signal detection

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Proceedings Article | 20 October 2004 Paper

Paper

A new instrument for measuring atmospheric turbulence

Danny Jacobs, Brett Edwards, Zak Stelly, Ivana Gorgievska, David Westpfahl, Daniel Klinglesmith, Michelle Creech-Eakman

Proceedings Volume 5491, (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.550850

KEYWORDS: Turbulence, Observatories, Atmospheric turbulence, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Digital recording, Atmospheric sensing, Motion measurement, Atmospheric monitoring, Amplifiers, Astronomy

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Proceedings Article | 20 October 2004 Paper

Paper

Astronomical site monitoring system for the Magdalena Ridge Observatory

Daniel Klinglesmith, R. Alvarado, Michelle Creech-Eakman, Bridget O'Donovan, Eugene Seneta, John Young

Proceedings Volume 5491, (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.552145

KEYWORDS: Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Astronomy, Telescopes, Interferometers, Cameras, Clouds, Imaging systems, Temperature metrology, Environmental sensing, Humidity

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Proceedings Article | 7 March 2003 Paper

Paper

KALI Camera: mid-infrared camera for the Keck interferometer nuller

Michelle Creech-Eakman, James Moore, Dean Palmer, Eugene Serabyn

Proceedings Volume 4841, (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.459962

KEYWORDS: Cameras, Interferometers, Nulling interferometry, Optical filters, Mid-IR, Electronics, Cryogenics, Bandpass filters, Prisms, Liquids

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Proceedings Article | 21 February 2003 Paper

Paper

Results from the PTI's studies of the spectral angular diameters of Mira variables

Robert Thompson, Michelle Creech-Eakman, Gerard van Belle

Proceedings Volume 4838, (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.459126

KEYWORDS: Stars, K band, Opacity, Oxygen, Carbon, Visibility, Visualization, Atmospheric chemistry, Atmospheric physics, Interferometers

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Proceedings Article | 21 February 2003 Paper

Paper

Tabletop mid-infrared nulling testbed for the Keck interferometer and the Terrestrial Planet Finder

Christopher Koresko, Bertrand Mennesson, Samuel Crawford, Michelle Creech-Eakman, J. Kent Wallace, Eugene Serabyn

Proceedings Volume 4838, (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.458017

KEYWORDS: Nulling interferometry, Sensors, Signal detection, Beam splitters, Interferometers, Mid-IR, Mirrors, Thermography, Light sources, Modulation

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Proceedings Article | 14 February 2003 Paper

Paper

Comparison of commercially available polarizing gratings for mid-infrared studies

Michelle Creech-Eakman, Thomas Leonard, Jason Geis, Eugene Serabyn

Proceedings Volume 4843, (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.458650

KEYWORDS: Polarizers, Polarization, Mid-IR, Sensors, Fourier transforms, Semiconductor lasers, Manufacturing, Optics manufacturing, Attenuators, Signal detection

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Proceedings Article | 14 October 1996 Paper

Paper

TGIRS: a two-grating (mid) infrared spectrometer

Michelle Creech-Eakman, Dimitri Klebe, Robert Stencel, W. John Williams

Proceedings Volume 2814, (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.254153

KEYWORDS: Infrared spectroscopy, Spectroscopy, Optical design, Mirrors, Infrared radiation, Aluminum, Astronomy, Staring arrays, Cryogenics, Electronics

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Showing 5 of 57 publications

Proceedings Volume Editor (3)

SPIE Conference Volume | 10 September 2018

Optical and Infrared Interferometry and Imaging VI

SPIE Conference Volume | 16 November 2016

Optical and Infrared Interferometry and Imaging V

SPIE Conference Volume | 20 August 2014

Optical and Infrared Interferometry IV

Conference Committee Involvement (9)

Optical and Infrared Interferometry and Imaging VIII

17 July 2022 | Montréal, Québec, Canada

Optical and Infrared Interferometry and Imaging VII

14 December 2020 | Online Only, California, United States

Optical and Infrared Interferometry and Imaging VII

13 December 2020 | San Diego, California, United States

Optical and Infrared Interferometry and Imaging VI

11 June 2018 | Austin, Texas, United States

Optical and Infrared Interferometry and Imaging V Posters

27 June 2016 | Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Showing 5 of 9 Conference Committees

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