Optical & Infrared Instrumentation
The optical and infrared instrumentation group at Oxford is designing and constructing state-of-the-art instruments for ground-based optical and infrared telescopes. We are involved in several projects designing, fabricating and deploying second generation instruments at different 8-meter class telescopes - e.g. European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile, and the Japanese Subaru telescope on Hawaii. In addition, Oxford hosts the UK's Gemini Support Group which seeks to assist UK observers with preparation and exploitation of their Gemini programmes.
Finally, Oxford scientists are working with colleagues in Europe to define the next generation of Extremely Large Telescopes (ELTs). These ground-based telescopes are expected to have diameters in the range 25-40m, and will operate at optical and infrared wavelengths. We are involved in the definition of the science case for as part of a major European technical design study for an ELT. Our main areas of involvement in the study are in setting the scientific requirements for an ELT and studying potential ELT instruments.
A list of projects for existing telescopes and future observatories is given below
Projects for existing observatories
FMOS
Global Jet Watch
KMOS
SWIFT
