Abstract

The Epoch of Reionization is the period in the evolution of the Universe that spans the birth of the first stars and galaxies. During this time early UV-bright galaxies ionized the neutral intergalactic medium, leaving an imprint on the extra-galactic background light (EBL). The Cosmic Infrared Background ExpeRiment (CIBER-1) was designed to measure the EBL in the near-infrared (NIR) at redshifts z > 6 to observe the signal from reionizing sources. CIBER-1 measured excess radiation at NIR wavelengths when compared to expectations. The Cosmic Infrared Background ExpeRiment-2 (CIBER-2) was designed to better constrain the excess radiation observed by CIBER-1. Having the best point spread function (PSF) possible will aid in the analysis of CIBER-2 flight data by helping to remove unwanted foregrounds. This thesis details the optical performance of the CIBER-2 instrument on the ground and in space, its focus optimization procedures, demonstrates a new collimating system, and discusses data analysis required to understand the pointing and optical stability of the instrument in flight.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Cosmic background radiation--Measurement; Epoch of reionization; Near infrared spectroscopy

Publication Date

7-20-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Astrophysical Sciences and Technology (MS)

Department, Program, or Center

School of Physics and Astronomy (COS)

Advisor

Michael W. Richmond

Advisor/Committee Member

Andrew Robinson

Advisor/Committee Member

Michael Zemcov

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

ASTP-MS

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