Focus Calibration and Point Spread Function Analysis for the Cosmic Infrared Background ExpeRiment-2
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
Recommended Citation
Ortiz, Mike Parra, "Focus Calibration and Point Spread Function Analysis for the Cosmic Infrared Background ExpeRiment-2" (2023). Thesis. Rochester Institute of Technology. Accessed from
https://repository.rit.edu/theses/11508
Campus
RIT – Main Campus
Plan Codes
ASTP-MS