iLocater spectrograph sees first light in cryogenic laboratory testing
As the iLocater spectrograph continues to advance towards completion, May 2025 saw a major milestone for the project: obtaining the first cryogenic spectra from the instrument. These first light images were taken as part of initial end-to-end cryogenic testing (85K) of the spectrograph at the Imaging Sciences Laboratory at Ohio State. This builds upon the delivery of key fiber and detector hardware to the iLocater program earlier in 2025.
Led by Research Senior Associate Dr. Marshall Johnson, graduate student Xavier Lesley and Applied Research Engineer Julia Brady, white light spectra were obtained using a tungsten halogen source to illuminate the system. Spectra allowing for initial wavelength calibration were also recorded using a uranium neon source for illumination. All images were recorded using an engineer-grade H4RG detector from NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope program which is being used for the initial instrument characterization and check-out.
Results from this testing will be used to assess initial optical performance of the system at cryogenic temperatures. These results will inform subsequent system adjustments and optimization which is planned to take place during the remainder of Summer 2025.
Originally published by at ilocater.nd.edu on June 01, 2025.
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