SHARK-NIR
SHARK-NIR is an extreme-AO equipped system (nominal Strehl SR > 98% in all bands) with imaging and spectroscopic capabilities that will be observing the NIR regime, covering the wavelength range from 0.96 to 1.7 microns.
The field-of-view is 18” x 18” with a pixel scale of 14.5 mas/pixel. Observing modes include classical imaging w/o coronagraphic mode (with Gaussian, Shaped pupil, and FQPM coronagraphic masks), dual-band imaging (thanks to a Wollaston prism), and long slit coronagraphic spectroscopy (with resolutions of R=100 and R=700 over the whole wavelength range). The performances are expected to reach contrasts down to 10^-5/^-6 at 300-500 mas, in order to accomplish the main scientific requirements.
The main science cases will cover exoplanet detection and characterisation (extrasolar giant planets on wide orbits), circumstellar discs and jets around young stars, solar system objects, evolved stars, AGN and QSOs.
| Recap of main SHARK-NIR Specifications | |
| Coverage | 960-1700 nm |
| FoV | 18"x18" |
| Pixel Scale | 14.5 mas/pixel |
| Spectral Resoluion | R=100/700 |
| Filters | Y,J,H bands + narrow band e.g., FeII, HeI, PaB, and others |
| Coronagraphs | Gaussian Lyot, Shaped pupil, FQPM |
SHARK-VIS
SHARK-VIS is an extreme-AO optical imager that will observe in the wavelength range from 400-900 nm, with a maximum field of view with a diameter of 10’’ and a pixel scale of 6.5 mas/pixel. Observing modes will include classical imaging in both broad-band (B,V,R,I,z) and narrow-band (Halpha, [OIII]5007) filters and dual-band imaging (simultaneous line+continuum) in Halpha and [OI]6300. Coronagraphs (Lyot and Gaussian masks) will be available.
One of the main features of the instrument is the capability to operate in fast-cadence mode, with frame integration times as short as 1ms and frame rate up to 1kHz over a field of view of 1.3”x1.3”. The fast-imaging ensures to freeze out the residual (post-AO) effects of the atmospheric turbulence at visible wavelengths, thus enabling the use of optimized post-processing and deconvolution procedures. Contrasts of the order 10^-5 at 100 mas separation and diffraction-limited images (16 mas resolution) have been already obtained on-sky with the precursor camera ForeRunner.
| Recap of main SHARK-VIS Specifications | |
| Coverage | 400-900 nm |
| FoV | 10"x10" |
| Pixel Scale | 6.4 mas/pixel |
| Frame Rate | up to 1kHz on 1.3"x1.3" FoV |
| Filters | B,V,R,I,z; Halpha+Cnt,[OI]6300+Cnt,[OIII]5007; others might be added |
| Coronagraphs | Lyot, Gaussian (IWA 50, 100, 200 mas) |
New LBT AO system: SOUL
The two SHARK instruments will be assisted by the recently refurbished extreme Adaptive Optics system of the LBT, named SOUL, now under commissioning. SOUL is expected to provide a gain of about 2 mag in limiting magnitude with respect to the previous LBT AO system FLAO, granting AO-correction on targets as faint as R=15-16.
