METIS - the Mid-infrared E-ELT Imager and Spectrograph

TL;DR

METIS is a proposed mid-infrared instrument for the E-ELT designed to enable high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy beyond 3 micrometers, addressing challenges like thermal background and adaptive optics.

Contribution

This paper presents the science-driven design considerations and technical challenges for METIS, a new ground-based mid-infrared instrument for the E-ELT.

Findings

Instrument baseline includes imaging and spectroscopy in L, M, N bands

Consideration of coronagraphy and polarimetry options

Challenges in background suppression and adaptive optics addressed

Abstract

METIS, the Mid-infrared ELT Imager and Spectrograph (formerly called MIDIR), is a proposed instrument for the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT), currently undergoing a phase-A study. The study is carried out within the framework of the ESO-sponsored E-ELT instrumentation studies. METIS will be designed to cover the E-ELT science needs at wavelengths longward of 3um, where the thermal background requires different operating schemes. In this paper we discuss the main science drivers from which the instrument baseline has been derived. Specific emphasis has been given to observations that require very high spatial and spectral resolution, which can only be achieved with a ground-based ELT. We also discuss the challenging aspects of background suppression techniques, adaptive optics in the mid-IR, and telescope site considerations. The METIS instrument baseline includes imaging and spectroscopy at the atmospheric L, M, and N bands with a possible extension to Q band imaging. Both coronagraphy and polarimetry are also being considered. However, we note that the concept is still not yet fully consolidated. The METIS studies are being performed by an international consortium with institutes from the Netherlands, Germany, France, United Kingdom, and Belgium.