SAMI Automated Plug Plate Configuration

TL;DR

This paper presents an automated system for configuring plug plates in the SAMI instrument, improving efficiency and accuracy over manual methods through software automation and visualization tools.

Contribution

Introduction of an automated configuration process for SAMI plug plates using a Java controller and C++ algorithms, reducing manual effort and errors.

Findings

Automation increases configuration efficiency.

Error reduction in plate setup process.

Enhanced user verification with visualization tools.

Abstract

The Sydney-AAO Multi-object Integral field spectrograph (SAMI) is a prototype wide-field system at the Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT) which uses a plug-plate to mount its 13 x 61-core imaging fibre bundles (hexabundles) in the optical path at the telescope's prime focus. In this paper we describe the process of determining the positions of the plug-plate holes, where plates contain three or more stacked observation configurations. The process, which up until now has involved several separate processes and has required significant manual configuration and checking, is now being automated to increase efficiency and reduce error. This is carried out by means of a thin Java controller layer which drives the configuration cycle. This layer controls the user interface and the C++ algorithm layer where the plate configuration and optimisation is carried out. Additionally, through the Aladin display package, it provides visualisation and facilitates user verification of the resulting plates.