SUBARU prime focus spectrograph: integration, testing and performance for the first spectrograph

TL;DR

This paper details the integration, testing, and initial performance results of the first Subaru Prime Focus Spectrograph channel, including assembly procedures, testing methods, and logistical challenges faced during deployment.

Contribution

It presents a comprehensive integration and testing plan for the Subaru PFS, including new tools, procedures, and insights into technical and logistical challenges encountered.

Findings

Successful thermal acceptance testing of the first visible camera unit

Development of detailed assembly and testing tools and procedures

Identification of technical difficulties during integration process

Abstract

The Prime Focus Spectrograph (PFS) of the Subaru Measurement of Images and Redshifts (SuMIRe) project for Subaru telescope consists in four identical spectrographs fed by 600 fibers each. Each spectrograph is composed by an optical entrance unit that creates a collimated beam and distributes the light to three channels, two visibles and one near infrared. This paper presents the on-going effort for the tests & integration process for the first spectrograph channel: we have developed a detailed Assembly Integration and Test (AIT) plan, as well as the methods, detailed processes and I&T tools. We describe the tools we designed to assemble the parts and to test the performance of the spectrograph. We also report on the thermal acceptance tests we performed on the first visible camera unit. We also report on and discuss the technical difficulties that did appear during this integration phase. Finally, we detail the important logistic process that is require to transport the components from other country to Marseille.