SOXS: Effects on optical performances due to gravity flexures, temperature variations, and subsystems alignment

TL;DR

This paper analyzes how gravity flexures, temperature variations, and subsystem alignment affect the optical performance of the SOXS spectrograph at the NTT, providing insights for optimal operation and stability.

Contribution

It offers a detailed assessment of optical effects caused by environmental and mechanical factors on SOXS, enhancing understanding of its performance stability.

Findings

Gravity flexures impact optical alignment during telescope movement.

Temperature variations cause measurable shifts in optical performance.

Proper subsystem alignment is crucial for maintaining spectral quality.

Abstract

SOXS (Son Of X-Shooter) is the new medium resolution wide-band spectrograph to be installed at the 3.6m New Technology Telescope (NTT) in La Silla. SOXS will offer simultaneous wavelength coverage from 0.35 to 2.0 {\mu}m and will be dedicated to the study of transient and variable sources. While nominal optical performances of the system were presented in previous proceedings (arXiv:1809.01521), we here present a set of further analyses aimed to identify and quantify optical effects, due to changes in temperature and orientation of the instrument during alignment and operations.