FORCAST: A Wide-Field Infrared Camera for SOFIA
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FORCAST is a dual-channel camera utilizing 256x256 Si BIB
(Blocked-Impurity-Band) arrays to cover the 4-25
mm and 25-40 mm regions.
With a band selector the user can choose between a dichroic for simultaneous
imaging, a mirror to select the short wavelength channel,
or an open aperture to select the long wavelength channel.
Si:As and Si:Sb BIB array detectors cover the
4-25 mm and 25-40 mm
regimes respectively.
Individually selectable filters define the band center and bandwidth
for each channel. The
0.75" pixel size provides excellent sampling of the point-spread function
(PSF) and a large, 3.2’x3.2’ field of view.
FORCAST employs known, state-of-the-art technology so fabrication
and implementation risks are minimized.
2D drawings of FORCAST 3D drawings of FORCAST
Page last updated Oct 2005.