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arXiv · 1403.6841

Development of Fiber Fabry-Perot Interferometers as Stable Near-infrared Calibration Sources for High Resolution Spectrographs

Samuel Halverson·Suvrath Mahadevan·Lawrence Ramsey·Fred Hearty·John Wilson·Jon Holtzman·Stephen Redman·Gillian Nave·David Nidever·Matt Nelson·Nick Venditti·Dmitry Bizyaev·Scott Fleming
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Abstract

We discuss the ongoing development of single-mode fiber Fabry-Perot (FFP) Interferometers as precise astro-photonic calibration sources for high precision radial velocity (RV) spectrographs. FFPs are simple, inexpensive, monolithic units that can yield a stable and repeatable output spectrum. An FFP is a unique alternative to a traditional etalon, as the interferometric cavity is made of single-mode fiber rather than an air-gap spacer. This design allows for excellent collimation, high spectral finesse, rigid mechanical stability, insensitivity to vibrations, and no need for vacuum operation. The device we have tested is a commercially available product from Micron Optics. Our development path is targeted towards a calibration source for the Habitable-Zone Planet Finder (HPF), a near-infrared spectrograph designed to detect terrestrial-mass planets around low-mass stars, but this reference could also be used in many existing and planned fiber-fed spectrographs as we illustrate using the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) instrument. With precise temperature control of the fiber etalon, we achieve a thermal stability of 100 $\mu$K and associated velocity uncertainty of 22 cm s$^{-1}$. We achieve a precision of $\approx$2 m s$^{-1}$ in a single APOGEE fiber over 12 hours using this new photonic reference after removal of systematic correlations. This high precision (close to the expected photon-limited floor) is a testament to both the excellent intrinsic wavelength stability of the fiber interferometer and the stability of the APOGEE instrument design. Overall instrument velocity precision is 80 cm s$^{-1}$ over 12 hours when averaged over all 300 APOGEE fibers and after removal of known trends and pressure correlations, implying the fiber etalon is intrinsically stable to significantly higher precision.

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Samuel Halverson, Suvrath Mahadevan, Lawrence Ramsey, Fred Hearty, John Wilson, Jon Holtzman, Stephen Redman, Gillian Nave, David Nidever, Matt Nelson, Nick Venditti, Dmitry Bizyaev, Scott Fleming. 2014-03-26. Development of Fiber Fabry-Perot Interferometers as Stable Near-infrared Calibration Sources for High Resolution Spectrographs. https://doi.org/10.1086/676649

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