2004/09/03 by Anthony Horton, Ian Parry, Joss Bland-Hawthorn +4 · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · #Astronomy and Astrophysical Research #Dark Ages #Far infrared #Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena #Galaxy #Infrared #Narrowband #Radio Astronomy Observations and Technology #Redshift #Sky #astro-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1117/12.551591
published as Proc.SPIE Int.Soc.Opt.Eng.5492:1022-1032,2004 · 11 pages, 7 figures, to appear in Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 5492, Ground-based Instrumentation for Astronomy
arxiv created 2004/09/03 · openalex publication_date 2004/09/30 · arxiv updated 2011/03/10 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
DA<i>z</i>LE is a near infrared narrowband differential imager being built by the Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge, in collaboration with the Anglo-Australian observatory. It is a special purpose instrument designed with a sole aim; the detection of redshifted Lyman-α emission from star forming galaxies at <i>z</i>>7. DA<i>z</i>LE will use pairs of high resolution (<i>R</i>=1000) narrowband filters to exploit low background 'windows' in the near infrared sky emission spectrum. This will enable it to reach sensitivities of ~2 x 10<sup>-21</sup>Wm<sup>-2</sup>, thereby allowing the detection of <i>z</i>>7 galaxies with star formation rates as low as a few solar masses per year. The design of the instrument, and in particular the crucial narrowband filters, are presented. The predicted performance of DA<i>z</i>LE, including the sensitivity, volume coverage and expected number counts, is discussed. The current status of the DA<i>z</i>LE project, and its projected timeline, are also presented.