Integral field spectroscopy with optical fibres

Abstract

AbstractAn efficient technique for obtaining complete spectral informations over moderately extended objects is to transform the geometry of their telescopic images to match a classical long ”slit” aperture. This anamorphosis is conveniently made with bundles of optical fibres. Such devices are especially useful when high spatial resolution and large wavelength coverage are required at the same time. We review the existing instruments based on this technique and present some typical results. We discuss also the future developments of integral field spectroscopy with optical fibres (visible or IR domains) for the new generation of very large telescopes.