Manufacturing a grism by taking advantage of the properties of an ultra-high precision grinding machine

Nano-Optonics Energy is carrying out research and development on technology for a 1m diameter infrared telescope (Mini-TAO telescope), which is scheduled to be completed in 2008 in Chile, to measure CO2 in the global atmosphere. The telescope will be installed near the peak of Mt. Chajnantor (elevation: 5,640m) in the Andes near the Atacama Desert.

Why Atacama?

Mt. Chajnantor in Atacama is at a high elevation and is extremely dry, so is the perfect location to observe infrared radiation from heavenly bodies. Because it is high, it is not susceptible to the effects of CO2 near the earth's surface, making it a good place to observe CO2 in the atmosphere.

The CO2 atmospheric absorption line which is in the mid-infrared wave length is essential for measuring CO2. Using astronomical observation equipment with the world's highest sensitivity for this type of observation, provides two benefits impossible with conventional observations.

1. The ability to perform nighttime observations allows tracking of daily CO2 changes.
2. It provides both emission and absorption data, which can restrict atmospheric models.

This is attracting attention as a means of supplementing measurements by satellite.

Nano-Optonics Energy uses ground germanium grisms to perform planned spectroscopic measurements. We can manufacture the world's highest quality grisms using our high precision grinders.
This permits detailed measurements at high resolution of the CO2 absorption line.