Objective
Studying the kinematics and dynamics of galaxies in the early Universe is crucial to our understanding of their evolution.
However, galaxies in a certain age range, corresponding to red-shifts between ~1 and 2, are difficult to observe spectroscopically, be cause none of their prominent spectral features fall within the atmosphere and detector limited bandpasses.
Building on the team leaders extensive experience, coupled with an Oxford Physics infrastructure that fosters excellence, we propose to build an innovative visitor instrument for large telescopes.
The new instrument, SWIFT, will observe galaxies in this redshift desert at high resolution, exploiting two recent advances in astronomical instrumentation - adaptive optics (AO) systems that provide high angular resolution, and integral field spectrographs (IFS) that provide spectra of all spatial elements within a two dimensional field of view in a single exposure.
SWIFT will use a deep depletion CCD detector for high sensitivity in the 750 to 1000 nm wavelength range (where the sky background is substantially lower than in the near-infrared), coupled with a high throughput, high quality image slicer that will be developed as part of the project.
It will be coupled with AO systems at the European ESO-VLT and Gemini telescopes, to provide an unique combination of sensitivity and enhanced spatial resolution (improving both by factors of 2-3 over current instruments).
Using SWIFT, the team will carry out ground-breaking research in the dynamics of moderate red-shift galaxies, and the demographics of super-massive black holes in nearby galaxies. SWIFTs technical innovation in the design and fabrication of image-slicers will establish a new IFS team at Oxford, thus ensuring that Europe maintains its place at the forefront of integral field spectroscopy.
Oxford University will strongly support this proposal by providing matching funds to pay for all instrument hardware, amounting to ~25% of total project costs.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors optical sensors
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy astrophysics black holes
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP6-2002-MOBILITY-8
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
OXFORD
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.