Conceptual design of the Keck Wide Field Imager (KWFI)

Year: 2022 DOI: 10.1117/12.2630502
The Keck Wide Field Imager (KWFI) is a 1-degree field of view imager optimized to take advantage of the superb UV performance of the W.M. Keck Observatory (WMKO) located atop Mauna Kea in Hawaii. The project is an international collaboration between Swinburne University, ANU Macquarie University, Caltech, UC Observatories, and W.M Keck Observatory. KWFI is an all-fused silica 4-lens element corrector that operates over u,g,r,i, and z photometric bands from 300 – 1000 nm where the design achieves 0.5" 80% encircled energy diameter rms over the FOV within each photometric band. The KWFI collaboration is completing an 18-month conceptual design phase and is preparing to issue the most critical, long-lead-time procurements to address the critical path to first-light operations, following a public/private fundraising model. Our technically paced schedule, driven by corrector lens figuring, is expected to culminate in KWFI First Light in Summer 2027. We report here on the instrument concept and the progress towards a significant new capability for the WMKO.