Performance estimates and target selection for the MCIFU, the multicore integrated field unit

Abstract

The Multi-Core Integrated Field Unit (MCIFU) is a demonstrator for the ELT’s Planetary Camera and Spectrograph (PCS) and will achieve first light in 2026 on MagAO-X at the Magellan Clay telescope. To evaluate its performance, we developed a quantitative model incorporating atmospheric transmission, telescope and instrument throughput, and detector characteristics such as quantum efficiency, dark current, and readout noise. Based on this model, an exposure time calculator (ETC) was constructed to predict the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio under varying stellar magnitudes, integration times, and observing conditions. The ETC includes three source-spectrum options: continuum, blackbody, and reference spectra. It produces detailed S/N budgets across the Y, J, and H bands to identify observable targets. First-light photometric measurements in 2026 will aide to validate the model and help define the operational parameter space for future PCS observations on the ELT.

Authors 14

1. Viktoria Kutnohorsky

   Durham University

   Affiliation as printed

   Durham Univ. (United Kingdom)

2. Sebastiaan Y. Haffert Aachen Leiden Univ. (Netherlands)

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden Univ. (Netherlands)

   Steward Observatory (United States)

3. Laird M. Close
   Affiliation as printed

   Steward Observatory (United States)

4. Jared R. Males
   Affiliation as printed

   Steward Observatory (United States)

5. Aurélien Benoît

   Heriot-Watt University

   Affiliation as printed

   Heriot-Watt Univ. (United Kingdom)

6. David G. MacLachlan

   Heriot-Watt University

   Affiliation as printed

   Heriot-Watt Univ. (United Kingdom)

7. Robert R. Thomson

   Heriot-Watt University

   Affiliation as printed

   Heriot-Watt Univ. (United Kingdom)

8. Tim Birks

   University of Bath

   Affiliation as printed

   Univ. of Bath (United Kingdom)

9. Chiara D'Amato

   Politecnico di Milano

   Affiliation as printed

   Politecnico di Milano (Italy)

10. Sajjad Mahdizadeh

    Durham University

    Affiliation as printed

    Durham Univ. (United Kingdom)

11. Andrea Bianco

    Brera Astronomical Observatory

    Affiliation as printed

    INAF - Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera (Italy)

12. Giorgio M. Pariani

    Brera Astronomical Observatory

    Affiliation as printed

    INAF - Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera (Italy)

13. Joss Guy

    Durham University

    Affiliation as printed

    Durham Univ. (United Kingdom)

14. Olivier Guyon
    Affiliation as printed

    Steward Observatory (United States)