FOC Handbook Version 5.0

The FOC Instrument Handbook Version 5.0, dated May 1994, provides the latest information on the FOC for use in Cycle 5 of the HST Observing Program. It also contains a great deal on information relevant to analyzing FOC data, such as encircled energy curves for photometric analysis.

Below is a table of contents from the handbook allowing for access to each chapter of the handbook individually in PostScript form. The starting page number for each chapter follows the chapter title. All the figures and tables are included in each chapter making some chapters very large. Following the table of contents is a simple listing of tables and figures from the handbook.

ASCII Version

This is a text version of the entire handbook, without the figures and tables.

PostScript Version (Whole Document)

This is the ENTIRE FOC Instrument Handbook Version 5.0 as a single PostScript file [10142 kb long!].

Problems have been noted in printing out the PostScript files in Europe, so versions of the files have been compiled for A4 paper, including the A4 formatted FOC Instrument Handbook Version 5.0[10120 kb long!]. References to the A4 version of each chapter are given at the end of each line.

PostScript Version (by chapter)

1. INTRODUCTION - 1 [122 kb] (A4 Format)
2. COSTAR OVERVIEW - 3 [921 kb] (A4 Format)
3. INSTRUMENT OVERVIEW - 6 [1835 kb] (A4 Format)
4. DETAILED INSTRUMENT DESCRIPTION - 12 [2009 kb]
   (A4 Format)

   4.1 Transfer Optics - 12

   4.2 Focal Plane Apertures - 14

   4.2 Internal Calibration System - 19

   4.4 Filter Wheels - 21

   4.4.1 Bandpass and Neutral Density Filters - 21

   4.4.2 Objective Prisms - 29

   4.4.3 Polarizers - 30

   4.5 Long Slit Spectrographic Facility - 34

   4.6 Detectors - 37

   4.6.1 Image Intensifier and Coupling Lens - 37

   4.6.2 TV Tube - 38

   4.7 Video Processing Unit - 38

   4.8 Science Data Store - 39

5. OBSERVING ARRANGEMENTS - 41 [256 kb]
   (A4 Format)

   5.1 Imaging, Occultation and Spectrographic Modes - 41

   5.2 Target Acquisition Modes - 44

   5.2.1 Mode I Target Acquisition -- INTeractive ACQuisition - 44

   5.2.2 Mode III Target Acquisition -- Blind Pointing - 45

   5.2.3 Early ACQuisition - 45

   5.3 The FOC Target Acquisition Apertures - 46

6. INSTRUMENT PERFORMANCE - 47 [1852 kb]
   (A4 Format)

   6.1 The Point Spread Function (PSF) - 47

   6.1.1Image Quality and Field Dependence of the PSF50

   6.2 Dynamic Range - 51

   6.2.1 Uniform Illumination - 51

   6.2.2 Non-Uniform Illumination - 52

   6.3Absolute Quantum Efficiency - 54

   6.3.1Format-dependent Sensitivity - 58

   6.4 Detector Background - 58

   6.5 Stray Light - 60

   6.6 Detector Overload - 62

   6.7 Overhead Times and Multiple Exposures - 63

   6.8 Guiding Modes with the FOC - 63

   6.9 Uniformity of Response (Flat Fielding) - 63

   6.10 Visible Leaks - 68

   6.11 Geometric Distortion and Stability - 70

   6.12 Plate Scale - 72

7. OBSERVER'S GUIDE (PRESCRIPTION FOR ESTIMATING EXPOSURE TIMES) - 73 [235 kb]
   (A4 Format)

   7.1 Point Sources - 74

   7.1.1 Imaging - 74

   7.1.2 Spectroscopy - 78

   7.2 Extended Sources - 79

8. THE FOC EXPOSURE TIME SIMULATOR, FOCSIM - 83 [45 kb](A4 Format)
9. LIMITING MAGNITUDES - 85 [76 kb](A4 Format)
10. FOC DATA ANALYSIS AND PRODUCTS - 87 [95 kb]
    (A4 Format)

    10.1 Pipeline Processing - 87

    10.2 General Procedures - 88

    10.2.1 Dark-Count Subtraction - 88

    10.2.2 Format-Dependent Photometric Correction (ITF) - 88

    10.2.3 Correct for Zoom Mode - 88

    10.2.4 Compute Absolute Sensitivity - 88

    10.2.5 Geometric Correction - 88

    10.2.6 Relative Calibration or Flat Field Correction (normal images only) - 90

    10.2.7 Spectrographic Detective Efficiency Correction - 90

11. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS - 91 [32 kb] (A4 Format)
12. APPENDIX - 92 [2897 kb] (A4 Format)

List of Figures

List of Tables