Infrared instrumentation for the Subaru Telescope

ABSTRACT The infrared instrumentation plan for the Subaru Telescope is described. Four approved infrared instruments and one testobservation system are now in the construction phase. They are Coronagraph Imager using Adaptive Optics (CIAO), CooledMid-Infrared Camera and Spectrograph (COMICS), Infrared Camera and Spectrograph (IRCS), OH-Airglow Suppresser Spectrograph (OHS) and Mid-Infrared Test Observation System (MIRTOS). Their performance goals and constructionschedules are summarized. The plan for procurement and evaluation of infrared arrays required by these instruments is briefly described.Keywords: infrared instrumentation, Subaru Telescope, infrared camera, infrared spectrograph 1. INTRODUCTION In the history of infrared astronomy, the first phase, approximately the first 20 years, was when basic technology such asdetector, telescope and instrumentation were developed and when the number of researchers increased gradually through theobservations and discoveries utilizing these early technologies. Since 1980's, infrared astronomy entered the second phase,the era of infrared array technology. The dramatic results that the array technology introduced were vividly presented, forexample, in the series of the proceedings from the workshops held in the United States since late 1980's. The third phaseseems to be just starting now, when the matured array technology couples with the advent of the new generation of largeground based telescopes equipped with well-planned contingency of versatile and powerful infrared instrumentation. Japan