Joint Dark Energy Mission optical design studies

We present the latest optical design concepts for the Joint Dark Energy Mission (JDEM). This mission will tightly constrain the cosmological parameters describing the accelerating expansion of the universe. The current candidate designs are based on extensive examination of the interplay of requirements for the leading techniques being considered for space borne observation: Baryon Acoustic Oscillation (BAO), Type Ia Supernovae (SN), and gravitational Weak Lensing (WL). All techniques require very large fields of view across the visible/near infrared spectrum; BAO uniquely requires a moderate dispersion wide field spectroscopy capability. Weak lensing requires very good stability and knowledge of the point spread function in order to enable detection of local variations in galaxy ellipticities caused by the intervening dark matter. SN imaging spectroscopy should be done to high photometric signal to noise in order to make best use of these 'standard candles.' We have studied medium class and smaller, "Probe" class implementations enabling from one to three of these techniques. We describe two concepts that were submitted to the 2010 Astrophysics Decadal review as well as current concepts.

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