SPECKLE INTERFEROMETRY - DATA-ACQUISITION AND CONTROL FOR THE SPID INSTRUMENT

SPID (SPeckle Imaging by Deconvolution) is a new speckle camera curren tly under construction at CRAL-Observatoire de Lyon (FRANCE). Its high spectral resolution and high image restoration capabilities open new astrophysical programs. The instrument SPID is composed of four main o ptical modules which are fully automated and computer controlled by a software written in Tcl/Tk/Tix and C. This software provides an intell igent assistance to the user by choosing observational parameters as a function of atmospheric parameters, computed in real time, and the de sired restored image quality. Data acquisition is made by a photon-cou nting detector (CP40). A VME-based computer under OS9 controls the det ector and stocks the data. The intelligent system runs under Linux on a PC. A slave PC under DOS commands the motors. These 3 computers comm unicate through an Ethernet network. SPID can be considered as a precu rsor for VLT's (Very Large Telescope, four 8-meter telescopes currentl y built in Chile by European Southern Observatory) very high spatial r esolution camera.