NIRSpec IFU image slicer
![](https://cdn.sci.esa.int/documents/34594/35357/JWST_NIRSpec_IFU_image_slicer_625.jpg)
Date: 04 September 2013
Satellite: JWST
Copyright: SSTL
The Integral Field Unit (IFU) of the NIRSpec instrument allows for spectral imaging of extended astronomical objects. A key element of the IFU is the image slicer, which cuts the 3 arcsec × 3 arcsec field of view into 30 slices of 0.1 arcsec × 3 arcsec. Each slice gives rise to 30 contiguous spectra on the detectors for a total of 900 spectra, each corresponding to a tiny spatial element of size 0.1 arcsec × 0.1 arcsec.
The image slicer is pictured here after diamond machining. Each of the 30 slices is less than 1 mm wide and has its own curve and tilt.
Last Update: 28 May 2021