Assessing the perfomance of the JWST Image Simulator - PhoSim-NIRCam
Arsh R. Nadkarni - Steward Observatory, UArizona
Adviser: Dr. Eiichi Egami - Steward Observatory, UArizona
PhoSim-NIRCam is a full end-to-end JWST/NIRCam image simulator built on the framework of the LSST image simulator PhoSim. It contains a comprehensive physical model of the JWST telescope + NIRCam, and simulates photons propagating through the whole system using a Monte Carlo approach. PhoSim-NIRCam is easy to use, allowing the user to start creating realistic NIRCam images with minimal preparation. It also provides a variety of advanced features that allow direct control of any element in the system.
More about PhoSim-NIRCam
Although developed primarily for LSST, PhoSim itself is a physics-based code that can simulatie any optical/IR observing system when used with appropriately constructed configuration files. PhoSim-NIRCam has been developed by taking advantage of this feature, and is essentially PhoSim that comes with a particular set of configuration files constructed for JWST + NIRCam. Despite its complex inner working, PhoSim-NIRCam is easy to use, and is typically run as a one-line command with a CatalogFile and a CommandsFile.
Disclaimer: PhoSim-NIRCam is still in the early phase of develpment, and has not been tested extensively!
Information/References
LSST PhoSim
- PhoSim Reference Paper: Peterson, J. R. et al. 2015, ApJS, 218, 14
- PhoSim Reference Document: The Photon Simulator (PhoSim)
- PhoSim SED library (star/galaxy SEDs): [SEDs (6 GB)] (https://lsst.rcac.purdue.edu/doc/SEDs.tar.gz)
- Websites: PhoSim, PhoSim@LSST
JWST PhoSim-NIRCam
- PhoSim-NIRCam Homepage: https://fenrir.as.arizona.edu/phosim/
- PhoSim-NIRCam Reference Document: Implementation of the JWST/NIRCam in PhoSim
- PhoSim Diffraction Algorithm: Modification to the Diffraction Algorithm in PhoSim for Space Telescopes
- Quick Guide (up-to-date instruction): Full Guide
- Examples of PhoSim-NIRCam output files: mkimage.tar.gz (6.7 MB)