SysEng-approved LSST throughput curves The latest m5 depths are available in plots/table2: https://github.com/lsst-pst/syseng_throughputs/blob/master/plots/table2

This repository provides the ultimate source of the throughput curves in the repository lsst/throughputs.

The components directory contains the response curves for each individual component of the camera and telescope. In each directory, there is also a *_Losses directory that contains the time-averaged ten-year losses due to contamination or condensation on the surfaces of the component. In some directories, there is also a *_Coatings directory, which contains information on coatings applied to the surface, such as the Broad Band Anti-Reflection coatings on the lenses.

These components curves are maintained and updated by the LSST system engineering team. Python utilties to read and combine these various curves appropriately are maintained in this repository, in the python directory. In particular, note the utilities provided in bandpassUtils.py. At this time, we expect most users to use the throughputs repository instead of this repository directly - the curves in the throughputs repository are constructed from these curves, and can be traced through the git SHA1 and release tags.

• Detector: There are two separate detector response and loss curves, corresponding to the expected response (QE response + AR coatings) of the CCDs provided by each of the two vendors under consideration. For most purposes (including the detector curve reported in the throughputs repository), we use a 'generic' detector response that is generated by combining both of these throughput curves using the minimum QE response at each wavelength. The response curves from each vendor correpond to a response measured in LSST labs, using vendor-provided prototypes. The loss curves provided for each vendor represent a simulated effect of contamination buildup over time; the loss curves are identical for both vendors and are the average expected values over ten years. Note that some values in the 'contamination' loss file for the detectors are > 1; this is because the contamination is primarily a thin film of water, which at some wavelengths can enhance the performance of the AR coating on the detector -- this is only true for the detector.
• Lenses: There are three separate lenses in the camera, each with an identical base *_Glass.dat curve that represents the fused silica throughput of the lens itself. This throughput curve must be smoothed using the Savitzy-Golay smoothing function. The fused silica lens transmission curves are based on vendor-provided expected transmission curves. The silica base of the len must also be combined with the BroadBand AntiReflective (BBAR) coatings response in the *_Coatings directory. There are two coatings; one for each side of the lens. The BBAR coating response is based on vendor-provided models, consistent with LSST requested coating requirements. There are small differences between the glass components used for each lens; there are also small differences in the BBARS, including a difference from one side of the lens to the other. In each lens, there are also several files in the *_Losses directory, representing the time-averaged condensation and contamination losses for each surface of each lens. The losses are based on models developed by Andy Rasmussen at SLAC. These vary depending on the direction the lens is facing and the location of the lens in the camera. The final response curves for all lenses are similar in shape, however lens3 has a slightly higher overall throughput due to slightly lower losses (only by 1-2%).
• Filters: For each filter, a goal throughput envelope has been provided. This is the goal throughput envelope provided to the filter vendors; tolerances on this envelope have also been provided. Note that this is not the expected performance for an as-manufactured filter, which would likely include some out-of-band throughput leaks (within a specified limit), and represents a change compared to previously provided throughput curves (which represented one simulation of an expected as-provided filter set). In the *_Losses directory, there are also ten-year-average simulated contamination and condensation losses for each surface of the filters, based on models developed by Andy Rasmussen.

• Mirrors: Each mirror has a reflectivity curve, which should be coupled with the respective losses curve found in the relevant *_Losses directory. The reflectivity of mirror1 (primary mirror) and mirror3 (tertiary) is based on using a protected aluminum surface; the reflectivity of mirror2 (secondary) is based on using a protected silver surface. These mirror reflectivities are based on lab measurements of pristine witness samples. The losses represent the ten-year average, based on performance degradation measurements from historical telescope performance, modified for the expected LSST maintenance schedule. Currently mirror cleanings are scheduled yearly, with resurfacing every two years.

• Atmosphere: The atmosphere throughput is modeled by using MODTRAN to produce a 'standard US Atmosphere', which does not include aerosols. To better represent the expected atmospheric transmission on site, aerosols have been added to the resulting throughput curves, using the python script addAerosols.py. The atmospheric transmission curves are in the siteProperties directory, with an X=1.2 and X=1.0 atmosphere, with and without aerosols. To represent 'typical' throughput, the X=1.2, with aerosols atmosphere curve should be used. To represent zenith, optimum throughputs, the X=1.0, with aerosols atmosphere curve should be used.
• Dark sky: The expected dark sky, zenith, background spectrum can be found in darksky.dat. This is used to calculate expected zenith, dark-sky limiting magnitude values. The dark sky SED is based on data from UVES and Gemini Near-IR, combined with ESO sky data from Ferdinand Patat, modified slightly at the red and blue ends to match observed dark sky broadband skybrightness values reported by SDSS.