We describe the design, development, and performance of HAWK-I, the new High-Acuity Wide-field K-band Imager for ESO's Very Large Telescope, which is equipped with a mosaic of four 2 k × 2 k arrays and operates from 0.9−2.4 μm over 7.5 × 7.5 with 0.1 pixels. A novel feature is the use of all reflective optics that, together with filters of excellent throughput and detectors of high quantum efficiency, has yielded an extremely high throughput. Commissioning and science verification observations have already delivered a variety of excellent and deep images that demonstrate its high scientific potential for addressing important astrophysical questions of current interest.

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The Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) is an integral-field spectrograph for the ESO Very Large Telescope. After completion of the Final Design Review in 2009, MUSE is now in its manufacture and assembly phase. To achieve a relative large field-of-view with fine spatial sampling, MUSE features 24 identical spectrograph-detector units. The acceptance tests of the detector sub-systems, the design and manufacture of the calibration unit and the development of the Data Reduction Software for MUSE are under the responsibility of the AIP. The optical design of the spectrograph implies strict tolerances on the alignment of the detector systems to minimize aberrations. As part of the acceptance testing, all 24 detector systems, developed by ESO, are mounted to a MUSE reference spectrograph, which is illuminated by a set of precision pinholes. Thus the best focus is determined and the image quality of the spectrograph-detector subsystem across wavelength and field angle is measured.