Clio is an adaptive-optics camera mounted on the 6.5 meter MMT optimized for diffraction-limited L ’ and M-band imaging over a \sim 15 ^ { \prime \prime } field .
The instrument was designed from the ground up with a large well-depth , fast readout thermal infrared ( \sim 3 - 5 \ > \mu m ) 320 by 256 pixel InSb detector , cooled optics , and associated focal plane and pupil masks ( with the option for a coronograph ) to minimize the thermal background and maximize throughput .
When coupled with the MMT ’ s adaptive secondary AO ( two warm reflections ) system ’ s low thermal background , this instrument is in a unique position to image nearby warm planets , which are the brightest in the L ’ and M-band atmospheric windows .
We present the current status of this recently commissioned instrument that performed exceptionally during first light .
Our instrument sensitivities are impressive and are sky background limited : for an hour of integration , we obtain an L ’ -band 5 \sigma detection limit of of 17.0 magnitudes ( Strehl \sim 80 \% ) and an M-band limit of 14.5 ( Strehl \sim 90 \% ) .
Our M-band sensitivity is lower due to the increase in thermal sky background .
These sensitivities translate to finding relatively young planets five times Jupiter mass ( M _ { Jup } ) at 10 pc within a few AU of a star .
Presently , a large Clio survey of nearby stellar systems is underway including a search for planets around solar-type stars , M dwarfs , and white dwarfs .
Even with a null result , we can place strong constraints on planet distribution models .