I would like to know the major characteristics of modern infrared telescopes. In particular, can anyone give me the details concerning the spatial resolution of IR telescopes?
1) VISIR at the ESO/VLT gets to 0.045"/pixel, diffraction limited imaging atigh sensitivity in the two mid-IR atmospheric windows N & Q bands
2) MIRI aboard the JWST will give 0.11"/pixel at 7 micron
3) METIS at the E-ELT will provide Nyquist sampling at diffraction limit 3 & 8 micron
In the near-IR:
1) NACO at the VLT focus gives a resolution close to diffraction limit of the 8m telescope (0.08"/pixel). Using Adaptive optics may improve or lower these figures.
2) NIRCAM on-board the JWST will provide 0.033"/pixel in the 1-2 micron range, and 0.065"/pixel in the 2-5 micron range.
Hope that helps, but again, most of the information can be found in the weg.