A near-infrared spectrograph (NIRS) has been designed and proposed for utilization as a first-light instrument on the
Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT). GMTNIRS includes modular JHK, LM spectrograph units mounted to two sides of a
cryogenic optical bench. The optical bench and surrounding, protective radiation (thermal) shield are containerized
within a rigid cryostat vessel, which mounts to the GMT instrument platform. A support structure on the secondary side
of the optical bench provides multi-dimensional stiffness to the optical bench, to prevent excessive displacements of the
optical components during tracking of the telescope. Extensive mechanical simulation and optimization was utilized to
arrive at synergistic designs of the optical bench, support structure, cryostat, and thermal isolation system. Additionally,
detailed steady-state and transient thermal analyses were conducted to optimize and verify the mechanical designs to
maximize thermal efficiency and to size cryogenic coolers and conductors. This paper explains the mechanical and
thermal design points stemming from optical component placement and mounting and structural and thermal
characteristics needed to achieve instrument science requirements. The thermal and mechanical simulations will be
described and the data will be summarized. Sufficient details of the analyses and data will be provided to validate the
design decisions.
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