Optical design of the VLT Coude path for visible-range instrumentation

This paper describes a proposed optical design for the ESO-VLT Coude path in the visible spectral range (380 to 800 nm). The optical train will be implemented in the four VLT Telescope Units in Paranal Observatory with the aim to feed simultaneously a high resolution - high stable spectrograph in the Combined Coude Laboratory. Cost - performances trade-offs are discussed as well.