HighSpec: a novel high-resolution narrow band-pass spectrograph
Abstract
We present HighSpec - a spectrograph designed for the Multi-Aperture-Spectroscopic Telescope (MAST). HighSpec's novel optical setup achieves high spectral resolution of R ∼ 20, 000, while maintaining an exceptionally high throughput with a peak efficiency of ≳ 55% over a narrow band-pass of ∼ 140 A. This is made possible by using highly optimized ion-etched binary mask gratings and an electron-multiplying CCD (EMCCD) detector. HighSpec will include three gratings which will be centered at the Ca II H&K lines, the Mgb lines, and the Hα line. Therefore, HighSpec is highly versatile. Its potential science cases include systematic surveys of flaring M dwarfs; Doppler tomography studies of exoplanet obliquity; dynamical studies of the local population of short-period double white dwarfs; and follow-up of candidate dormant black holes and neutrons stars in binary system.
- Publication:
-
Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy IX
- Pub Date:
- August 2022
- DOI:
- 10.1117/12.2631190
- Bibcode:
- 2022SPIE12184E..59S