Performance and future developments of the RHEA single-mode spectrograph

Joao Bento; Tobias Feger; Michael J. Ireland; Adam Rains; Nemanja Jovanovic; David W. Coutts; Christian Schwab; Alexander Arriola; Simon Gross

doi:10.1117/12.2232371

9 August 2016 Performance and future developments of the RHEA single-mode spectrograph

Joao Bento, Tobias Feger, Michael J. Ireland, Adam Rains, Nemanja Jovanovic, David W. Coutts, Christian Schwab, Alexander Arriola , Simon Gross

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9908, Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy VI; 99086K (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2232371
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2016, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Abstract

The Replicable High-resolution Exoplanet and Asteroseismology (RHEA) spectrograph is being developed to serve as a basis for multiple copies across a network of small robotic telescopes. The spectrograph operates at the diffraction-limit by using a single-mode fiber input, resulting in a compact and modal-noise-free unit. The optical design is mainly based on off-the-shelf available components and comprises a near-Littrow configuration with prism cross-disperser. The échelle format covers a wavelength range of 430-650 nm at R=75,000 resolving power. In this paper we briefly summarize the current status of the instrument and present preliminary results from the first on-sky demonstration of the prototype using a fully automated 16" telescope, where we observe stable and semi-variable stars up to V=3.5 magnitude. Future steps to enhance the efficiency and passive stability of RHEA are discussed in detail. For example, we show the concept of using a multi-fiber injection unit, akin to a photonic lantern, which not only enables increased throughput but also offers simultaneous wavelength calibration.

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Joao Bento, Tobias Feger, Michael J. Ireland, Adam Rains, Nemanja Jovanovic, David W. Coutts, Christian Schwab, Alexander Arriola , and Simon Gross "Performance and future developments of the RHEA single-mode spectrograph", Proc. SPIE 9908, Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy VI, 99086K (9 August 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2232371

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