First starlight spectrum captured using an integrated photonic micro-spectrograph

TL;DR

This paper reports the first on-telescope demonstration of a miniature integrated photonic spectrograph capturing stellar spectra in the H-band, showcasing its potential for compact astronomical instrumentation.

Contribution

It presents the first on-telescope use of a photonic micro-spectrograph for astronomy, demonstrating multi-object spectroscopy and spectral resolution in the H-band.

Findings

Captured stellar spectra with R=2500 at 1600 nm

Successfully obtained spectra of Pi 01 Gru with molecular absorption features

Demonstrated simultaneous multi-object spectroscopy using a single chip

Abstract

Photonic technologies have received growing consideration for incorporation into next-generation astronomical instrumentation, owing to their miniature footprint and inherent robustness. In this paper we present results from the first on-telescope demonstration of a miniature photonic spectrograph for astronomy, by obtaining spectra spanning the entire H-band from several stellar targets. The prototype was tested on the 3.9 m Anglo-Australian telescope. In particular, we present a spectrum of the variable star Pi 01 Gru, with observed CO molecular absorption bands, at a resolving power R = 2500 at 1600 nm. Furthermore, we successfully demonstrate the simultaneous acquisition of multiple spectra with a single spectrograph chip by using multiple fibre inputs.