The LUVOIR Ultraviolet Multi-Object Spectrograph (LUMOS): Instrument Definition and Design

TL;DR

LUMOS is a versatile ultraviolet spectrograph designed for the LUVOIR mission, offering multiple resolution modes and imaging capabilities to support diverse astrophysical research from exoplanets to galaxy halos.

Contribution

This paper details the design and instrument specifications of LUMOS, a novel UV multi-object spectrograph for the LUVOIR mission, highlighting its advanced optical and detector technologies.

Findings

Designed for broad UV science applications

Provides multiple resolution modes and imaging capabilities

Estimated performance metrics demonstrate high sensitivity

Abstract

The Large Ultraviolet / Optical / Infrared Surveyor (LUVOIR) is one of four large mission concepts currently undergoing community study for consideration by the 2020 Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey. The LUVOIR Ultraviolet Multi-Object Spectrograph, LUMOS, is being designed to support all of the UV science requirements of LUVOIR, from exoplanet host star characterization to tomography of circumgalactic halos to water plumes on outer solar system satellites. LUMOS offers point source and multi-object spectroscopy across the UV bandpass, with multiple resolution modes to support different science goals. The instrument will provide low (R = 8,000-18,000) and medium (R = 30,000-65,000) resolution modes across the far-ultraviolet (FUV: 100-200 nm) and near-ultraviolet (NUV: 200-400 nm) windows, and a very low resolution mode (R = 500) for spectroscopic investigations of extremely faint objects in the FUV. Imaging spectroscopy will be accomplished over a 3 x 1.6 arcminute field-of-view by employing holographically-ruled diffraction gratings to control optical aberrations, microshutter arrays (MSA), advanced optical coatings for high-throughput in the FUV, and next generation large-format photon-counting detectors. The spectroscopic capabilities of LUMOS are augmented by an FUV imaging channel (100-200nm, 13 milliarcsecond angular resolution, 2 x 2 arcminute field-of-view) that will employ a complement of narrow and medium-band filters. We present an overview of LUMOS' observing modes and estimated performance curves for effective area, spectral resolution, and imaging performance. Example "LUMOS 100-hour Highlights" observing programs are presented to demonstrate the potential power of LUVOIR's ultraviolet spectroscopic capabilities.