SPIRou: a nIR spectropolarimeter / high-precision velocimeter for the CFHT

TL;DR

SPIRou is a near-infrared spectropolarimeter and velocimeter designed for CFHT to detect Earth-like planets around M stars and study star/planet formation, offering high precision and broad spectral coverage.

Contribution

This paper introduces SPIRou, a novel nIR instrument with unique capabilities for exoplanet detection and astrophysical studies, integrating advanced polarimetry and high-precision RV measurements.

Findings

Designed for 1 m/s RV precision

Covers 0.98-2.44 μm spectral range

Scheduled for first light in late 2017

Abstract

SPIRou is a near-infrared (nIR) spectropolarimeter / velocimeter for the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT), that will focus on two forefront science topics, (i) the quest for habitable Earth-like planets around nearby M stars, and (ii) the study of low-mass star/planet formation in the presence of magnetic fields. SPIRou will also efficiently tackle many key programmes beyond these two main goals, from weather patterns on brown dwarfs to Solar-System planet and exoplanet atmospheres. SPIRou will cover a wide spectral domain in a single exposure (0.98-2.44um at a resolving power of 70K, yielding unpolarized and polarized spectra of low-mass stars with a 15% average throughput at a radial velocity (RV) precision of 1 m/s. It consists of a Cassegrain unit mounted at the Cassegrain focus of CFHT and featuring an achromatic polarimeter, coupled to a cryogenic spectrograph cooled down at 80K through a fluoride fiber link. SPIRou is currently integrated at IRAP/OMP and will be mounted at CFHT in 2017 Q4 for a first light scheduled in late 2017. Science operation is predicted to begin in 2018 S2, allowing many fruitful synergies with major ground and space instruments such as the JWST, TESS, ALMA and later-on PLATO and the ELT.