Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer Low Moderate Resolution Spectrograph Conceptual Design

TL;DR

The paper presents the conceptual design of the Low Moderate Resolution spectrograph for the Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer, detailing its optical, mechanical, and performance specifications for a large-scale astronomical survey instrument.

Contribution

It introduces the detailed conceptual design of the LMR spectrograph for MSE, including optical and mechanical aspects and expected performance metrics.

Findings

Design achieves R>2500 and R>5000 resolutions in optical range

Optical and thermal performance targets are met in preliminary assessments

The instrument supports wide wavelength coverage from 360 to 1300 nm

Abstract

The Maunakea Spectroscopic Explorer (MSE) Project is a planned replacement for the existing 3.6-m Canada France Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) into a 10-m class dedicated wide field highly multiplexed fibre fed spectroscopic facility. MSE seeks to tackle basic science questions ranging from the origin of stars and stellar systems, Galaxy archaeology at early times, galaxy evolution across cosmic time, to cosmology and the nature of dark matter and dark energy. MSE will be a primary follow-up facility for many key future photometric and astrometric surveys, as well as a major component in the study of the multi-wavelength Universe. The MSE is based on a prime focus telescope concept which illuminate 3200 fibres or more. These fibres are feeding a Low Moderate Resolution (LMR) spectrograph and a High Resolution (HR). The LMR will provide 2 resolution modes at R>2500 and R>5000 on a wavelength range of 360 to 950 nm and a resolution of R>3000 on the 950 nm to 1300 nm bandwidth. Possibly the H band will be also covered by a second NIR mode from ranging from 1450 to 1780 nm. The HR will have a resolution of R>39000 on the 360 to 600 nm wavelength range and R>20000 on the 600 to 900 nm bandwidth. This paper presents the LMR design after its Conceptual Design Review held in June 2017. It focuses on the general concept, optical and mechanical design of the instrument. It describes the associated preliminary expected performances especially concerning optical and thermal performances.