The development of HISPEC for Keck and MODHIS for TMT: science cases and predicted sensitivities

TL;DR

HISPEC and MODHIS are high-resolution near-infrared spectrographs designed for Keck II and TMT, enabling advanced exoplanet studies through precise spectroscopy and radial velocity measurements, with detailed sensitivity predictions.

Contribution

This paper presents the design, scientific goals, and sensitivity estimates for the new HISPEC and MODHIS spectrographs for Keck II and TMT telescopes, focusing on exoplanet research.

Findings

Sensitivity curves for both instruments are provided.

Predicted radial velocity precision enables exoplanet mass measurements.

Science cases highlight exoplanet discovery and characterization capabilities.

Abstract

HISPEC is a new, high-resolution near-infrared spectrograph being designed for the W.M. Keck II telescope. By offering single-shot, R=100,000 between 0.98 - 2.5 um, HISPEC will enable spectroscopy of transiting and non-transiting exoplanets in close orbits, direct high-contrast detection and spectroscopy of spatially separated substellar companions, and exoplanet dynamical mass and orbit measurements using precision radial velocity monitoring calibrated with a suite of state-of-the-art absolute and relative wavelength references. MODHIS is the counterpart to HISPEC for the Thirty Meter Telescope and is being developed in parallel with similar scientific goals. In this proceeding, we provide a brief overview of the current design of both instruments, and the requirements for the two spectrographs as guided by the scientific goals for each. We then outline the current science case for HISPEC and MODHIS, with focuses on the science enabled for exoplanet discovery and characterization. We also provide updated sensitivity curves for both instruments, in terms of both signal-to-noise ratio and predicted radial velocity precision.