DL-NIRSP is a diffraction grating based integral field spectrograph currently under development by the University of Hawaii for the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST). Its purpose is to study solar magnetic fields at high spatial resolution with high spectral resolution and polarimetric accuracy. Yet, the mission of the DL-NIRSP is to flexibly provide unprecedented simultaneity and coverage of the various domains of solar remote diagnostics for a wide range of solar targets and applications.
The solar atmosphere is a multi-scaled dynamic environment hosting large gradients in its thermal and magnetic properties. Our knowledge of this environment relies on diagnostics gleaned from four key domains: spatial, spectral, polarimetric, and temporal. The optimal and/or simultaneous measurement of these domains is technologically demanding and limited by telescope apertures and the solar brightness. Thus, most instruments sacrifice resolution, coverage, and/or simultaneity in one or more domains to better cover a limited subset of a particular domain.
Unlike any other instrument currently available to the solar community, DL-NIRSP prioritizes the simultaneity of spatial and spectral coverage. It is able to provide this capability via the novel use of fiber-optic based integral field spectroscopy. With this capability, observing schemes need only balance the scientific requirements for temporal resolution and spatial resolution/coverage.