LUVIS: An Ultraviolet SMEX mission optimized for the Lyman UV

Abstract

The Lyman UV Imaging Spectrograph (LUVIS) accomplishes priority UV science contained in the budget of a SMEX-class mission. LUVIS consists of a 0.5-m f/24 Cassegrain optical telescope assembly feeding a UV/ far-UV spectrometer. LUVIS has a long 6 arcmin slit enabling spectral imaging and is optimized for 102-140 nm with a resolving power of 20,000 on a Micro-channel Plate detector with a CsI photocathode. The light gathering power is designed to reach galaxies with near-UV fluxes as low as 10-14 erg/s/cm2/Å (and lower with long time exposures). The design approach encompasses a simple but elegant optical design, minimum number of reflective surfaces, limited mechanisms, and an orbit minimizing fuel requirements while offering operational advantages. All components are already at a high technology readiness level further reducing technical and cost risk to meet a SMEX budget with healthy cost reserves. © 2022 SPIE. All rights reserved.