Liger at Keck Observatory: overall design specifications and science drivers

Abstract

Liger is a next-generation near-infrared (810 - 2450 nm) integral field spectrograph (IFS) and imaging camera for the Keck Observatory adaptive optics (AO) system. Liger will enable new science by providing enhanced capabilities, including higher spectral resolving power (R=4,000 – 10,000), access to shorter wavelengths (< 1000 nm), and larger fields of view (13 arcsec x 7 arcsec) than any current or planned ground- or space-based IFS system. The imaging camera sequentially feeds an IFS that makes use of slicer assembly unit and lenslet array. We will present the overall design of the Liger subsystems and review the key science drivers.