Understanding the chemical composition of exoplanet atmospheres is key to identifying habitable worlds and potential biosignatures. Current instruments face challenges in detecting weak atmospheric signals from small-sized exoplanets due to telluric and stellar contamination, spectral overlap, and limited resolution. To address this, we are developing VIOLA (Vipa-based Instrument for Oxygen Loaded Atmosphere), a compact, high-throughput, ultra-high-resolution spectrograph designed to target the J (1.1–1.3 μm) and H (1.5–1.7 μm) bands in a single exposure, with an additional channel for simultaneous stellar monitoring. VIOLA uses a Virtually Imaged Phased Array (VIPA) as its primary disperser, reaching a spectral resolution of R = 300,000, enabling the detection of key atmospheric molecules such as O₂, CH₄, CO₂, CO, H₂O, OH, and HCN around nearby M-dwarf super-Earth, sub-Neptune exoplanets from a ground-based observatory. By combining innovative optics with a flexible design compatible with multiple front ends, VIOLA will bridge the gap between current ground-based facilities and future ELT-class instruments, unlocking experimental exobiology in exoplanet atmospheres.
The Physics Frontiers Centers (PFC) program supports university-based centers and institutes where the collective efforts of a larger group of individuals can enable transformational advances in the most promising research areas. The program is designed to foster major breakthroughs at the intellectual frontiers of physics by providing needed resources such as combinations of talents, skills, disciplines, and/or specialized infrastructure, not usually available to individual investigators or small groups, in an environment in which the collective efforts of the larger group can be shown to be seminal to promoting significant progress in the science and the education of students. PFCs also include creative, substantive activities aimed at enhancing education, broadening participation of traditionally underrepresented groups, and outreach to the scientific community and general public.