We present HighSpec – a spectrograph designed for the Multi-Aperture-Spectroscopic Telescope (MAST). HighSpec’s novel optical setup achieves high spectral resolution of R ∼ 20, 000, while maintaining an exceptionally high throughput with a peak efficiency of ≳ 55% over a narrow band-pass of ∼ 140 A. This is made possible by using highly optimized ion-etched binary mask gratings and an electron-multiplying CCD (EMCCD) detector. HighSpec will include three gratings which will be centered at the Ca II H&K lines, the Mgb lines, and the Hα line. Therefore, HighSpec is highly versatile. Its potential science cases include systematic surveys of flaring M dwarfs; Doppler tomography studies of exoplanet obliquity; dynamical studies of the local population of short-period double white dwarfs; and follow-up of candidate dormant black holes and neutrons stars in binary system.
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