On 16 June 2021, there was a half-day workshop on “Tailored Dispersing Elements for Astronomical Optical Spectrograph” to present the capabilities and activities in the design and manufacturing of VPHGs to improve the observing capabilities of astronomical facilities especially working in the ORP world.

The following action was the opening of the first call of these elements: “Designing and Manufacturing Of New Dispersing Elements Based On VPHG”. A total of 5 proposals with good quality and high scientific value were received.

One is related to the classification of transients, especially Supernovae, in the 0.35-1.0 micron spectral range with just one exposure by using a dual order VPHG with a low resolution. At present, the proposing team is working along the same lines by using two different VPHG one after the other.

Another one requires a VPHG for the K band with a medium resolution for the direct study of the atmosphere of hot Jupiters by means of infrared interferometry and to resolve the Br-Gamma line at 2.16 micron that is sensitive to various phenomena of stellar objects. This is challenging for the target spectral region.

The other three proposals have the same target instrumentation, but with three different resolutions, namely 500, 6000 and 20000 in the JH bands. The low resolution element is a normal VPHG and the high resolution a multilayer VPHG. The scientific goals are different depending on the resolution with exoplanets in mind for the low and medium resolution and dynamical evolution of multiple systems for the high resolution.

Most of the proposals fit in the Time Domain Astronomy (TDA) activity, which is part of the ORP project.

At the moment, a feasibility study is being performed, which is going to match our manufacturing capabilities with the requirements of the VPHGs. After that, a choice of 2-3 elements will be carried out considering the feasibility of the requested items. Before manufacturing, details will be discussed with the proposers.