Advanced Astronomical Instrumentation and Observational Studies of Early Supernovae, Optical Transients and Dwarf Galaxies

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I have recently established an active instrumentation program at the University of Toronto centered on developing instruments and technologies for near--infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. I also have initiated a new ambitious research program of studying early supernovae using a network of telescopes providing 24-hour continuous sky coverage which is suited for studying other types of optical transients and dwarf galaxies too. These research efforts have come of age and promise bright transitions to the next stages. I propose here to conduct research programs focused on advanced astronomical instrumentation and observational studies of early supernovae, optical transients and dwarf galaxies in coming years.******“Advanced Astronomical Instrumentation” I first plan to explore further new spectroscopic techniques based on polarization gratings (PGs) for high-throughput, broadband spectroscopy in the visible--NIR waveband. Recent rapid developments in the field of photonics now make it possible to fabricate PGs that can deliver an almost 100% diffraction efficiency over a broad spectral range. We have recently shown in real astronomical observations that the PGs can indeed achieve higher than 90% diffraction efficiencies over a broad spectral range in the visible. I propose to extend the PG techniques to the NIR regime, e.g., 0.6--2.4 micron simultaneously. Once successfully developed, this new grating technology is expected to dramatically enhance the efficiency of spectroscopic observations in the visible-NIR waveband. On the other hand, our NIR instrumentation group is leading Canada--wide efforts for the development of Gemini Infrared Multi--Object Spectrograph, and I plan to make significant contributions to all aspects of its development.******“Observational Research” I am the PI of the KMTNet (Korea Microlensing Telescope Network) Supernova Program (KSP). The KMTNet consists of a network of three 1.6--m wide-field (4 square degrees) optical telescopes located in Chile, South Africa and Australia, providing 24--hour continuous sky coverage. KSP is optimized for detecting early supernovae and rapid optical transients. The program, which started in 2015, has now matured and has detected numerous interesting optical transients, including many early supernovae detected within a few hours to days from the explosion, providing a new opportunity for understanding how supernova explode and their progenitors. I propose to conduct observational research into these transients from KSP, focusing on understanding supernova explosion mechanisms and their progenitors. Additionally, the deep stack images obtained in KSP have detected more than several hundreds of new dwarf galaxies, and I propose to study the properties and origins of these dwarf galaxies. Finally, using the observing time associated with the two NIR spectrographs that I have recently commissioned, I plan to engage in several observing programs assuming a limited role. *****