A New Way to Obtain Optical Spectra

We have invented a new way to do optical spectroscopy, which involves being able to change the spectral point-spread-function without changing the f-ratio.  This effect allows us to build high-spectral resolution optical systems that do not absorb light on the jaws of a slit.  The end result is that this technology increases the photon rate on the detector by more than an order of magnitude compared to what is possible with slit-based spectrometers.  I will show how this is accomplished, and briefly illustrate some of the implications for observations astrophysics.