Seminar: The POLLUX high-resolution spectropolarimeter and the exoplanet science case

POLLUX is a candidate European instrumental contribution to the Habitable Worlds Observatory, designed to advance our understanding of the universe through its exceptional capabilities. This high-resolution spectropolarimeter (R > 60,000) offers nearly continuous coverage from the far-ultraviolet (~110 nm) to the near-infrared (~1.6 microns), making it a versatile tool for a wide range of scientific investigations from solar system studies to cosmology. Exoplanet research is a key focus of POLLUX, driving much of its design. In this presentation, I will explore the instrument's exoplanet science cases. These include star-planet interactions leveraging POLLUX's ultraviolet spectropolarimetric capabilities to probe the dynamic interactions between stars and their orbiting planets; atmospheric characterisation utilising its unique high spectral resolution and broad simultaneous wavelength coverage (spanning from Ly-alpha to the near-infrared) to analyse exoplanet atmospheres in unprecedented detail; and surface composition of rocky exoplanets investigating the surface materials of rocky exoplanets using POLLUX's ultraviolet high-resolution capabilities. POLLUX is set to redefine the boundaries of exoplanet science, providing unparalleled insights into the composition, dynamics, and environments of distant worlds.