arXiv subjects

Kevin Bundy

Publications and source records attributed to Kevin Bundy.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Demonstrating the integration of a photonic lantern with an all-fiber-based nulling interferometer

High-contrast imaging of Solar System scale exoplanets and protoplanets demands advancements in instrumentation to access deeper starlight suppression at smaller angular separations than today's state-of-the-art. The multi-mode to single-mode conversion capabilities of photonic lanterns (PLs) provide new avenues to implement techniques such as nulling interferometry due to the inherent spatial filtering of single-mode waveguides. In this work, we present laboratory results on an all-fiber-based focal plane nulling interferometer using off-the-shelf components operating at 1550 nm. We demonstrate the implementation of a PL for coupling light into the instrument, and compare it to the case when laser light is directly fed into the interferometer. The integration of a PL with the interferometer evidences their potential for feeding photonic-based science instruments. Additionally, we discuss expanding the concept of the instrument for the detection of accreting protoplanets.

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arXiv2026

Experimentally-determined performance limits for joint imaging and wavefront sensing with a photonic lantern

The photonic lantern (PL) is a focal-plane wavefront sensor (WFS) that can be used for second-stage control of extreme adaptive optics (AO) systems. While the number of sensed modes and the dynamic range with respect to each mode have been relatively well characterized, little attention has been paid to the PL's sensitivity, i.e. how measurement noise impacts the accuracy of PL wavefront reconstruction. We compute the PL's sensitivity to photon noise as a function of spatial frequency, and compare it to existing WFSs, using simulations as well as experiments on the muirSEAL testbed. We further assess these metrics in the case where only a subset of PL ports are available for wavefront sensing. In this configuration, the remaining ports are used to spatially and spectrally reconstruct the observed scene using algorithms such as SPADE. Using more ports for wavefront sensing enables greater aberration sensitivity but leaves less spatial information for image reconstruction. This allows us to trade off between fewer samples with smaller aberrations and more samples with larger aberrations. This work sets the stage for AO system design incorporating the PL as a joint WFS and imager.

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arXiv2026

Laboratory characterization of a multi-photonic lantern optical waveguide using off-axis holography

Photonic lanterns (PLs) are waveguides that convert multi-mode input light to single-mode outputs. Wavefront sensing (WFS) and spectroscopy using a PL have been demonstrated, but PL simulations and experiments show significant mismatches. For the WaveDriver project, a proposed Habitable Worlds Observatory pathfinder that uses a PL for WFS as well as for integral field spectroscopy, we manufactured an optical waveguide consisting of an array of seven 19-port PLs in one device. We present laboratory characterization of the individual PLs, consisting of measurements of the principal modes at each PL input using digital off-axis holography. We compare our mode measurements to simulations to assess the variation in the PL manufacturing process. We discuss expected WFS performance in the WaveDriver configuration.

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arXiv2026

Galactic Rain: Cool Gas Inflows in Red Geyser Galaxies and Their Connection to AGN Activity and Interactions

Red geysers are a population of massive (log[M/M$_\odot$]~10.5), quiescent galaxies that exhibit large-scale but weak, bi-symmetric ionized gas outflows, interpreted as signatures of ongoing, low-level active galactic nucleus (AGN) feedback. We investigate the kinematics and prevalence of cool (T~100-1000K), neutral gas traced by Na I D absorption, and its connection to galaxy environment and AGN activity. Using 140 red geyser galaxies from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey-IV Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA), we measure spatially resolved velocities and dispersions via double-Gaussian fits to the Na I D doublet. We find that ~70% of the cool gas is inflowing, with a median velocity of ~47 km/s (~10% of the expected free-fall speed), and also exhibits kinematically ordered motions with ${\sigma}_{NaD}$/${\sigma_*}$~0.4. Additionally, the Na I D absorption is more prevalent in red geysers than in a matched control sample, showing a higher detection fraction (63% vs 40%) and reservoir areas ~1.6 times larger. Acceleration (~1 Myr) and accretion (~20 Myr) timescales indicate that the absorbing clouds are likely young and short-lived. Another intriguing result is that radio-detected red geysers (30% of the sample) show inflowing gas reservoirs ~7 times larger than in non-radio systems. Similarly, galaxies subject to environmental effects host inflowing gas reservoirs ~2.7 times larger than isolated red geysers. We take this as evidence that galaxy interactions play a key role in replenishing the cool gas reservoirs of red geysers, fueling central AGN activity, sustaining radio emission, and regulating long-term quiescence. These findings reveal that quiescent systems are governed by cycles of inflow, feedback, and regulation.

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arXiv2026

Predicting Resolved Dust Attenuation from Local Galaxy Properties Using MaNGA

Accurate spatially resolved dust corrections are critical for interpreting the structure and evolution of star-forming galaxies (SFGs). We present an empirical model for predicting spatially resolved dust attenuation ($A_V$) in SFGs using integral field spectroscopy from the Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA) survey. Using a sample of 5,155 galaxies over $7.20<M_\ast<11.14$ and $0.0002 < z < 0.1444$, we derive $A_V$ maps from the Balmer decrement across more than 1,898,954 star-forming spaxels. Using local star formation rate surface density ($\Sigma_{\text{SFR}}$) as a predictor, the model achieves $R^2 = 0.69$ and RMSE $=0.22$ mag, with residuals that are approximately Gaussian and centred near zero. It predicts $A_V$ within a factor of $\sim$1.3 on kpc scales. We also demonstrate that the relation can be applied iteratively to recover dust-corrected $\Sigma_{\mathrm{SFR}}$ from uncorrected values, converging by the fourth iteration with minimal residual bias ($-0.01$ mag) and low RMSE ($0.42$ mag). The model accurately reproduces $A_V$ maps across diverse morphologies and orientations, including edge-on systems. It also recovers the observed radial $A_V$ profiles, capturing their dependence on stellar mass and relative star formation activity, with more massive and more strongly star-forming galaxies showing steeper gradients.

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arXiv2026

MSA-3D: Connecting the Chemical and Kinematic Structures of Galaxies at $z \sim 1$

We investigate the connection between ionized gas kinematics and gas-phase metallicity gradients in 21 star-forming galaxies at $0.5 < z < 1.7$ from the MSA-3D survey, using spatially resolved JWST/NIRSpec slit-stepping observations. Galaxy kinematics are characterized by the ratio of rotational velocity to intrinsic velocity dispersion, $v/\sigma$, measured at $1.5\,R_e$, where $R_e$ is the effective radius. We find that dynamically hotter disks exhibit systematically flatter metallicity gradients, with a moderate anti-correlation between metallicity gradient and $v/\sigma$ (Pearson $r=-0.43$, $p=0.05$) and a linear fit yields a slope of $\sim 0.005$ dex per dex in $v/\sigma$, weaker than the dependence on stellar mass. A significantly stronger anti-correlation is observed with $R_e/\sigma$, interpreted as a proxy for the radial mixing timescale ($r=-0.59$, $p=0.005$), indicating that cumulative radial mixing more directly regulates chemical stratification. The metallicity gradients in our sample are uniformly shallow, indicating that efficient turbulent mixing in kinematically settled disks regulates the chemical structure of typical star-forming galaxies at $z\sim1$.

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arXiv2025

On-sky demonstration of second-stage wavefront control with a photonic lantern

Ground-based direct imaging of exoplanets at high contrast requires precise correction of atmospheric turbulence using adaptive optics (AO). The planet-to-star contrast ratio at small angular separations from the host star is often limited by non-common-path aberrations (NCPAs) seen only in the science plane. The photonic lantern (PL) can be used to sense aberrations at the final science imaging plane. This enables a two-stage wavefront control architecture, in which the first-stage wavefront sensor senses atmospheric turbulence and the PL senses NCPAs and other aberrations not seen by the first stage. We demonstrate closed-loop control of residual wavefront errors using a non-dispersed PL after first-stage AO correction on the Shane 3m telescope at Lick Observatory. Our results show that non-dispersed PLs can be used for second-stage wavefront sensing, enabling performance improvements via minimally invasive retrofits to existing AO systems.

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arXiv2025

MSA-3D: Uncovering Weak AGNs and Resolved Outflows in Disguise in $z\sim1$ Star-Forming Galaxies

We present spatially resolved rest-optical spectroscopy of 38 star-forming galaxies at 0.5 < z < 1.7 from the JWST/NIRSpec MSA-3D survey, which uses slit-stepping to build IFU-like datacubes at 0.1'' resolution. We map emission-line morphology, excitation, and kinematics of the warm ionized gas using [N II]/H$\alpha$, [S II]/H$\alpha$, and [O III]/H$\beta$. Relative to z$\sim$0 galaxies at fixed stellar mass, our sources show systematically lower [N II]/H$\alpha$ and [S II]/H$\alpha$ and elevated [O III]/H$\beta$, consistent with harder radiation fields and lower metallicities. Radially, [O III]/H$\beta$ profiles are typically flat or mildly positive, whereas [N II]/H$\alpha$ also remains flat or declines outward, mirroring metallicity trends. On kpc scales, we find a strong positive correlation between [N II]/H$\alpha$ and velocity dispersion ($\sigma$), linking local excitation to turbulent or shock-driven kinematics. Six galaxies ($\sim$ 16% of the sample) host spatially localized regions with elevated [N II]/H$\alpha$, high EW(H$\alpha$), and V_RMS = $\sqrt{V^2 + \sigma^2} > 200$ km/s, indicative of weak AGN activity, shocks, or outflows. For these candidates we infer modest warm-ionized outflow rates of 1-4 Msun/yr and kinetic powers $\sim$ 0.1-1% of the AGN bolometric luminosity (from central [O III] or H$\alpha$). These values place our sample at the low-energy tail of known AGN-driven outflows yet in continuity with $\dot{M_{out}}-L_{AGN}$ scaling relations across 0 < z < 6. A completeness assessment shows MSA-3D is sensitive to AGN with $L_{AGN} \geq 10^{43}$ erg/s, underscoring both the promise and current limitations of detecting weak AGN activity in distant galaxies with resolved spectroscopy.

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arXiv2025

WaveDriver: a Laser Guide Star AO System for HWO

HWO's Tier 1 Contrast Stability Technology Gap presents a key challenge for technology development in the coming years, requiring to a >100x more stable system than JWST. WaveDriver is a concept for a laser guide star spacecraft coupled to an adaptive optics (AO) system onboard HWO that would enable HWO to reach its picometer-level wavefront stability requirements while relaxing other HWO subsystem requirements. At LLNL and UCSC we are revisiting the concept initially proposed by Douglas et al. (2019). We present results from our project's first year, including (1) AO control developments, including with Linear Quadratic Gaussian control and machine learning, (2) AO wavefront sensor (WFS) trade study simulations, and (3) simulations, fabrication, and testing of a 133-port photonic lantern WFS/spectrograph. A key finding from our work is that WaveDriver could be needed to enable HWO's primary mirror segment stability and/or low order wavefront stability requirements.

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arXiv2025

Experimental validation of photonic lantern imaging and wavefront sensing performance

Photonic lanterns (PLs) are fiber-based waveguides that are capable of focal-plane wavefront sensing while simultaneously directing light to downstream science instruments. The optimal choice of wavefront reconstruction algorithm has yet to be determined, and likely depends on the particular observing scenario under consideration. Previous work in simulation suggests that PLs can be used for nonlinear wavefront sensing for several applications, including sensing the low-wind effect and correcting large-amplitude aberrations. We present the design of muirSEAL (miniature IR SEAL), a testbed designed to test PL wavefront reconstruction over Zernike modes and segmented-mirror offsets. We demonstrate throughput and linear wavefront reconstruction at multiple f-numbers. We further present initial laboratory imaging of a new photonic lantern fabricated at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

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arXiv2024

Galaxy assembly bias in the stellar-to-halo mass relation for red central galaxies from SDSS

We report evidence of galaxy assembly bias - the correlation between galaxy properties and biased secondary halo properties at fixed halo mass (M$_H$) - in the stellar-to-halo mass relation (SHMR) for red central galaxies from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. In the M$_H = 10^{11.5}-10^{13.5} h^{-1}$ M$_{\odot}$ range, central galaxy stellar mass (M$_*$) is correlated with the number density of galaxies within $10 h^{-1}$ Mpc ($\delta_{10}$), a common proxy for halo formation time. This galaxy assembly bias signal is also present when M$_H$, M$_*$, and $\delta_{10}$ are substituted with group luminosity, galaxy luminosity, and metrics of the large-scale density field. To associate differences in $\delta_{10}$ with variations in halo formation time, we fitted a model that accounts for (1) errors in the M$_H$ measured by the Tinker 2021, 2022 group catalog and (2) the level of correlation between halo formation time and M$_*$ at fixed M$_H$. Fitting of this model yields that (1) errors in M$_H$ are 0.15 dex and (2) halo formation time and M$_*$ are strongly correlated (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient ~0.85). At fixed M$_H$, variations of ~0.4 dex in M$_*$ are associated with ~1-3 Gyr variations in halo formation time and in galaxy formation time (from stellar population fitting; Oyarz\'un et al. 2022). These results are indicative that halo properties other than M$_H$ can impact central galaxy assembly.

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arXiv2024

MSA-3D: Metallicity Gradients in Galaxies at $z\sim1$ with JWST/NIRSpec Slit-stepping Spectroscopy

The radial gradient of gas-phase metallicity is a powerful probe of the chemical and structural evolution of star-forming galaxies, closely tied to disk formation and gas kinematics in the early universe. We present spatially resolved chemical and dynamical properties for a sample of 25 galaxies at $0.5 \lesssim z \lesssim 1.7$ from the \msasd survey. These innovative observations provide 3D spectroscopy of galaxies at a spatial resolution approaching JWST's diffraction limit and a high spectral resolution of $R\simeq2700$. The metallicity gradients measured in our galaxy sample range from $-$0.03 to 0.02 dex~kpc$^{-1}$. Most galaxies exhibit negative or flat radial gradients, indicating lower metallicity in the outskirts or uniform metallicity throughout the entire galaxy. We confirm a tight relationship between stellar mass and metallicity gradient at $z\sim1$ with small intrinsic scatter of 0.02 dex~kpc$^{-1}$. Our results indicate that metallicity gradients become increasingly negative as stellar mass increases, likely because the more massive galaxies tend to be more ``disky". This relationship is consistent with the predictions from cosmological hydrodynamic zoom-in simulations with strong stellar feedback. This work presents the effort to harness the multiplexing capability of JWST NIRSpec/MSA in slit-stepping mode to map the chemical and kinematic profiles of high-redshift galaxies in large samples and at high spatial and spectral resolution.

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arXiv2024

MSA-3D: dissecting galaxies at z~1 with high spatial and spectral resolution

Integral field spectroscopy (IFS) is a powerful tool for understanding the formation of galaxies across cosmic history. We present the observing strategy and first results of MSA-3D, a novel JWST program using multi-object spectroscopy in a slit-stepping strategy to produce IFS data cubes. The program observed 43 normal star-forming galaxies at redshifts $0.5 \lesssim z \lesssim 1.5$, corresponding to the epoch when spiral thin-disk galaxies of the modern Hubble sequence are thought to emerge, obtaining kpc-scale maps of rest-frame optical nebular emission lines with spectral resolution $R\simeq2700$. Here we describe the multiplexed slit-stepping method which is $>15$ times more efficient than the NIRSpec IFS mode for our program. As an example of the data quality, we present a case study of an individual galaxy at $z=1.104$ (stellar mass $M_{*} = 10^{10.3}~M_{\odot}$, star formation rate~$=3~M_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$) with prominent face-on spiral structure. We show that the galaxy exhibits a rotationally supported disk with moderate velocity dispersion ($\sigma = 36^{+5}_{-4}$~\kms), a negative radial metallicity gradient ($-0.020\pm0.002$~dex\,kpc$^{-1}$), a dust attenuation gradient, and an exponential star formation rate density profile which closely matches the stellar continuum. These properties are characteristic of local spirals, indicating that mature galaxies are in place at $z\sim1$. We also describe the customized data reduction and original cube-building software pipelines which we have developed to exploit the powerful slit-stepping technique. Our results demonstrate the ability of JWST slit-stepping to study galaxy populations at intermediate to high redshifts, with data quality similar to current surveys of the $z\sim0.1$ universe.

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arXiv2024

Ionized gas in quiescent galaxies: Temperature measurement and constraint on the ionization source

In non-star-forming, passively evolving galaxies, regions with emission lines dominated by low-ionization species are classified as Low-Ionization Emission Regions (LIERs). The ionization mechanism behind such regions has long been a mystery. Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs), which were once believed to be the source, have been found not to be the dominant mechanism, especially in regions distant from the galaxy nuclei. The remaining candidates, photoionization by post-Asymtopic Giant Branch (pAGB) stars and interstellar shocks can only be distinguished with in-depth analysis. As the temperature predictions of these two models differ, temperature measurements can provide strong constraints on this puzzle. We selected a sample of 2795 quiescent red-sequence galaxies from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV (SDSS-IV) Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA) survey. We divided the sample spectra into three groups based on their [N II]/H$\alpha$ flux ratio and utilized stacking techniques to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the observed spectra. We determined the temperature of [O III], [N II], [S II], and [O II] through their temperature-sensitive emission line ratios. Subsequently, we compared the measured temperatures with predictions from different models. The results demonstrate consistency with the interstellar shock model with preshock density n = 1 cm$^{-3}$ and solar metallicity, thus supporting shocks as the dominant ionization source of LIERs. Additionally, we also find that the interstellar dust extinction value measured through the Balmer decrement appears to be larger than that implied by the forbidden line ratios of low-ionization lines.

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arXiv2024

SDSS-IV MaNGA: Stellar rotational support in disk galaxies vs. central surface density and stellar population age

We investigate how the stellar rotational support changes as a function of spatially resolved stellar population age ($\rm D_n4000$) and relative central stellar surface density ($\Delta \Sigma_1$) for MaNGA isolated/central disk galaxies. We find that the galaxy rotational support $\lambda_{R_\mathrm{e}}$ varies smoothly as a function of $\Delta \Sigma_1$ and $\rm D_n4000$. $\rm D_n4000$ vs. $\Delta \Sigma_1$ follows a "J-shape", with $\lambda_{R_\mathrm{e}}$ contributing to the scatters. In this "J-shaped" pattern rotational support increases with central $\rm D_n4000$ when $\Delta \Sigma_1$ is low but decreases with $\Delta \Sigma_1$ when $\Delta \Sigma_1$ is high. Restricting attention to low-$\Delta \Sigma_1$ (i.e, large-radius) galaxies, we suggest that the trend of increasing rotational support with $\rm D_n4000$ for these objects is produced by a mix of two different processes, a primary trend characterized by growth in $\lambda_{R_\mathrm{e}}$ along with mass through gas accretion, on top of which disturbance episodes are overlaid, which reduce rotational support and trigger increased star formation. An additional finding is that star forming galaxies with low $\Delta \Sigma_1$ have relatively larger radii than galaxies with higher $\Delta \Sigma_1$ at fixed stellar mass. Assuming that these relative radii rankings are preserved while galaxies are star forming then implies clear evolutionary paths in central $\rm D_n4000$ vs. $\Delta \Sigma_1$. The paper closes with comments on the implications that these paths have for the evolution of pseudo-bulges vs. classical-bulges. The utility of using $\rm D_n4000$-$\Delta \Sigma_1$ to study $\lambda_{R_\mathrm{e}}$ reinforces the notion that galaxy kinematics correlate both with structure and with stellar-population state, and indicates the importance of a multi-dimensional description for understanding bulge and galaxy evolution.

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arXiv2024

The Strength of Bisymmetric Modes in SDSS-IV/MaNGA Barred Galaxy Kinematics

The SDSS-IV/MaNGA Survey data provide an unprecedented opportunity to study the internal motions of galaxies and, in particular, represent the largest sample of barred galaxy kinematic maps obtained to date. We present results from Nirvana, our non-axisymmetric kinematic modeling code built with a physically-motivated Bayesian forward modeling approach, which decomposes MaNGA velocity fields into first- and second-order radial and tangential rotational modes in a generalized and minimally-supervised fashion. We use Nirvana to produce models and rotation curves for 1263 unique barred MaNGA galaxies and a matched unbarred control sample We present our modeling approach, tests of its efficacy, and validation against existing visual bar classifications. Nirvana finds elevated non-circular motions in galaxies identified as bars in imaging, and bar position angles that agree well with visual measurements. The Nirvana-MaNGA barred and control samples provide a new opportunity for studying the influence of non-axisymmetric internal disk kinematics in a large statistical sample.

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arXiv2024

Laboratory demonstration of an all-fiber-based focal plane nulling interferometer

Starlight suppression techniques for High-Contrast Imaging (HCI) are crucial to achieving the demanding contrast ratios and inner working angles required for detecting and characterizing exoplanets with a wide range of masses and separations. The advent of photonic technologies provides new opportunities to control the amplitude and phase characteristics of light, with the potential to enhance and control starlight suppression. Here, we present a focal plane optical-fiber-based nulling interferometer working with commercially available components for amplitude and phase modulation. The instrument implements single-mode fiber-coupled elements: a MEMS variable optical attenuator (VOA) matches the on-axis and off-axis starlight amplitude, while a piezoelectric-driven fiber stretcher modifies the optical path difference between the channels to achieve the $\pi$ phase shift condition for destructive interference. We show preliminary lab results using a narrowband light source working at 632 nm and discuss future opportunities for testing on-sky with the Astrophotonics Advancement Platform at Lick Observatory (APALO) at the Shane 3-m Telescope.

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arXiv2024

Photonic lantern wavefront reconstruction in a multi-wavefront sensor single-conjugate adaptive optics system

Exoplanet direct imaging using adaptive optics (AO) is often limited by non-common path aberrations (NCPAs) and aberrations that are invisible to traditional pupil-plane wavefront sensors (WFSs). This can be remedied by focal-plane (FP) WFSs that characterize aberrations directly from a final science image. Photonic lanterns (PLs) can act as low-order FPWFSs with the ability to direct some light to downstream science instruments. Using a PL on the SEAL (Santa Cruz Extreme AO Laboratory) high-contrast imaging testbed, we demonstrate (1) linear ranges and (2) closed-loop control. Additionally, we simulate the use of the PL in a multi-wavefront sensor AO system, in which multiple WFSs feed back to the same common-path deformable mirror. Building on previous multi-WFS AO demonstrations on SEAL, we simulate a modulated pyramid WFS to sense aberrations of high spatial order and large amplitude, and the PL to sense low order aberrations including NCPAs. We assess adaptive optics performance in this setting using three different PL wavefront reconstruction algorithms. We also provide a new method to experimentally identify the propagation matrix of a PL, making advanced model-based algorithms practical. This work demonstrates the role of photonic technologies and multi-stage wavefront sensing in the context of extreme AO and high contrast imaging.

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