  The solar physics community is entering a golden era that is ripe with
next-generation ground- and space-based facilities. With ever-increasing
resolving power stemming from the newest observational telescopes, it becomes
more challenging to obtain (near-)simultaneous measurements at high spatial,
temporal and spectral resolutions, while operating at the diffraction limit of
these new facilities. Hence, in recent years there has been increased interest
in the capabilities integral field units (IFUs) offer towards obtaining the
trifecta of high spatial, temporal and spectral resolutions contemporaneously.
To date, IFUs developed for solar physics research have focused on mid-optical
and infrared measurements. Here, we present an IFU prototype that has been
designed for operation within the near-ultraviolet to mid-optical wavelength
range, hence providing additional spectral coverage to the instrument suites
developed to date. The IFU was constructed as a low-budget proof-of-concept for
the upcoming 2m class Indian National Large Solar Telescope and employs
circular cross-section fibres to guide light into a Czerny-Turner configuration
spectrograph, with the resulting spectra captured using a high quantum
efficiency scientific CMOS camera. Mapping of each input fibre allows for the
reconstruction of two-dimensional spectral images, with frame rates exceeding
20 per second possible while operating in a non-polarimetric configuration. The
science verification data presented here highlights the suitability of
fibre-fed IFUs operating at near-ultraviolet wavelengths for solar physics
research. Importantly, the successful demonstration of this type of instrument
paves the way for further technological developments to make a future variant
suitable for upcoming ground-based and space-borne telescope facilities.
