  High-resolution spectroscopy is a key element for present and future
astronomical instrumentation. In particular, coupled to high contrast imagers
and coronagraphs, high spectral resolution enables higher contrast and has been
identified as a very powerful combination to characterise exoplanets, starting
from giant planets now, up to Earth-like planet eventually for the future
instruments. In this context, we propose the implementation of an innovative
echelle spectrometer based on the use of VIPA (Virtually Imaged Phased Array,
Shirasaki 1996). The VIPA itself is a particular kind of Fabry-Perot
interferometer, used as an angular disperser with much greater dispersive power
than common diffraction grating. The VIPA is an efficient, small component (3
cm x 2.4 cm), that takes the very advantage of single mode injection in a
versatile design. The overall instrument presented here is a proof-of-concept
of a compact, high-resolution (R > 80 000) spectrometer, dedicated to the H and
K bands, in the context of the project High-Dispersion Coronagrahy developed at
IPAG. The optical bench has a foot-print of 40 cm x 26 cm ; it is fed by two
Single-Mode Fibers (SMF), one dedicated to the companion, and one to the star
and/or to a calibration channel, and is cooled down to 80 K.
  This communication first presents the scientific and instrumental context of
the project, and the principal merit of single-mode operations in
high-resolution spectrometry. After recalling the physical structure of the
VIPA and its implementation in an echelle-spectrometer design, it then details
the optical design of the spectrometer. In conclusion, further steps
(integration, calibration, coupling with adaptive optics) and possible
optimization are briefly presented.
  Keywords: Echelle Spectrometer, High Spectral Resolution, Exoplanets,
High-Dispersion Coronography, Infrared, Adaptive Optics, SPHERE
