Ultra-Low Noise Transition-Edge Sensor Bolometers for Far-Infrared Astronomy

Advances in superconducting detector technology are essential to enabling national science priorities in mid- and far-infrared (IR) astrophysics. Specifically, superconducting ultra-low noise detectors are required for implementing the Astro2020 Decadal Survey recommendation of a far-IR Probe mission beginning in 2030. The importance and need for these detectors in large-format arrays is recognized as a Tier-1 technology gap by the NASA Cosmic Origins Program (COR). We propose to develop absorber-coupled transition-edge-sensor (TES) bolometer arrays to address the need of future far-IR missions in space. The absorber-coupled TES technology has been employed in numerous pioneering sub-orbital far-IR and millimeter instruments. Absorber-coupled TESs can be used to efficiently detect light across the entire mid- and far-IR wavelength range. The typical detector requirements for a far-IR astrophysics mission concept are summarized as follows: (1) Highly sensitive detectors with performance approaching 10 zW/rtHz for background-limited operation in telescopes with cold optics. (2) A detector time constant in the millisecond range. (3) Optically efficient pixel architecture that is scalable to a kilo pixel format with uniform detector characteristics. (4) Compatibility with operation in the ionized particle radiation environment. This proposal seeks to implement and validate a unique TES bolometer design that promises 10 zW/rtHz sensitivity with a high (>70%) pixel filling fraction. The approach can be tailored to provide a sensitivity across 1000 to 10 zW/rtHz range, therefore enabling and enhancing the science potential of future sub-orbital and spaceborne far-IR imaging and mid-resolution spectroscopy instruments. The approach is based on engineering the thermal conductance of a bolometer with a coherent phononic filter, a structure which utilizes sub-wavelength features to reduce phonon transmission through coherent (Bragg) reflections. An absorber-coupled TES bolometer with phononic thermal isolation can simultaneously provide a high sensitivity and optical efficiency due to the compact nature of the phononic filter. Filters ~50 μm in length could achieve a sensitivity of 10 zW/rtHz for the most demanding spectroscopic instruments, while filters ~10 μm in length have been designed for 100 zW/rtHz sensitivity, which is suitable for the imager and spectrometer instruments on the Galaxy Evolution Probe concept. We propose a three-year effort to fabricate and test phononic-isolated TES arrays suitable for background-limited operation in a cryogenic space telescope. We have all the elements in place to succeed in this effort, including phononic filter designs, in-house state- of-the-art fabrication facilities, demonstrated mechanical robust pixels with phononic filter isolation structures, and a dark test environment. Our effort addresses the APRA solicitation for advancing detector design and operation towards highly sensitive, compact, and robust characteristics.

The Astrophysics Research and Analysis program (APRA) supports suborbital and suborbital-class investigations, development of detectors and supporting technology, laboratory astrophysics, and limited ground based observing. Basic research proposals in these areas are solicited for investigations that are relevant to NASA's programs in astronomy and astrophysics, including the entire range of photons, gravitational waves, and particle astrophysics. The emphasis of this solicitation is on technologies and investigations that advance NASA astrophysics missions and goals.

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