µ-Spec Integrated Spectrometers for Far-Infrared Spectroscopy in Space

Astrophysical observations of the far-infrared (far-IR) red-shifted emission lines (CO, CI, CII, NII, OI, OIII) from the cold molecular gas of galaxies, and star forming regions, trace the environments and dynamics of star and structure formation over the history of our universe, from the period of reionization until recent times. To observe the full range of emission lines over this cosmic timeline, broadband cryogenic spectrographs in space are required, which feature unprecedented background-limited sensitivities, and which can meet the low size, weight and power (SWAP) requirements of a space mission. µ-Spec is an integrated spectrometer, which realizes a far-IR grating-analog spectrometer on a 2D silicon chip, using superconducting microstrip transmission lines. In doing so, it reduces instrument size by an order of magnitude compared to a free-space grating. Several aspects of the µ-Spec design approach also provide the high performance that is needed for these future space spectrographs, including high efficiency, high spectral purity, high immunity to stray light and cross-talk, and via integrated superconducting kinetic inductance detectors (KIDs), near background-limited sensitivity. The µ-Spec technology has been demonstrated at a spectral resolution, R=λ/Δλ = 64 at 500-750 µm, and currently a R=512 µ-Spec design, operating from 555 - 714 µm, is in fabrication for the EXperiment for Cryogenic Large-Aperture Intensity Mapping (EXCLAIM) balloon mission. In the proposed APRA-ROSES development program we will advance the µ-Spec spectrometer technology towards the shorter-wave performance that will be required for future space missions. The objective for our proposed APRA program is to extend the spectral coverage of the spectrometer architecture down to optical wavelengths of 273 µm. Our current spectrometer design approach, implemented with niobium (Nb) microstrip lines, allows for designs operating down to 475 µm (the superconducting gap wavelength of Nb). In the first year of this program, we will refine niobium-titanium-nitride (NbTiN) films and patterning processes, and integrate these into the spectrometer fabrication process, which will allow us to implement the spectrometer design in NbTiN microstrip transmission lines, enabling operation down to optical wavelengths of 273 µm. We will redesign the current spectrometer component designs and the R=512 spectrometer grating design, to operate down to optical wavelengths of 273 µm. In the second and third years of our program we will fabricate and complete the full optical characterization of these NbTiN µ-Spec spectrometers. The demonstration of a µ-Spec design operating to 273 µm will be a significant advancement for the science capability of the u-Spec technology. It will enable future far-IR balloon and space science missions, to employ these low-SWAP integrated spectrometers, and provide new access to key emission lines. This includes for a balloon mission the ability to measure and map CII and NII emission lines over an expanded redshift range from z=4 to 1, to probe star formation as a function of redshift. For a future space mission, it will enable the ability to measure NII and OIII emission lines, and their ratio, to trace metallicity back to the period of reionization, while signifcantly reducing mission SWAP.

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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