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Active TRL 2 (started at 2, targeting 3)
Diffuse gas in the intergalactic and circumgalactic media makes up half the normal matter in the universe, yet it is poorly understood because of limitations in instrumentation and the capabilities of current X-ray observatories. I want to advance the state of the instrumentation by investigating improvements in high energy resolution X-ray detectors, increasing the angular field of view of the superconducting magnetic shielding they require, and developing infrared blocking filters with high efficiency for the low energy X rays that are of particular interest. We will use these enhancements for a new sounding rocket instrument we are developing to study hot phases of the local interstellar medium. These developments have the potential to be useful for major missions involving high resolution X-ray detectors, like Athena, Lynx and LEM. I am excited to collaborate with NASA experts on making better X-ray detectors to understand the mysteries of the universe.
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