Photonic High-Resolution Broadband Spectrographs for Space-Based Astrophysics Missions

We propose to develop a high-resolution broadband photonic spectrograph in the Near-Infrared (NIR), able to achieve spectral resolving powers of at least 100,000 in a band from 1400-1600 nanometers. The extension to broader bands, and optical wavelengths will also be explored. The photonic spectrograph is a novel concept, integrating a photonic Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) able to dynamically modulate large amplitude “path length” phase shifts of one arm of an on-chip Mach Zehnder interferometer upstream of a static Arrayed Waveguide Grating (AWG). The static AWG provides a spectral decomposition of a bandpass into discrete sub-bands, which can be further demultiplexed with the linear combination of intensity measurements at various FTS path length differences. The hybrid approach enables AWG photonic spectrographs at resolving powers of 10,000 to be further enhanced in spectral resolution by a factor of 10 or more. This enables an entirely photonic, on-chip, photonic spectrograph capable of spectral resolutions required to enhance the general astrophysics science possible with future space-based missions such as the Decadal flagship "Infra-Red Optical UV" (IROUV) mission concept. The advantages of a photonic spectrograph capable of these resolving powers over broad bands in the NIR and optical are savings in Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) which also have the potential for improved thermal and mechanical stability of spectral response functions, as required by precision spectral reconstruction. We will design and procure these devices, and demonstrate their required calibration and real-time metrology. We will also integrate the devices in the Palomar Radial Velocity Instrument (PARVI) instrument for on-sky demos as a proof of concept, paving the way to infusion in future space-based instruments.

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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