Scalable Microshutter Systems for Multi-object Spectroscopy

Multi-object spectroscopy (MOS) is a technology development priority of both the Decadal Survey: Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s (PDAA) and the current Cosmic Origins Program. Aperture control methods that are popular in ground-based MOS applications (e.g., robotically configured fibers and punch plates) are not practical options for spaceflight. Microshutter array technology solves this problem. A microshutter array functions as a slit mask. The array can be programed to provide any pattern of slits corresponding to sparsely distributed sources on the sky (like a punch plate). It can also be programmed to provide shaped slits on extended sources. Our first generation micro-shutter technology enabled realization of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Near Infrared Spectrometer (NIRSpec). This prior generation technology involved a combination of electrostatic and magnetic actuation which results in a heavy complex mechanical assembly that does not scale to larger formats required by the PDAA-recommended UVOIR strategic mission. Our NexGen Micro-Shutter Array (NGMSA) technology eliminates the magnetic actuation aspect, resulting in a shutter array that is scalable to large formats with very low mass, no external mechanical complexity, and no life-limited mechanical components. This major breakthrough has been demonstrated to TRL-9 in small 128 x 64 arrays of 200 x 100 micron aperture shutter pixels under prior APRA and GSFC internal investment funding. This proposal requests support to advance the above NGMSA state of art to a 736 x 384 pixel format with two side butt-ability to support the PDAA-recommended UVOIR strategic mission application discussed below. This proposal team has unique experience in development of both microshutter and micromirror multi-object spectrometers. Apart from the JWST NIRSpec flight instrument, we also developed the InfraRed Multi-object Spectrometer (IRMOS) ground-based instrument utilizing a Texas Instruments micro-mirror array. The PI of this proposal led the MOS aperture control technology development program for the JWST, which traded several micromirror and microshutter technologies through development of prototypes. The JWST trade study found that microshutters offer a fundamental advantage in achieving high on/off contrast in a low complexity instrument optical system. The NGMSA technology enables an on/off contrast of >1e5 – much higher than that achievable with micro-mirrors. The wide range of Decadal Survey mission concept studies that incorporated the NGMSA (LUVOIR, HabEx, CETUS) illustrates the broad science pull for maturation of this technology. Our technology development going forward will be focused tightly on the PDAA-recommended strategic mission requirements. This proposal team includes collaborators from both the LUVOIR and HabEx mission studies to ensure that the technology developed under this SAT project aligns tightly with its “pull technology” requirements. The current TRL status to the above strategic mission application is TRL-4. This proposal is responsive to the current COR Tier-1 priority technology gap entitled “High-efficiency UV multi-object spectrometers.” To support development of the Great Observatories Mission and Technology Maturation program for the PDAA-recommended UVOIR strategic mission on the PDAA-recommended schedule, it is imperative that maturation of the 736 x 384 mosaic building block array be approved on this SAT solicitation cycle.

The Strategic Astrophysics Technology program (SAT) supports focused development efforts for key technologies to the point at which they are ready to feed into major missions in the three science themes of the Astrophysics Division: Exoplanet Exploration, Cosmic Origins, and the Physics of the Cosmos. This program is specifically designed to address middle technology readiness level (TRL) "gaps" between levels 3 and 6: the maturation of technologies that have been established as feasible, but which are not yet sufficiently mature to incorporate into flight missions without introducing an unacceptable level of risk.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.