A Densely Sampled Integral Field Spectrometer to Enable Space-Based Millimeter-Wave Line Intensity Mapping Surveys

I propose to develop and demonstrate the focal plane for a compact, scalable, Integral Field Spectrometer (IFS), a type of spectral camera, to detect mm-wavelength light from the sky with the highest sensitivity of any instrument of its type. Compact and scalable mm-wave IFSs are the key to understanding the cosmic origins and evolution of the early universe. They will enable orders of magnitude higher sensitivity and space-based missions for 3-dimensional surveys of the distribution of distant light-emitting gas and dust, called Line Intensity Mapping (LIM) surveys. These surveys will uncover previously unexplored periods of cosmology when the stars and galaxies were first forming, since they trace the three-dimensional structure and expansion history of the early universe, providing insight into dark matter, dark energy, and the cosmic dawn. The proposed instrument can constrain cosmological variables more than any current LIM detector since it maps the sky 32 times faster than any current generation instrument. This is due to the scalability of its focal plane--its detectors are efficiently packed. It is designed to see through atmospheric windows that allow it to detect light re-radiated by hot carbon monoxide in the present to early universe. The compact form-factor and high sensitivity make it an enabling technology for future space-based LIM missions. This proposal seeks to raise the technology readiness level of the instrument from 2 to 4, providing a laboratory demonstration of the technology--a key milestone toward future large-scale LIM surveys from balloons and from space.

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