A Monolithic Cross-Dispersed Grism for Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

As space-based missions increase in cost, size, and time to build, it is becoming increasingly important to innovate technology that allows for the development of compact and lightweight instruments with simple designs that enable high-quality science. Grisms have become a popular optic for use in imaging-spectrograph instruments (e.g. WFC3 on Hubble & NIRCam on JWST), but most of the existing instruments only offer low-resolution spectroscopy and can require a secondary filter wheel containing a separate dispersing optic, which introduces light-loss, spurious reflections, and alignment issues. We propose the development of a first-of-its-kind silicon monolithic cross-dispersed grism with a high-order grating on the entrance face and a low-order cross disperser on the exit face. We will develop a lab prototype of a mid-resolution (R = 10,000) H-band silicon monolithic cross-dispersed grism spectrograph (X-DiGS) to demonstrate the promise of the device. The grating design of the monolithic cross-dispersed grism follows the procedures developed in our experience designing the grisms for FORCAST on the SOFIA Airborne Observatory and NIRCam on JWST. The entry face of the monolithic cross-dispersed grism will be patterned using our contact lithography process and chemically etched while the exit face of the cross-dispersed grism will be patterned using electron beam lithography and etched using the grayscale technique. I will complete a detailed optical design of X-DiGS using Zemax OpticsStudio. I hope to use the visiting technologist experience (VTE) the NSTGRO provides to connect with NASA experts that can teach me the e-beam lithography process and provide mentorship for learning industry standard opto-mechanical design tools. After assembling X-DiGS in the cleanroom at UT Austin, we will test X-DiGSs' sensitivity to methane using an existing methane test cell. The manufacturing of a silicon monolithic cross-dispersed grism and development of X-DiGS will provide integral technology development for any future IR/O/UV space telescope and directly contribute to NASA's goal of developing transformative technologies for science instrumentation as outlined in the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD). Additionally, we expect a monolithic cross-dispersed grism spectrograph to have up to an order-of-magnitude higher resolution at a lower cost than current space-based airborne missions used to detect methane in the Earth's atmosphere. Through the manufacturing and design of a monolithic mid-resolution cross-dispersed grism spectrograph we contribute to NASA's goal of developing transformative technologies for science instrumentation as outlined in the STMD for the purpose of addressing NASA Strategic Objective 1.1: Understanding the Earth system and its climate. Finally, through support of the NSTGRO, I will have the unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience with silicon manufacturing techniques, instrument design, and instrument construction, which I hope to apply to building the next generation of NASA astronomical instruments.

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.

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