µ-Spec: An Integrated Spectrometer for Terahertz Space Spectroscopy

Completed TRL 5 (started at 4, targeting 6)

Description

Under APRA funding, we have developed a fully integrated R~64 submillimeter spectrometer. Using only single crystal Si and superconductors, our fabrication process is designed with the goal of minimizing loss in the spectrometer. High performance designs have been developed for all the required elements of the spectrometer. For example the slot antenna, power divider microstip delay lines, absorbers, and M icrowave Kinetic Inductance detectors (MKIDs) have been designed and buit, and the performance of a system operating at R~ 64 has been demonstrated. We l propose to develop and test a spectrometer with R~300. This device can be produced to sufficient accuracy with known fabrication tolerances. After the successful demonstration of the R~300 instrument, the devices will be ready for application in balloon or airborne applications.We will measure loss in the transmission lines to establish the limits of resolving power in such a materials system and will develop a phase adjuster to allow a diffraction limited delay network at the full resolution allowed by loss in the materials. We will demonstrate the performance of this system with R~1000 by the end of the proposed program. Arrays of such integrated spectrometers are ideal building blocks for a high redshift survey instrument, and its compact size may allow significant science to be done on Explorer Class Missions.

Benefits

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.

Details

Technology area	Sensors and Instruments > Remote Sensing Instruments and Sensors > Detectors and Focal Planes
Program	Astrophysics Research and Analysis (APRA)
Start date	2016-01-01
End date	2018-12-01

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Samuel H Moseley — harvey.moseley@nasa.gov
Ari D Brown — ari.d.brown@nasa.gov
David T Leisawitz — david.t.leisawitz@nasa.gov
Edward J Wollack — edward.j.wollack@nasa.gov
Emily M Barrentine — emily.m.barrentine@nasa.gov
Giuseppe Cataldo — giuseppe.cataldo@nasa.gov
Kongpop U-yen — kongpop.u-yen-1@nasa.gov
Negar Ehsan — negar.ehsan@nasa.gov
Omid Noroozian — omid.noroozian@nasa.gov
Thomas R Stevenson — thomas.r.stevenson@nasa.gov

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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