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Completed TRL 2 (started at 2, targeting 3)
Development of broadband heterodyne receivers in the thermal infrared in order to enable very high angular imaging of exoplanets (such as the new Proxima Centauri planet), planet formation, and other objects of interest such as geosynchrnous satellites.
In the thermal infrared, the heterodyne SNR for interferometry is similar to that for direct detection inteferometry. Furthermore, heterodyne allows unprecedented baselines. The development of effective heterodyne receivers needs development of 10 micron laser frequency comb local oscillators and linear arrays of fast photodiode detectors. The THERM project is pursuing the development of an effective local oscillator and the required detector arrays as a collaboration between JPL and the Applied Physics Department at Caltech. It will also demonstrate the locking of independent LOs over large distances.
High angular resolution imaging of exoplanets is of broad interest to NASA astrophysics/SMD.
Exoplanet Imaging / Planet formation Imaging / Imaging the surfaces of the nearest exoplanets.
High resolution molecular spectroscopy would be of interest to industry.
DARPA can take advantage of this technology for geosat imaging from the ground.
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