Next Generation Broadband Grating for Hyperspectral Thermal Infrared Imagers, Year 1

Completed TRL 5 (started at 4, targeting 5)

Description

Design and electron-beam fabricate a shaped-groove concave/convex grating to significantly extend the wavelength range of future airborne and space-based HyTES-like (Hyperspectral Thermal Emission Spectrometer) systems. Grating wavelength range will be 3 µm to 12 µm (MWIR-LWIR). Current HyTES wavelength range is 7.5 µm to 12 µm (LWIR only). The shaped-groove design can produce tailored efficiency to equalize instrument SNR across full wavelength range (compensates for signal and detector responsivity variation with wavelength). Flat efficiency shaped-groove proof of concept design shown at right. Concave/convex grating will be electron-beam fabricated using improved writing schemes to improve uniformity reduce ghosts/scatter. Grating performance (efficiency and scatter) will be measured in a laboratory setup (FY 2015 end state). Grating performance will be demonstrated in a laboratory breadboard spectrometer with a JPL HOT-BIRD* detector (FY 2016 end state).

Benefits

Potential Applications: A MWIR-LWIR imaging spectrometer would allow retrieval of gases and other objects with features in the mid/thermal infrared in a single instrument. Greenhouse gases such as methane, carbon monoxide/dioxide and environmentally toxic fumes (benzene, toluene, etc.) could be detected. Follow-On Options: NASA: Picasso, Matisse, IIP, EV, Discovery; Outside: NRO, Federal projects (megacities)

Details

Technology area	Sensors and Instruments > Remote Sensing Instruments and Sensors > Detectors and Focal Planes
Program	Center Innovation Fund: JPL CIF (JPL CIF)
Lead organization	Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA
Start date	2014-11-01
End date	2015-09-30

Project contacts

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

Daniel R Wilson
David Z Ting — david.z.ting@jpl.nasa.gov
Simon J Hook — simon.j.hook@jpl.nasa.gov
Willie E Johnson — willie.e.johnson-1@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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