Development of High-Resolution Far-Infrared Array Receivers

The far-infrared/submillimeter wavelength (60 to 1000 microns, 0.3 to 5 THz) region in astrophysics is dominated by the continuum emission from warm dust with numerous spectral emission and absorption lines of atomic and molecular gas superimposed. A number of large spatial surveys using the Herschel PACS and SPIRE photometers have determined that the dust and gas emission is filamentary in nature at all scales that have been observed . Although these structures are pervasive, large variations in the rate of star formation are observed. The physical processes that give rise to this structure and facilitate or inhibit the onset of star formation remain the subject of a contentious debate between the effects of turbulence and magnetic fields . Another important open question is the transition between the atomic and molecular phases of the diffuse ISM and how this process determines the characteristics of denser material and how in turn this affects the star formation rate. The velocity structure of atomic and ionized gas associated with dense regions, which can address these problems, remains largely unknown and can only be obtained through high resolution spectroscopy. Separation of components of the ISM requires velocity-resolved atomic, ionic, and molecular line profiles. The 2010 Decadal Survey highlighted questions that will require heterodyne technology to resolve, i.e. how do stars form? [PSF1]; how do circumstellar disks evolve and form planetary systems? [PSF2]; what are the flows of matter and energy in the circumgalactic medium? [GAN 1]; and what controls the mass-energy-chemical cycles within galaxies? [GAN2]. The 2013 NASA Astrophysics Roadmap "Enduring Quests, Daring Visions: NASA Astrophysics in the Next Three Decades" identified one of the "Formative Era" missions to be Far-IR (FIR) Surveyor. Heterodyne spectroscopic instruments are the only technical possibility for obtaining velocity resolved spectra in the far infrared. A previously funded SAT Award (NRA NNH13ZDA001N-SAT, PI Imran Mehdi) led to first ever demonstration of multi-pixel Local Oscillator and Mixer components for 1.9 THz spectroscopic imaging. The proposed investigation builds on the previously funded technology effort and further raises the TRL to 6 by building a high-fidelity 16-pixel receiver using a modular concept that can be directly scaled to a large number of pixels. The TRL of this technology will be raised by demonstrating a concept that is scalable to large arrays, reduces DC power, mass and volume, and reduces the required LO power per pixel. Thus, this approach is required for flight missions such as the FIR Surveyor.

The Strategic Astrophysics Technology program (SAT) supports focused development efforts for key technologies to the point at which they are ready to feed into major missions in the three science themes of the Astrophysics Division: Exoplanet Exploration, Cosmic Origins, and the Physics of the Cosmos. This program is specifically designed to address middle technology readiness level (TRL) "gaps" between levels 3 and 6: the maturation of technologies that have been established as feasible, but which are not yet sufficiently mature to incorporate into flight missions without introducing an unacceptable level of risk. NASA does not require a data management plan for proposals to SAT.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — 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.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.