Highly multiplexed acoustic resonator detector arrays (Hi-MARs) for space applications

Advances in detector technologies have time and time again helped us to radically improve our understanding of the Universe. An example of this is seen in the progression of our knowledge of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) through improved detector technology. NASA's Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) generated the first maps of the CMB, providing evidence for black-body distribution. It also detected several previously unknown far-infrared emitting galaxies. Further detector improvements on Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP, 2001) and ESA's Planck spacecraft (2009) gave increasingly detailed maps of density and distribution of matter in the universe and a higher precision measurement of the age of the universe. The upcoming James Webb Space Telescope will give unprecedented information of the time just after recombination, yielding insights into star and galaxy formation. These improvements in detector technology have proven immanently useful in the fields of astronomy, astrophysics, and cosmology. The vast majority of photons in the universe are in the millimeter and submillimeter wavelength ranges. These photons carry clues to many of our most profound questions set out in NASA's astrophysics roadmap: “Are we alone?,” “How did we get here?,” and “How does the universe work?” Bolometric detectors remain the state-of-the-art (SOA) for space-based studies, but creating large arrays is challenging with this technology. The NIKA2 Camera installed at Pico Veleta represents the current Earth-based SOA for continuum detector technology, utilizing highly sensitive kinetic inductance detectors (KIDs). KIDs typically give a NEP performance of E-17~E-18 W/√Hz with beneficial multiplexing capabilities, something not possible with the previous SOA bolometric detectors. This capability generates a convenient platform for large arrays of detectors. Ongoing improvements to KIDs are eminent, with SuperSpec KIDs and SRON's SPACEKIDS achieving E-19 W√Hz. While KIDs clearly have offered a path forward towards improved sensitivity with multiplexing capabilities, there are known challenges associated with these detectors. Missions such as Origins Space Telescope (OST) or Large UV/Optical/IR Surveyor (LUVIOR) would benefit from the advancement of an alternative technology to ensure that mission success is not fully reliant on a single technology that is not yet fully developed. An alternative technological solution to highly sensitive Far-IR detection would greatly help mitigate mission risk and offer an independent path to mission success. We propose to implement an array of resonant detectors sensitive to a broad range of spectra from UV to far-IR with ultralow-noise performance with frequency multiplexing capability. The frequency of the detectors shifts proportional to the amount of absorbed radiation power. Each pixel of the detector array is composed of an acoustic resonator with ultra-high quality factor in the order of E5. The pixels exhibit slightly different resonance frequencies defined by optical lithography processes. To improve sensitivity, the temperature coefficient of frequency of these detectors can be engineered to be >100 ppm/K. When operated at typical low temperatures (<300mK) to limit thermal noise, their Qs become even higher generating further improvements in the NEP. Thus, depending on the application, they can be cooled to any temperature to meet the science need, with expected achievable NEP values of E-18 W√Hz at 60mK. Nanofabrication and multiplexing allows integration of thousands of pixels to form a large imaging array. These detectors combine the detection principles of resonant bolometers with the frequency multiplexing capabilities of KIDs, generating an independent and alternative detector technology with existing infrastructure.

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.

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