{"project":{"acronym":"","projectId":94304,"title":"Miniature Photonic Spectrometers and Filters for Astrophysics and Space Science","primaryTaxonomyNodes":[{"taxonomyNodeId":10741,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"parentNodeId":10740,"level":3,"code":"TX08.1.1","title":"Detectors and Focal Planes","definition":"Detectors, focal planes and readout integrated circuits provide large-format array technologies that require high quantum efficiency (QE); low noise, high resolution, uniform, and stable response; low power and cost; and high reliability. These technologies include low-noise, high-speed, low-power and radiation hardened readout integrated circuit (ROIC) electronics; superconducting sensors; spectral detectors; polarization-sensitive detectors; radiation-hardened detectors; and micro-Kelvin and sub-Kelvin high sensitivity detectors that cover the spectrum from submillimeter wave (Far-IR) to X-ray.","exampleTechnologies":"Backshort Undergrid bolometer arrays, Mercury Cadmium Telluride and Strained Superlattice Arrays, charge coupled devices, sidecar readout integrated circuits, radiometric calibration and abnormality correction algorithms (e.g. non-uniformity)","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true}],"description":"This project seeks to apply our recent breakthroughs in astrophotonics - photonics applied to astronomical instrumentation - to replace the large lenses, mirrors, and gratings of conventional astronomical spectrographs with optoelectronic components borrowed from the multi-billion dollar telecommunication industry. This will reduce the mass and volume of these instruments by two to three orders of magnitudes, shorten delivery times, lower the risk, and cut the cost proportionally. Photonic instruments are also more amenable to complex light manipulation and massive multiplexing, cheaper to mass produce, easier to control, much less susceptible to vibrations and flexures, and have higher throughput. The proposed effort directly addresses one of the technology gaps identified in the 2016 Cosmic Origins Technology Report, namely the need to develop \"high-performance spectral dispersion components / devices.\" Using private funding, we have developed photonic near-infrared (1.4 - 1.6 microns) spectrometers where the dispersing optics are replaced by miniature (~1 cubic-centimeter) arrayed waveguide gratings imprinted using buried silicon nitride (``nano-core'') technology, the leading solution for low-loss waveguides. We have also developed highly sophisticated photonics filters using complex waveguide Bragg gratings, produced on the same platform technology as the photonic spectrometers and equally small. These prototypes have been fabricated and tested using the state-of-the-art facilities of the Maryland NanoCenter and AstroPhotonics Lab, and the results of these tests have been published in refereed publications and conference proceedings. APRA funding is now needed to develop the next generation of photonics spectrometers and filters for astrophysics and space science applications. We will (1) broaden the wavelength range to 1 - 1.7 microns, (2) increase the spectral resolving power of our photonic spectrometers from R ~ 1500 to 3000, (3) experiment with the aspect ratio of the waveguide cross-section and overall design of the Braggs and arrayed waveguide gratings to make them polarization-independent, and (4) increase the overall throughput of these gratings to >70% at 1 - 1.7 microns by changing the deposition method of the cladding material (silica) and reducing the scattering losses with the use of a newly commissioned electron beam writer that delivers higher resolution (down to a few nm instead of ~8 nm). Two graduate students, already trained in the techniques relevant to this project, will lead the optimization, fabrication, and testing of these optoelectronic components. Up to three undergraduate students will also be involved with the research. A wide swath of astrophysical research, from spectroscopic studies of the distant universe to searches for biosignatures in the atmospheres of exoplanets, stands to benefit from these miniature spectrometers and filters on board future NASA balloon, CubeSat, Explorer, Probe-, Flagship-, and Surveyor class missions. The technical by-products of this effort will also offer benefits in fields far beyond astronomy, such as medicine, human science, petrochemistry, space geo-science, and quantum computing and communication. The names and contact information of five experts qualified to review this proposal were emailed directly to the two relevant Program Officers.","destinations":[{"lkuCodeId":1547,"code":"OUTSIDE_SOLAR_SYSTEM","description":"Outside the Solar System","lkuCodeTypeId":526,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"DESTINATION_TYPE","description":"Destination Type"}}],"startYear":2018,"startMonth":1,"endYear":2020,"endMonth":12,"statusDescription":"Completed","principalInvestigators":[{"contactId":453968,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Sylvain","lastName":"Veilleux","fullName":"Sylvain Veilleux","fullNameInverted":"Veilleux, Sylvain","primaryEmail":"veilleux@astro.umd.edu","publicEmail":false,"nacontact":false}],"programDirectors":[{"contactId":332808,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Michael","lastName":"Garcia","fullName":"Michael A Garcia","fullNameInverted":"Garcia, Michael A","middleInitial":"A","publicEmail":false,"nacontact":false}],"programManagers":[{"contactId":123302,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Dominic","lastName":"Benford","fullName":"Dominic J Benford","fullNameInverted":"Benford, Dominic J","middleInitial":"J","primaryEmail":"dominic.j.benford@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"coInvestigators":[{"contactId":443200,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Stephanie","lastName":"Swann","fullName":"Stephanie M Swann","fullNameInverted":"Swann, Stephanie M","middleInitial":"M","primaryEmail":"smbrack@umd.edu","publicEmail":false,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":21476,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Andrew","lastName":"Harris","fullName":"Andrew I Harris","fullNameInverted":"Harris, Andrew I","middleInitial":"I","primaryEmail":"harris@astro.umd.edu","publicEmail":false,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":443728,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Stephen","lastName":"Cenko","fullName":"Stephen B Cenko","fullNameInverted":"Cenko, Stephen B","middleInitial":"B","primaryEmail":"brad.cenko@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":42132,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Bernard","lastName":"Rauscher","fullName":"Bernard J Rauscher","fullNameInverted":"Rauscher, Bernard J","middleInitial":"J","primaryEmail":"bernard.j.rauscher@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":251295,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Joss","lastName":"Bland-Hawthorn","fullName":"Joss Bland-hawthorn","fullNameInverted":"Bland-Hawthorn, Joss","primaryEmail":"jbh@physics.usyd.edu.au","publicEmail":false,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":282163,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"L.","lastName":"Deming","fullName":"L. D Deming","fullNameInverted":"Deming, L. D","middleInitial":"D","primaryEmail":"ddeming@astro.umd.edu","publicEmail":false,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":232308,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"John","lastName":"Mather","fullName":"John C Mather","fullNameInverted":"Mather, John C","middleInitial":"C","primaryEmail":"john.c.mather@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":10312,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Alexander","lastName":"Kutyrev","fullName":"Alexander S Kutyrev","fullNameInverted":"Kutyrev, Alexander S","middleInitial":"S","primaryEmail":"alexander.kutyrev@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":450855,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Stuart","lastName":"Vogel","fullName":"Stuart N Vogel","fullNameInverted":"Vogel, Stuart N","middleInitial":"N","primaryEmail":"svogel@umd.edu","publicEmail":false,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":421546,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Samuel","lastName":"Moseley","fullName":"Samuel H Moseley","fullNameInverted":"Moseley, Samuel H","middleInitial":"H","primaryEmail":"harvey.moseley@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":309379,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Mario","lastName":"Dagenais","fullName":"Mario Dagenais","fullNameInverted":"Dagenais, Mario","primaryEmail":"dage@ece.umd.edu","publicEmail":false,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":321691,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Matthew","lastName":"Greenhouse","fullName":"Matthew A Greenhouse","fullNameInverted":"Greenhouse, Matthew A","middleInitial":"A","primaryEmail":"matt.greenhouse@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"website":"","libraryItems":[],"transitions":[],"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"SMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4909,"organizationName":"Science Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"program":{"acronym":"APRA","active":true,"description":"
The Astrophysics Research Program competitively solicits low TRL (1-3) technology development activities of a more general nature through the Astrophysics Research and Analysis (APRA) Program element of ROSES. APRA is intended to support basic research of new technologies and feasibility demonstrations that may enable future science missions. For example, APRA seeks technology development of advanced detectors that may be proposed as instruments for future space flight experiments. APRA also supports suborbital science investigations that typically involve a significant level of technology development.
","parentProgram":{"active":true,"description":"There are four Program elements within the Astrophysics Division that execute technology development activities: Cosmic Origins (COR), Physics of the Cosmos (PCOS), Exoplanet Exploration (EXEP), and the Astrophysics Research Program. Technology efforts in the Division are procured through both directed and competed processes.
The PCOS, COR, and EXEP programs develop and operate the Division’s strategic science missions. Thus, each of these programs conduct strategic technology development activities to enable future missions and to support early phase mission development. Each has a formal Technology Development Plan to guide its technology development activities, and maintains an annual report that documents the status of currently funded activities. Annual assessments identify future technology development needs based on the science goals of each program.
The PCOS, COR, and EXEP Programs conduct competed technology development efforts through a Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science (ROSES) element known as Strategic Astrophysics Technology (SAT) that specifically targets technology developments that bridge the technology readiness level (TRL) 3-6 gap. SAT developed technologies are essential to enable strategic missions that specifically address the key science goals of the Astrophysics Decadal Survey recommendations. The three SAT elements for PCOS, COR, and EXEP are named Technology Development for Physics of the Cosmos (TPCOS), Technology Development for Cosmic Origins Program (TCOP), and Technology Development for Exo-Planet Missions (TDEM) respectively. In contrast to these competed efforts, each program also conducts directed technology development activities that are carried out as elements of specific strategic science missions during early development phases.
The Astrophysics Research Program competitively solicits low TRL (1-3) technology development activities of a more general nature through the Astrophysics Research and Analysis (APRA) Program element of ROSES. APRA is intended to support basic research of new technologies and feasibility demonstrations that may enable future science missions. For example, APRA seeks technology development of advanced detectors that may be proposed as instruments for future space flight experiments. APRA also supports suborbital science investigations that typically involve a significant level of technology development.
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