Radiometric Testing of Magnesium Diboride Array (MDA)

The objective is to develop a 2-Dimensional Far Infra-Red Magnesium Diboride Array (2D FIR MDA) to use in NASA's future planetary exploration instruments. The array will have better signal-to-noise (S/N), almost two orders of magnitude higher sensitivity and better spatial resolution than the FIR detectors (thermopiles) currently on CIRS/Cassini. Each pixel in the array is of the composite detector type with the thermal sensor made out of HTS MgB2 thin film meander.

The objective is to develop a 2-Dimensional Far Infra-Red Magnesium Diboride Array (2D FIR MDA) to use in NASA's future planetary exploration instruments. The array will have better signal-to-noise (S/N), almost two orders of magnitude higher sensitivity and better spatial resolution than the FIR detectors (thermopiles) currently on CIRS/Cassini. Each pixel in the array is of the composite detector type with the thermal sensor made out of HTS MgB2 thin film meander. We will establish the D* and time constant of our MgB2 bolometer pixel with accuracy and confidence.