Ultra-Low-Noise Sub-mm/FIR Detectors for Space-based Astrophysics
Project Introduction
The Ultra-Low-Noise Sub-mm/FIR Detectors for Space-based Astrophysics project develops structures that will improve the control of the thermal conductance in dielectric materials at sub-Kelvin temperature. This technology will enable the creation of more sensitive detectors for far-infrared astronomy that can be tiled into large arrays of many thousands of detectors.
The sensitivity of a thermal detector sensitive to submillimeter and far-infrared radiation is a function of the thermal conductance of the detector to its cryogenic environment. It has proven difficult to optimize the thermal conductance of standard uniform micro-mechanical dielectric beams with prior knowledge of material properties and geometry. It is also extremely challenging to optimize a beam dimension that satisfies all the requirements of a space-borne instrument. Efforts presently underway in the field have pursued long (> 1 mm) and narrow (< 0.5 microns) beams for achieving thermal conductances below 1 pW/K. Special emphasis has been placed on the characterization of the thermal conductance as a function of temperature, material, and geometry. In this work, we are engineering structures that block the flow of heat by design. By doing so we hope to construct new generations of detectors that are increasingly more sensitive and are compact so that large arrays of detectors can be constructed that will fill the focal planes of future NASA missions.
More »Anticipated Benefits
Future missions in the far-infrared will require kilopixel or larger arrays of ultra-low-noise space-worthy detectors. In the near future such detectors can enhance the capabilities of NASA's SOFIA airborne observators. Further in the future, space-based far-infrared missions that will vastly increase our knowledge of the cosmos will require extremely sensitive detectors. Such detectors are enabled by this technology.
More »Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Goddard Space Flight Center
(GSFC)
|
Lead Organization | NASA Center | Greenbelt, Maryland |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
Maryland
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Organizational Responsibility
Responsible Mission Directorate:
- Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
Lead Center / Facility:
- Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)
Responsible Program:
- Center Innovation Fund: GSFC CIF
Project Management
Program Director:
Program Manager:
Project Managers:
Principal Investigator:
Co-Investigators:
Project Duration
Technology Maturity (TRL)
| Start: | 1 |
| Current: | 4 |
| Estimated End: | 4 |
Technology Areas
Primary:
- TX08 Sensors and Instruments
- TX08.1 Remote Sensing Instruments/Sensors
- TX08.1.1 Detectors and Focal Planes
Target Destinations
