10 research outputs found
Optical Characterisation of a Camera module Developed for Ultra-low NEP TES Detector Arrays at FIR Wavelengths
Here we report on the optical design and on the spectral-spatial characterisation of a small 16 pixel camera. The prototype uses TES detectors with NEPs ~10-16 W/Hz0.5 which have been fabricated with near identical optical coupling structures to mimic their much lower NEP counterparts (~10-19 W/Hz0.5). This modification, which is achieved through changing only the pixel thermal conductance, G, has allowed us to perform spectral/spatial cryogenic testing using a 100mK ADR to view room temperature thermal sources. The measurements show a flat spectral response across the waveband and minimal side lobe structure in the antenna patterns down to 30dB
Optical requirements and modelling of coupling devices for the SAFARI instrument on SPICA
The next generation of space missions targeting far-infrared bands will require large-format arrays of extremely low-noise detectors. The development of Transition Edge Sensors (TES) array technology seems to be a viable solution for future mm-wave to Far-Infrared (FIR) space applications where low noise and high sensitivity is required. In this paper we concentrate on a key element for a high sensitivity TES detector array, that of the optical coupling between the incoming electromagnetic field and the phonon system of the suspended membrane. An intermediate solution between free space coupling and a single moded horn is where over-moded light pipes are used to concentrate energy onto multi-moded absorbers. We present a comparison of modelling techniques to analyse the optical efficiency of such light pipes and their interaction with the front end optics and detector cavity
A Fabrication Route for Arrays of Ultra-low-Noise MoAu Transition Edge Sensors on Thin Silicon Nitride for Space Applications
Optical requirements and modelling of coupling devices for the SAFARI instrument on SPICA
The next generation of space missions targeting far-infrared bands will require large-format arrays of extremely low-noise detectors. The development of Transition Edge Sensors (TES) array technology seems to be a viable solution for future mm-wave to Far-Infrared (FIR) space applications where low noise and high sensitivity is required. In this paper we concentrate on a key element for a high sensitivity TES detector array, that of the optical coupling between the incoming electromagnetic field and the phonon system of the suspended membrane. An intermediate solution between free space coupling and a single moded horn is where over-moded light pipes are used to concentrate energy onto multi-moded absorbers. We present a comparison of modelling techniques to analyse the optical efficiency of such light pipes and their interaction with the front end optics and detector cavity
Optical requirements and modelling of coupling devices for the SAFARI instrument on SPICA
The next generation of space missions targeting far-infrared bands will require large-format arrays of extremely low-noise detectors. The development of Transition Edge Sensors (TES) array technology seems to be a viable solution for future mm-wave to Far-Infrared (FIR) space applications where low noise and high sensitivity is required. In this paper we concentrate on a key element for a high sensitivity TES detector array, that of the optical coupling between the incoming electromagnetic field and the phonon system of the suspended membrane. An intermediate solution between free space coupling and a single moded horn is where over-moded light pipes are used to concentrate energy onto multi-moded absorbers. We present a comparison of modelling techniques to analyse the optical efficiency of such light pipes and their interaction with the front end optics and detector cavity
A TES focal plane for SPICA-SAFARI
We describe the design of a focal plane array
assembly incorporating transition edge superconducting
bolometers (TES) for the SAFARI instrument aboard the
SPICA satellite. SPICA consists of a 3.5 metre telescope actively
cooled to a temperature of < 7 K, designed to be diffraction
limited at a wavelength of 3 μm. The active cooling of the
telescope reduces its emission to a level below the astrophysical
background power level over the entire wavelength range of
operation (~4 – 210 μm). This represents a reduction in loading
at far-infrared (FIR) wavelengths of more than a factor of
10,000 over the 50 K HERSCHEL telescope. SAFARI is a
proposed FIR instrument for SPICA consisting of an imaging
Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) covering
The wavelengths from 34 – 210 μm with science goals of furthering
our understanding of planetary system formation, the life cycle
of dust and gas in the galaxy and the formation of galaxies.
The SAFARI wavelength coverage is divided into 3 bands in
the focal plane covering the wavelength ranges from 35 – 60
mm, 60 – 110 μm, and 110 – 210 μm. Each band requires a 2D
focal plane array of 0.5 fλ spaced pixels covering a 2' x 2' field
of view. The total number of pixels in all three bands is
approximately 6000. In order to take advantage of the reduction
in background power provided by the cooled telescope, SAFARI
requires detectors with a combination of low optical NEP (~ 2 x 10-19
W√ x Hz) and high optical efficiency. There are several
detector technologies that have been under development to meet
these requirements including Kinetic Inductance Detectors
(KIDs), Transition Edge Superconducting bolometers (TES),
Silicon bolometers, Ge:Ga photoconductors and Quantum Well
detectors. We describe the conceptual design of a TES focal
plane array including the detector array, coupling optics, cold
electronics and interconnections and mechanical and thermal
design. We also describe the results of measurements of
performance of single pixel prototypes as well as small
prototype arrays and compare these results with the required
performance
The NORMAN Suspect List Exchange (NORMAN-SLE): facilitating European and worldwide collaboration on suspect screening in high resolution mass spectrometry
Background: The NORMAN Association (https://www.norman-.network.com/) initiated the NORMAN Suspect List Exchange (NORMAN-SLE; https://www.norman-.network.com/nds/SLE/) in 2015, following the NORMAN collaborative trial on non-target screening of environmental water samples by mass spectrometry. Since then, this exchange of information on chemicals that are expected to occur in the environment, along with the accompanying expert knowledge and references, has become a valuable knowledge base for "suspect screening" lists. The NORMAN-SLE now serves as a FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) chemical information resource worldwide.Results: The NORMAN-SLE contains 99 separate suspect list collections (as of May 2022) from over 70 contributors around the world, totalling over 100,000 unique substances. The substance classes include per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pharmaceuticals, pesticides, natural toxins, high production volume substances covered under the European REACH regulation (EC: 1272/2008), priority contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) and regulatory lists from NORMAN partners. Several lists focus on transformation products (TPs) and complex features detected in the environment with various levels of provenance and structural information. Each list is available for separate download. The merged, curated collection is also available as the NORMAN Substance Database (NORMAN SusDat). Both the NORMAN-SLE and NORMAN SusDat are integrated within the NORMAN Database System (NDS). The individual NORMAN-SLE lists receive digital object identifiers (DOIs) and traceable versioning via a Zenodo community (https:// zenodo.org/communities/norman-.sle), with a total of > 40,000 unique views, > 50,000 unique downloads and 40 citations (May 2022). NORMAN-SLE content is progressively integrated into large open chemical databases such as PubChem (https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) and the US EPA's CompTox Chemicals Dashboard (https://comptox. epa.gov/dashboard/), enabling further access to these lists, along with the additional functionality and calculated properties these resources offer. PubChem has also integrated significant annotation content from the NORMAN-SLE, including a classification browser (https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/classification/#hid=101).Conclusions: The NORMAN-SLE offers a specialized service for hosting suspect screening lists of relevance for the environmental community in an open, FAIR manner that allows integration with other major chemical resources. These efforts foster the exchange of information between scientists and regulators, supporting the paradigm shift to the "one substance, one assessment" approach. New submissions are welcome via the contacts provided on the NORMAN-SLE website (https://www.norman-.network.com/nds/SLE/)