THz photometers for solar flare observations from space

The search for the still unrevealed spectral shape of the mysterious THz solar flare emissions is one of the current most challenging research issues. The concept, fabrication and performance of a double THz photometer system, named SOLAR-T, is presented. Its innovative optical setup allows observations of the full solar disk and the detection of small burst transients at the same time. The detecting system was constructed to observe solar flare THz emissions on board of stratospheric balloons. The system has been integrated to data acquisition and telemetry modules for this application. SOLAR-T uses two Golay cell detectors preceded by low-pass filters made of rough surface primary mirrors and membranes, 3 and 7 THz band-pass filters, and choppers. Its photometers can detect small solar bursts (tens of solar flux units) with sub second time resolution. Tests have been conducted to confirm the entire system performance, on ambient and low pressure and temperature conditions. An artificial Sun setup was developed to simulate performance on actual observations. The experiment is planned to be on board of two long-duration stratospheric balloon flights over Antarctica and Russia in 2014–2016.Fil: Kaufmann, Pierre. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Brasil. Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie; BrasilFil: Marcon, Rogério. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; BrasilFil: Abrantes, André. Propertech Ltda.; BrasilFil: Bortolucci, Emilio C.. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; BrasilFil: T. Fernandes, Luis Olavo. Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie; BrasilFil: Kropotov, Grigory I.. Tydex Llc; RusiaFil: Kudaka, Amauri S.. Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie; BrasilFil: Machado, Nelson. Propertech Ltda.; BrasilFil: Marun, Adolfo Hector. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan. Complejo Astronómico "El Leoncito". Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Complejo Astronómico "El Leoncito". Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Complejo Astronómico "El Leoncito". Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Complejo Astronómico "El Leoncito"; ArgentinaFil: Nikolaev, Valery. Tydex Llc; RusiaFil: Silva, Alexandre. Samsung Research Institute; BrasilFil: da Silva, Claudemir S.. Neuron Ltda.; BrasilFil: Timofeevsky, Alexander. Tydex Llc; Rusi

Selective Spectral Detection Of Continuum Terahertz Radiation

The knowledge of THz continuum spectra is essential to investigate the emission mechanisms by high energy particle acceleration processes. Technical challenges appear for obtaining selective spectral sensing in the far infrared range to diagnose radiation produced by solar flare burst emissions measured from space as well as radiation produced by high energy electrons in laboratory accelerators. Efforts are been carried out intended for the development of solar flare high cadence radiometers at two THz frequencies to operate outside the terrestrial atmosphere (i.e. at 3 and 7 THz). One essential requirement is the efficient suppression of radiation in the visible and near infrared. Experimental setups have been assembled for testing (a) THz transmission of "low-pass" filters: rough surface mirrors; membranes Zitex G110G and TydexBlack; (b) a fabricated 2.4 THz resonant grid band-pass filter transmission response for polarization and angle of incidence; (c) radiation response from distinct detectors: adapted commercial microbolometer array using HRFZ-Si window, pyroelectric module and Golay cell; qualitative detection of solar radiation at a sub-THz frequency has been tested with a microbolometer array placed at the focus of the 1.5 m reflector for submillimeter waves (SST) at El Leoncito, Argentina Andes. © 2010 SPIE.7741Harris, D.C., (1999) Materials for Infrared Windows and Domes, , SPIE Optical Engineering Press, Washington, USASiegel, P.H., THz technology: An overview (2003) International Journal of High Speed Electronics and Systems, 13 (2), pp. 1-44Mlynczak, M., Johnson, D., Bingham, G., Far-Infrared Spectroscopy of the Troposphere (FIRST) project (2003) Proceedings of Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, 1, p. 512Sherwin, M.S., Schmuttenmaer, C.A., Bucksbaum, P.H., (2004) Proceedings of DOE-NSF-NIH Workshop on Opportunities in THz Science, , Arlington, VAKinch, M.A., (2007) Infrared Detector Materials, , SPIE Optical Engineering Press, TT76, Washington, USA, DCStrabala, K.I., Ackerman, S.A., Menzel, W.P., Cloud Properties inferred from 8-12-μm Data (1994) Journal of Applied Meteorology, 33 (2), p. 212Williams, G.P., FAR-IR/THz radiation from the Jefferson Laboratory, energy recovered linac, free electron laser (2002) Rev. Sci. Instrum., 73, pp. 1461-1463Kaufmann, P., Raulin, J.-P., Can microbunch instability on solar flare accelerated electron beams account for bright broadband coherent synchrotron microwaves? (2006) Phys. Plasmas, 13. , 070701-070701-4Klopf, J.M., (2008) 1st SMESE Workshop, , 10-12 March, Paris, FranceKaufmann, P., (2004) Astrophys. J., 603, pp. L121Kaufmann, P., Continuum terahertz radiation detection using membrane filters (2009) International Microwave and Optoelectronics Conference, SBMO & IEEE-MTT, pp. 262-266. , Nov. 3-6 2009, Belem, Para, BrazilBennett, H.E., Porteus, J.O., Relation between surface roughness and specular reflectance at normal incidence (1961) J. Opt. Soc.Am., 51, pp. 123-129Kostiuk, T., Deming, D., A solar infrared photometer for space flight application (1991) Infrared Physics, 32, pp. 225-233Romberg, M., Rough mirrors for the thz frequency range (2008) Proc. MOMAG 2008 - 13th SBMO and 8th CBMAG, pp. 365-367. , Florianópolis, SC, Brazil, 7-10 September 2008Benford, D.J., Gaidis, M.C., Kooi, J.W., Optical properties of Zitex in the infrared to submillimeter (2003) Applied Optics, 42, pp. 5118-5122(2008), www.tydex.ru, Tydex JSCo, St. Petersburg, Russia, Technical Note on THz materials and componentsKaufmann, P., Flare infrared experiment (FIRE) (1998) NASA Proposal to FBMS in Response to AO-98-OSS-01Melo, A.M., Metal mesh resonant filters for terahertz frequencies (2008) Applied Optics, 47, pp. 6064-6069MacDonald, M.E., Spectral transmittance of lossy printed resonant-grid terahertz bandpass filters (2000) IEEE Trans. on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 48, pp. 712-718http://www.ino.ca/en-CAKaufmann, P., New telescopes for ground-based solar observations at submillimeter and mid-infrared (2008) Proc. SPIE, 7012. , Ground-based and airborne telescopes II (ed. By L.M. Stepp and R. Gimozzi), 70120L-1-70120L-8(2008), ESSCO, West Concord, MA, USA, private communicationhttp://www.spectrumdetector.comhttp://www.tydexoptics.com/productsl/thz-optics/golay-cell

THz photometers for solar flare observations from space

FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOThe search for the still unrevealed spectral shape of the mysterious THz solar flare emissions is one of the current most challenging research issues. The concept, fabrication and performance of a double THz photometer system, named SOLAR-T, is presented. Its innovative optical setup allows observations of the full solar disk and the detection of small burst transients at the same time. The detecting system was constructed to observe solar flare THz emissions on board of stratospheric balloons. The system has been integrated to data acquisition and telemetry modules for this application. SOLAR-T uses two Golay cell detectors preceded by low-pass filters made of rough surface primary mirrors and membranes, 3 and 7 THz band-pass filters, and choppers. Its photometers can detect small solar bursts (tens of solar flux units) with sub second time resolution. Tests have been conducted to confirm the entire system performance, on ambient and low pressure and temperature conditions. An artificial Sun setup was developed to simulate performance on actual observations. The experiment is planned to be on board of two long-duration stratospheric balloon flights over Antarctica and Russia in 2014-2016. © 2014 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.The search for the still unrevealed spectral shape of the mysterious THz solar flare emissions is one of the current most challenging research issues. The concept, fabrication and performance of a double THz photometer system, named SOLAR-T, is presented. Its innovative optical setup allows observations of the full solar disk and the detection of small burst transients at the same time. The detecting system was constructed to observe solar flare THz emissions on board of stratospheric balloons. The system has been integrated to data acquisition and telemetry modules for this application. SOLAR-T uses two Golay cell detectors preceded by low-pass filters made of rough surface primary mirrors and membranes, 3 and 7 THz band-pass filters, and choppers. Its photometers can detect small solar bursts (tens of solar flux units) with sub second time resolution. Tests have been conducted to confirm the entire system performance, on ambient and low pressure and temperature conditions. An artificial Sun setup was developed to simulate performance on actual observations. The experiment is planned to be on board of two long-duration stratospheric balloon flights over Antarctica and Russia in 2014-2016.373579598FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO2010/51861-

Uncooled detectors of continuum terahertz radiation

THz continuum spectral photometry has new and unique applications in different civil and military areas presenting a number of distinctive advantages on the well known microwaves or mid- to near-infrared technologies. THz sensing is essential to investigate the emission mechanisms by high energy particle acceleration processes. Technical challenges appear to diagnose radiation produced by solar flare burst emissions measured from space as well as radiation produced by high energy electrons in laboratory accelerators. THz filters and detectors have been investigated for the construction of solar flare high cadence radiometers to operate outside the terrestrial atmosphere. Experimental setups have been assembled for testing THz continuum radiation response from distinct detectors: adapted commercial microbolometer array, pyroelectric module, and opto-acoustic (Golay cell). The results permitted the final design of a THz double radiometer using Golay cells to be flown in stratosphere balloon missions

Solar-t : Terahertz Photometers To Observe Solar Flare Emission On Stratospheric Balloon Flights

A new solar flare spectral component has been found with intensities increasing for larger sub-THz frequencies, spectrally separated from the well known microwaves component, bringing challenging constraints for interpretation. Higher THz frequencies observations are needed to understand the nature of the mechanisms occurring in flares. A twofrequency THz photometer system was developed to observe outside the terrestrial atmosphere on stratospheric balloons or satellites, or at exceptionally transparent ground stations. 76 mm diameter telescopes were designed to observe the whole solar disk detecting small relative changes in input temperature caused by flares at localized positions at 3 and 7 THz. Golay cell detectors are preceded by low-pass filters to suppress visible and near IR radiation, band-pass filters, and choppers. It can detect temperature variations smaller than 1 K with time resolution of a fraction of a second, corresponding to small burst intensities. The telescopes are being assembled in a thermal controlled box to which a data conditioning and acquisition unit is coupled. While all observations are stored on board, a telemetry system will forward solar activity compact data to the ground station. The experiment is planned to fly on board of long-duration stratospheric balloon flights some time in 2013-2015. One will be coupled to the GRIPS gamma-ray experiment in cooperation with University of California, Berkeley, USA. One engineering flight will be flown in the USA, and a 2 weeks flight is planned over Antarctica in southern hemisphere summer. Another long duration stratospheric balloon flight over Russia (one week) is planned in cooperation with the Lebedev Physics Institute, Moscow, in northern hemisphere summer. © 2012 SPIE.8442The Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)Erickson, E.F., SOFIA: The next generation airborne observatory (1985) Space Sci. Rev., 84, pp. 91-100Poglitsch, A., The photodetector array camera and spectrometer (PACS) on the Herschel space observatory (2010) Astron. Astrophys., 518 (L2), pp. 1-12Degiacomi, C.G., Kneubühl, F.K., Huguenin, D., Far-infrared solar imaging from a balloon-borne platform (1985) Astrophys. J., 298, pp. 918-933Lawrence, J.S., Infrared and submillimeter atmospheric characteristics of high Antarctic plateau sites (2004) Publ. Astron Soc. Pacific, 116, pp. 482-492Marcon, R., Terahertz photometer to observe solar flares in continuum (2012) J. Infrared, Millimeter and Terahertz Waves, 33, pp. 192-205Marcon, R., Kaufmann, P., (2011) Método Para Maximizar Ganho Na Detecção Simultânea de Radiação de Fontes Pequenas em Campo Extenso de Visão, , Brazil Patent Application, Universidade Estadual de Campinas and Instituto Presbiteriano Mackenzie, March 30Phillips, T.G., (1988) Techniques of Submillimeter Astronomy, in Millimetre and Submillimetre Astronomy, pp. 1-25. , (Ed. by R.D. Wolstencroft and W.B. Burton), Lectures at Summer School, Stirling, Scotland, June 21-27, 1987 (Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, NL)http://www.tydexoptics.com/pdf/Golay_cell.pdfShih, A.Y., The gamma-ray imager/polarimeter for solar flares (GRIPS) (2008) American Geophysical Union, , Fall Meeting, abstract SM11B-1602Texereau, J., (1984) How to Make A Telescope, pp. 139-175. , 2th English Edition (Wilmann-Bell Inc. Richmond, VA)Bortolucci, E.C., THz band-pass resonant metal mesh filters for a space solar photometry experiment (2012) VII SEMINATEC 2012 Workshop, , FEI, São Bernardo do Campo, SP, Brazil, 12-13 April(2012), http://www.tydexoptics.com/pdf/THz_Low_Pass_Filter.pdf(2012), http://www.eopc.com/choppers.html(2012), http://www.tydexoptics.com/new_products1/digital_golaycellhttp://www.satrunner.com/en/iridium-9602-sbd-modem.htmlhttp://www.wcclp.com/SBD.as