Instrumentation for the next generation cryogenic spaceborne far-IR observatories

C. Matt Bradford; Paul F. Goldsmith; Mark Dragovan; Matt Kenyon; Warren Holmes; Harold Yorke

doi:10.1117/12.732657

18 October 2007 Instrumentation for the next generation cryogenic spaceborne far-IR observatories

C. Matt Bradford, Paul F. Goldsmith, Mark Dragovan, Matt Kenyon, Warren Holmes, Harold Yorke

Proceedings Volume 6687, UV/Optical/IR Space Telescopes: Innovative Technologies and Concepts III; 66870O (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.732657
Event: Optical Engineering + Applications, 2007, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

We present scientific rationale, concepts and technologies for far-IR (λ=35-600 μm) instrumentation for the cryogenic single-dish space telescopes envisioned for the next two decades. With the tremendous success of Spitzer, the stage is set for larger (3-10 meter) actively-cooled telescopes and several are under consideration including SPICA in Japan, and CALISTO/SAFIR in the US. The cold platforms offer the potential for far-IR observations limited only by the zodiacal dust emission and other diffuse astrophysical foregrounds. Optimal instrumentation for these missions includes large-format direct-detector arrays with sensitivity matched to the low photon backgrounds. This will require major improvements relative to the current state of the art, especially for wavelengths beyond the 38-micron silicon BIB cutoff, We review options and present progress with one approach: superconducting bolometers. We highlight in particular the scientific potential for moderate-resolution broadband spectroscopy. The large cold telescopes can provide line sensitivities below 10^-20 W m^-2, enabling the first routine survey spectroscopy of the redshift 0.5 to 5 galaxies that produced the cosmic far-IR background. These far-IR-bright dusty galaxies account for half of the photon energy released since stars and galaxies began forming, and the new far-IR spectroscopic capability will reveal their energy sources and chart their history. We describe concepts for the background-limited IR-Submillimeter Spectrograph (BLISS) designed for this purpose. BLISS is a suite of R~1000 spectrometer modules spanning the far-IR range, and is under study for SPICA; a similar but more capable instrument can be scaled for CALISTO/SAFIR.

Citation Download Citation

C. Matt Bradford, Paul F. Goldsmith, Mark Dragovan, Matt Kenyon, Warren Holmes, and Harold Yorke "Instrumentation for the next generation cryogenic spaceborne far-IR observatories", Proc. SPIE 6687, UV/Optical/IR Space Telescopes: Innovative Technologies and Concepts III, 66870O (18 October 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.732657

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KEYWORDS

Galactic astronomy

Sensors

Bolometers

Spectroscopy

Space telescopes

Telescopes

Cameras

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