The next generation of astronomical space-based far-infrared (FIR) missions require ultra-sensitive spectroscopy as a diagnostic tool. These instruments use ultra-sensitive detector technologies to attain unprecedented levels of spectral observing sensitivity. The reception patterns of the individual detectors consist of individually coherent orthogonal field distributions, or equivalently, they are few-mode (5 to 20), to increase the spectral-spatial coupling to the astronomical source. However, the disadvantage of few-mode detectors is an increase in coupling to external (from the sky or warm telescope optics) and internal (from the instrument itself) straylight, which can greatly affect the measurement of the source spectrum. Therefore, understanding the spectral-spatial few-mode behavior of these systems in detail, and developing verification and calibration strategies, are crucial to ensure that the science goals of these future mission are met. Since conventional modelling techniques are less suited to address this problem, we developed a modal framework to model, analyze, and address these issues. In this paper, we use Herschel’s spectral and photometric imaging receiver (SPIRE) as a case study, because its optical design is representative for future FIR missions and illustrative to highlight calibration issues observed in-flight, while including straylight. Our analysis consist out of two part. In the first part, we use our modal framework to simulate the few-mode SPIRE Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS). In the second part, we carry out a end-to-end frequency-dependent partially coherent analysis of Herschel-SPIRE. These simulations offer a qualitative explanation for the few-mode behavior observed in-flight. Furthermore, we use the Herschel-SPIRE case-study to demonstrate how the modelling framework can be used to support the design, verification and calibration of spectrometers for future FIR missions. The modal framework is not only limited to the spectrometers discussed, but it can be used to simulated a wide range of spectrometers, such as low-resolution gratings and high-spectral resolution Fabry-Pérot interferometers.
Scientists must reconsider the design of cryogenically cooled spectrometers in order to fully exploit the ever-increasing sensitivity of superconducting far-infrared bolometers. While Fourier transform spectrometers (FTS) have an illustrious history in astronomical research, the sensitivity of modern detectors is such that the multiplex disadvantage of FTS is prohibitive unless the spectral bandpass can be restricted to a few tenths of one percent. One method of achieving this goal is to use a diffraction grating as a post-dispersing component. Unlike a typical FTS, in which a single detector simultaneously measures a broad spectral band, a post-dispersed detection system requires multiple detectors, each with their own unique spectral, spatial and temporal responses. Moreover, the narrow spectral band viewed by each detector results in an interferogram having a large coherence length. In general, the signal is heavily modulated, yet truncated. While simulations play a useful role in modeling instrumental performance, there is no substitute for data obtained from a real implementation of an instrument concept. In this paper we describe the development of a cryogenic, far-infrared, post-dispersed, polarizing FTS (PDPFTS). The end-to-end performance of the PDPFTS will be evaluated in a large cryogenic test facility to simulate a space environment. The results provide valuable insight into the spectral calibration and data processing challenges that will be faced by hybrid spectrometers employing a post-dispersed component.
The optical modelling of far-infrared partially-coherent grating spectrometers has long been considered difficult, due to the multi-mode diffractive nature of the grating optics. However, for the next generation of far-infrared space missions the need for understanding the complex behaviour of these grating spectrometers has intensified. Conventional modelling techniques are difficult to apply because i) the field is partially coherent; ii) diffraction and focusing effects are crucially important; iii) diffraction integrals need to be sampled finely over large optical surfaces. We describe an effective approach based on propagating the correlation functions of the radiation field using the natural modes of the optical system. First, the transformation matrix of the system, T, is determined, which captures the natural modes of the optics. Next, the correlations functions are propagated through the optics using T. The result is a modal optics technique that captures all performance information, in terms of the spectral, spatial and coherence details, within a single framework. In the paper, we explain the foundations of the method and demonstrate its applicability based on a number of standard far-infrared optical systems. Our scheme is numerically powerful, and provides insights into the trade-offs needed to optimise performance. The analysis we will extended to partially coherent far-infrared grating spectrometers as a function of the incident spectral field compositions, scattering at the grating optics, and detector geometry to improve our understanding of such systems.
The continued improvement in the sensitivity of superconducting far-infrared bolometers necessitates improved designs of cryogenically cooled broadband spectrometers in order to fully exploit the potential of such detectors. While Fourier transform spectrometers (FTS) have an illustrious history in astronomical research, the sensitivity of state-of-the-art detectors is such that the multiplex disadvantage of FTS is prohibitive unless the spectral bandpass can be restricted to less than 1%. One method of achieving this goal, and the one that has been adopted for the SPICA SAFARI instrument, is to use a diffraction grating as the post-dispersing component. Unlike a typical FTS, in which a single detector simultaneously measures a broad spectral band, a post-dispersed detection system requires multiple detectors, each with their own unique spectral, spatial, and temporal responses. Moreover, the narrow spectral band viewed by each detector results in an interferogram having a large coherence length; the signal is heavily modulated, yet truncated. While simulations play a useful role in modeling instrumental performance, there is no substitute for data obtained from a real implementation of an instrument concept. In this paper we describe the development and current status of a cryogenic, far-infrared, postdispersed, polarizing FTS (PDPFTS): a demonstrator for the SPICA SAFARI instrument.
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