Astrophysics Breakout

Don FigerRIT, RIDL

3IT Collaboratory 2009 Research Symposium

Charge to Breakout Sessions• Breakout groups will determine:

– the most pressing questions in their area that leverage QLIDs– the most important detector characteristics for answering these questions– the specific technologies that are most promising for achieving these

characteristics– the hurdles for implementing these technologies– the R&D roadmap for overcoming these hurdles– the funding opportunities for executing the R&D roadmap

• The four areas are:– biomedical– astrophysics– Earth system science– defense/homeland security

• Group leads will present findings in the final session of the workshop.

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4IT Collaboratory 2009 Research Symposium

Breakout Session Leads

• Biomedical Tim Tredwell

• AstrophysicsDon Figer

• Earth Systems ScienceJeff Puschell

• Defensee/Homeland SecurityMark Bocko

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5IT Collaboratory 2009 Research Symposium

The Top Five Science Drivers for Detectors: Astrophysics1. What is dark energy? (QE, read noise, DC)2. What is dark matter? (QE, read noise, DC)3. What processes alter the surfaces of

planets/moons? (thermal imaging, LIDAR, dynamic features with DFPA)

4. Do Earth-like planets exist?5. Does extraterrestrial life exist? (O3, MIR)

6. When was the Universe enriched with metals? 7. How were galaxies assembled?

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6IT Collaboratory 2009 Research Symposium

The Top Detector Characteristics for: Astrophysics1. in-pixel wavelength discrimination2. high QE across broad range 3. low dark current4. zero read noise5. time-tagging (for LIDAR)6. larger formats (>10K x 10K)7. lower power, higher temp. operation8. lower cost operation (e.g. standardized ASIC, easier

than SIDECAR)9. high dynamic range: 1 - 1E7 photons10. high speed capabilities, yet retain low noise

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7IT Collaboratory 2009 Research Symposium

Reference Chart: Key Detector Characteristics

DarkCurrentDark

Current λ/Δλλ/ΔλQEQE λλReadNoise

ReadNoise ΔtΔt

Quantum-Limited Imaging Detector

PP

EarthSystemScience

EarthSystemScience

BiomedicalImaging

BiomedicalImaging

HomelandSafety

HomelandSafety DefenseDefense

8IT Collaboratory 2009 Research Symposium

Detector Performance Requirements for: Astrophysics

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Parameter Current Goal

Format

Pixel Size

Read Noise

Dark Current

QE

Latent Image

Flux Rate Capacity

Operating Temperature

Fill Factor

Radiation Immunity

Susceptibility to Radiation Transients

Technology Readiness Level

9IT Collaboratory 2009 Research Symposium

The Most Promising Detector Technologies for: Astrophysics1. TES, SSPD: wavelength detection2. SSPD, GM-APD: zero read noise3. MCP: single photon counting UV4. GM-APD: time-tagging5. Digital solid state photomultiplier array (BiB,

Rockwell Anaheim/Boeing)6. DFPA

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10IT Collaboratory 2009 Research Symposium

Hurdles for the Most Promising Detector Technologies for: Astrophysics

1. TES: QE, temperature, format2. GM-APD: afterpulsing3. SSPD: cold operation4. TES: extremely cold, not ideal wavelength

coverage5. DFPA: for low backgrounds??

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11IT Collaboratory 2009 Research Symposium

Detector R&D Roadmap for: Astrophysics

1. GM-APDa) demonstrate 1 e-/s/pixelb) demonstrate ~64x64 diode/ROIC array at 150 Kc) design megapixel array and demonstrate at telescope

2. SSPD (NbN)a) demonstrate an array with high QE

3. TESa) demonstrate QE vs. lambda from UV to MIRb) find magic material that operates at higher Tc) demonstrate low noise

4. DFPAa) demonstrate low background capabilityb) demonstrate long integration timec) demonstrate low noise

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12IT Collaboratory 2009 Research Symposium

Funding Possibilities: Astrophysics

1. NASA ROSES APRA, PIDDP2. NSF ATI3. Private4. DARPA MTO BAA5. Stimulus funding

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