A long-standing problem of astrophysical research is how to simultaneously obtain spectra of thousands of sources randomly positioned in the field of view of a telescope. Digital Micromirror Devices, used as optical switches, provide a most powerful solution allowing to design a new generation of instruments with unprecedented capabilities. We illustrate the key factors (opto-mechanical, cryo-thermal, cosmic radiation environment,...) that constrain the design of DMD-based multi-object spectrographs, with particular emphasis on the IR spectroscopic channel onboard the EUCLID mission, currently considered by the European Space Agency for a 2017 launch date.

Applications of DMDs for astrophysical research

A long-standing problem of astrophysical research is how to simultaneously obtain spectra of thousands of sources
randomly positioned in the field of view of a telescope. Digital Micromirror Devices, used as optical switches, provide a
most powerful solution allowing to design a new generation of instruments with unprecedented capabilities. We
illustrate the key factors (opto-mechanical, cryo-thermal, cosmic radiation environment,...) that constrain the design of
DMD-based multi-object spectrographs, with particular emphasis on the IR spectroscopic channel onboard the EUCLID
mission, currently considered by the European Space Agency for a 2017 launch date.

Electrostatically actuated microshutter arrays consisting of rotational microshutters (shutters that rotate about a torsion bar) were designed and fabricated through the use of models and experiments. Design iterations focused on minimizing the torsional stiffness of the microshutters while maintaining their structural integrity. Mechanical and electromechanical test systems were constructed to measure the static and dynamic behavior of the microshutters. The torsional stiffness was reduced by a factor of four over initial designs without sacrificing durability. The analysis of the resonant behavior of the microshutters demonstrates that the first resonant mode is a torsional mode occurring around 3000 Hz. At low vacuum pressures, this resonant mode can be used to significantly reduce the drive voltage necessary for actuation requiring as little as 25 V. The 2-D electrostatic latching and addressing was demonstrated using both a resonant and a pulsed addressing scheme. [2015–0172]

/pdf/2-d-electrostatic-actuation-of-microshutter-arrays-2sy5qrj9ju.pdf

2-D Electrostatic Actuation of Microshutter Arrays

The X-ray integral field unit (X-IFU) is a cryogenic spectrometer for the Advanced Telescope for High ENergy Astrophysics (ATHENA). ATHENA is a planned next-generation space-based X-ray observatory with capabilities that surpass the spectral resolution of prior missions. Proposed device designs contain up to 3840 transition edge sensors, each acting as an individual pixel on the detector, presenting a unique challenge for wiring superconducting leads in the focal plane assembly. In prototypes that require direct wiring, the edges of X-IFU focal plane have hosted aluminum wirebonding pads; however, indium (In) ‘bumps’ deposited on an interface layer such as molybdenum nitride (MoN) can instead be used as an array of superconducting interconnects. We investigated bumped MoN:In structures with different process cleans and layer thicknesses. Measurements of the resistive transitions showed variation of transition temperature Tc as a function of bias and generally differed from the expected bulk Tc of In (3.41 K). Observed resistance of the In bump structures at temperatures below the MoN transition (at 8.0 K) also depended on the varied parameters. For our proposed X-IFU geometry (10 µm of In mated to a 1-µm In bump), we measured a minimum Tc of 3.14 K at a bias current of 3 mA and a normal resistance of 0.59 mΩ per interconnect. We also investigated the design and fabrication of superconducting niobium (Nb) microstrip atop flexible polyimide. We present a process for integrating In bumps with the flexible Nb leads to enable high-density wiring for the ATHENA X-IFU focal plane.

/pdf/fabrication-of-flexible-superconducting-wiring-with-high-2tdh2dz6pj.pdf

Fabrication of Flexible Superconducting Wiring with High Current-Carrying Capacity Indium Interconnects

We are developing a 2D programmable field masks for Mutli-Object Spectroscopy (MOS) in sparsely populated fields. The device is based on the microshutter array MEMS technology originally developed for JWST NIRSpec. A new fabrication process has been developed to actuate microshutter arrays electrostatically thus eliminating the need for the macroscopic mechanisms and improving the reliability and robustness of the device. The microshutters, made with silicon nitride membranes with a shutter pitch size of 100 μm x 200 μm, rotate on narrow torsion bars. The microshutters are actuated, latched, and addressed electrostatically by applying voltages to the electrodes on the microshutters and the adjacent walls of the array support grid. We have demonstrated the fabrication and operation of the pilot arrays and produced an integrated flight unit that was successfully used on the FORTIS (Far-UV Off Rowland-circle Telescope for Imaging and Spectroscopy) project for suborbital flight in 2019.

Programmable microshutter selection masks in application to UV spectroscopy

We have developed microshutter array systems at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center for use as multi-object
aperture arrays for a Near-Infrared Spectrometer (NIRSpec) instrument. The instrument will be carried on the
James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the next generation of space telescope, after the Hubble Space
Telescope retires. The microshutter arrays (MSAs) are designed for the selective transmission of light from
objected galaxies in space with high efficiency and high contrast. Arrays are close-packed silicon nitride
membranes with a pixel size close to 100x200 μm. Individual shutters are patterned with a torsion flexure
permitting shutters to open 90 degrees with minimized stress concentration. In order to enhance optical
contrast, light shields are made on each shutter to prevent light leak. Shutters are actuated magnetically,
latched and addressed electrostatically. The shutter arrays are fabricated using MEMS bulk-micromachining
and packaged utilizing a novel single-sided indium flip-chip bonding technology. The MSA flight system
consists of a mosaic of 2 x 2 format of four fully addressable 365 x 171 arrays. The system will be placed in
the JWST optical path at the focal plane of NIRSpec detectors. MSAs that we fabricated passed a series of
qualification tests for flight capabilities. We are in the process of making final flight-qualified MSA systems
for the JWST mission.

/pdf/microshutter-array-system-for-james-webb-space-telescope-3o6v6yh37a.pdf

Microshutter Array System for James Webb Space Telescope

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Microshutter Array System for James Webb Space Telescope