Dr. Colm P. Bracken Profile

Dr. Colm P. Bracken

Academic at National Univ of Ireland, Maynooth

SPIE Involvement:

Author

Publications (17)

Proceedings Article | 29 August 2024 Presentation + Paper

Presentation + Paper

Considerations for a next-generation Great Observatory class space-based interferometer for far-infrared astronomy

Berke Ricketti, Locke Spencer, David Leisawitz, Lee Mundy, David Wilner, Chris Benson, Gerard van Belle, Colm Bracken, Giorgio Savini, Jeremy Scott, William Grainger, Hannah Rana, Matteo Bonato, Duncan Farrah, Conor Nixon

Proceedings Volume 13095, 130951T (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3019681

KEYWORDS: Spatial resolution, Observatories, Telescopes, Astronomical interferometers, Observational astronomy, Space telescopes, Interferometers, James Webb Space Telescope, Infrared telescopes, Galactic astronomy

Read Abstract +

Astronomy at far-infrared (far-IR) wavelengths is essential to our understanding of the evolution of the cosmos, from the star formation history of galaxies to how the ice distribution affects the formation of extrasolar planetary systems. The Hubble Space Telescope, James Webb Space Telescope, and the Atacama Large Millimeter Array have already produced ground-breaking astronomical observations with high angular resolution spanning the visible to sub-millimetre wavelength regimes. However, this presents a gap in the far-IR, from roughly 30−400μm, where ground-based observations are largely intractable due to the opacity of Earth’s atmosphere. Indeed, no telescope, observatory, or interferometry array has ever achieved sub-arcsecond angular resolution over this wavelength range. A space-based solution is needed. However, a space-based far-IR telescope capable of subarcsecond angular resolution and high sensitivity, at a cost comparable to the largest space missions to date, presents unique physical, practical, and engineering challenges. In this paper, we envisage what a far-IR Great Observatory class mission might look like in the context of the already-studied Origins Space Telescope (OST) and the Space Infrared Interferometric Telescope (SPIRIT). We begin with a historical reflection of far-IR missions, including OST and the recommendations by the Astro2020 Decadal Survey for a de-scoped mission. We use this to motivate the recommendation of a space-based interferometer as a reasonable path towards sub-arcsecond angular resolution at far-IR wavelengths. Using the SPIRIT mission concept as inspiration, we consider multiple point designs for a two element, structurally connected spatial-spectral space-based far-IR interferometer to understand the implications on achieved angular resolution and estimate total mission cost in context of the Decadal Survey recommended far-IR Great Observatory cost cap. This paper illustrates the unique capabilities only possible through a space-based far-IR double Fourier interferometry mission capable of sub-arcsecond resolution.

Proceedings Article | 28 August 2024 Poster

Poster

End-to-end public simulation tools for a far-infrared space-based double Fourier interferometer

Locke Spencer, Berke Ricketti, Jeremy Scott, Aláine Lee, Colm Bracken, David Leisawitz, Lee Mundy

Proceedings Volume 13095, 1309535 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3020484

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Proceedings Article | 28 August 2024 Poster

Poster

Performance of optical to near infrared TiN/Ti/TiN tri-Layer microwave kinetic inductance detectors

Cáthal McAleer, Gary Donegan, Colm Bracken, Gerhard Ulbricht, Oisin Creaner, Mario De Lucia, Tom Ray

Proceedings Volume PC13103, PC131030V (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3019043

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Proceedings Article | 29 August 2022 Presentation + Paper

Presentation + Paper

High-uniformity TiN/Ti/TiN multilayers for the development of Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors

Mario De Lucia, E. Baldwin, G. Ulbricht, J. Piercy, O. Creaner, C. Bracken, T. Ray

Proceedings Volume 12191, 1219105 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2626867

KEYWORDS: Superconductors, Resonators, Inductance, Resistance, Titanium, Sensors, Multilayers, Temperature metrology

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Proceedings Article | 29 August 2022 Presentation + Paper

Presentation + Paper

Repurposing ROACH-1 boards for prototyping of readout systems for optical-NIR MKIDs

Oisín Creaner, Colm Bracken, Jack Piercy, Gerhard Ulbricht, Eoin Baldwin, Mario De Lucia, Tom Ray

Proceedings Volume 12191, 1219112 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2626985

KEYWORDS: Prototyping, Software development, Binary data, Inductance, Temporal resolution, Sensors, Resonators, Photodetectors, Multiplexing, Astronomical detectors, Astronomical instrumentation, Astronomical software, Spectral resolution, Spatial resolution

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Proceedings Article | 29 August 2022 Presentation

Presentation

Performance of photon counting, optical to near-IR Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors utilizing proximity effects in Ti / TiN multilayers

Gerhard Ulbricht, Mario De Lucia, Eoin Baldwin, Jack Piercy, Oisin Creaner, Colm Bracken, Tom Ray

Proceedings Volume 12191, 1219106 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2626869

KEYWORDS: Multilayers, Tin, Sensors, Photon counting, Microwave radiation, Inductance, Superconductors, Image resolution, Technetium, Single photon

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Proceedings Article | 13 December 2020 Poster + Paper

Poster + Paper

Multiplexable frequency retuning of MKID arrays using their non-linear kinetic inductance

M. De Lucia, E. Baldwin, G. Ulbricht, C. Bracken, P. Stamenov, T. Ray

Proceedings Volume 11454, 114542Z (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2560384

KEYWORDS: Inductance, Resonators, Microwave radiation, Sensors, Detector arrays, Lithography

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Proceedings Article | 13 December 2020 Poster

Poster

Frequency domain multiplexing with the Xilinx ZCU111 RFSoC board

Eoin Baldwin, Mario De Lucia, Colm Bracken, Gerhard Ulbricht, Tom Ray

Proceedings Volume 11454, 114542Q (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2561108

KEYWORDS: Multiplexing, Field programmable gate arrays, Digital filtering, Microwave radiation, Inductance, Sensors, Data conversion, Resonators, Astronomy, Signal processing

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SPIE Journal Paper | 9 February 2018

Multimode simulations of a wide field of view double-Fourier far-infrared spatio–spectral interferometer

Colm Bracken, John Lightfoot, Creidhe O'Sullivan, J. Anthony Murphy, Anthony Donohoe, Giorgio Savini, Roser Juanola-Parramon, on behalf of FISICA Consortium

JATIS, Vol. 4, Issue 01, 018004, (February 2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.JATIS.4.1.018004

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Interferometers, Mirrors, Optical simulations, Device simulation, Telescopes, Interferometry, Waveguides, Computer simulations, Wave propagation

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Proceedings Article | 24 February 2017 Paper

Paper

Radiation patterns of multimode feed-horn-coupled bolometers for FAR-IR space applications

Eimante Kalinauskaite, J. Anthony Murphy, Ian McAuley, Neal Trappe, Darragh McCarthy, Colm Bracken, Stephen Doherty, Marcin Gradziel, Créidhe O'Sullivan, Daniel Wilson, Tully Peacocke, Bruno Maffei, Jean-Michel Lamarre, Peter A. Ade, Giorgio Savini

Proceedings Volume 10103, 101030N (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2249869

KEYWORDS: Bolometers, Sensors, Waveguides, Extremely high frequency, Terahertz radiation, Beam controllers, Black bodies, Thin films, Computer simulations, Waveguide modes, Electronic filtering, Scattering, Matrices, Optical simulations, Thermal modeling, Free space

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Proceedings Article | 19 July 2016 Paper

Paper

Modeling multimode feed-horn coupled bolometers for millimeter-wave and terahertz astronomical instrumentation

Eimante Kalinauskaite, Anthony Murphy, Ian McAuley, Neil Trappe, Colm Bracken, Darragh McCarthy, Stephen Doherty, Marcin Gradziel, Creidhe O'Sullivan, Bruno Maffei, Jean-Michel Lamarre, Peter A. Ade, Giorgio Savini

Proceedings Volume 9914, 99142R (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2231444

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Bolometers, Waveguides, Scattering, Antennas, Matrices, Waveguide modes, Systems modeling, Resistance, Absorption

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Proceedings Article | 25 February 2016 Paper

Paper

Electromagnetic modelling of a space-borne far-infrared interferometer

Anthony Donohoe, Créidhe O'Sullivan, J. Anthony Murphy, Colm Bracken, Giorgio Savini, Enzo Pascale, Peter Ade, Rashmi Sudiwala, Amber Hornsby

Proceedings Volume 9747, 97471H (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2214446

KEYWORDS: Interferometers, Electromagnetism, Modeling, Astronomy, Terahertz radiation, Far infrared, Interferometry, Telescopes, Mirrors, Diffraction, Spherical lenses, Beam splitters, Collimators, Visibility

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Proceedings Article | 14 March 2015 Paper

Paper

Optical and quasi-optical analysis of system components for a far-infrared space interferometer

C. Bracken, C. O'Sullivan, A. Donohoe, A. Murphy, G. Savini, R. Juanola-Parramon, Nicola Baccichet, A. Guisseau, P. Ade, E. Pascale, L. Spencer, I. Walker, K. Dohlen, John Lightfoot, W. Holland, Martyn Jones, D. Walker, Alison McMillan

Proceedings Volume 9362, 93620N (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2076385

KEYWORDS: Mirrors, Telescopes, Space telescopes, Interferometers, Visibility, Beam propagation method, Wavefronts, Interferometry, Monochromatic aberrations, Spatial resolution

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Proceedings Article | 23 July 2014 Paper

Paper

Efficient algorithms for optimising the optical performance of profiled smooth walled horns for future CMB and Far-IR missions

Darragh McCarthy, Neil Trappe, J. Anthony Murphy, Créidhe O'Sullivan, Marcin Gradziel, Stephen Doherty, Colm Bracken, Niall Tynan, Arturo Polegre, Peter Huggard

Proceedings Volume 9153, 915316 (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2056336

KEYWORDS: Phase measurement, Waveguides, Antennas, Scattering, Polarization, Sensors, Microwave radiation, Manufacturing, Bolometers, Throat

Read Abstract +

Astronomical observations in the far-infrared are critical for investigation of cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation and the formation and evolution of planets, stars and galaxies. In the case of space telescope receivers, a strong heritage exists for corrugated horn antenna feeds to couple the far-infrared signals to the detectors mounted in a waveguide or cavity structure. Such antenna feeds have been utilized, for example, in the Planck satellite in both single-mode channels for the observation of the CMB and the multi-mode channels optimized for the detection of foreground sources. Looking to the demands of the future space missions, it is clear that the development of new technology solutions for the optimization and simplification of horn antenna structures will be required for large arrays. Horn antennas will continue to offer excellent control of beam and polarization properties for CMB polarisation experiments satisfying stringent requirements on low sidelobe levels, symmetry, and low cross polarization in large arrays. Similarly for far infrared systems, multi-mode horn and waveguide cavity structures are proposed to enhance optical coupling of weak signals for cavity coupled bolometers. In this paper we present a computationally efficient approach for modelling and optimising horn character-istics. We investigate smooth-walled horns that have an equivalent optical performance to that of corrugated horns traditionally used for CMB measurements. We discuss the horn optimisation process and the algorithms available to maximise performance of a merit parameter such as low cross polarisation or high Gaussicity. A single moded horn resulting from this design process has been constructed and experimentally verified in the W band. The results of the measurement campaign are presented in this paper and compared to the simulated results, showing a high level of agreement in co and cross polarisation radiation patterns, with low levels of integrated cross polar power. For future Far IR receivers using waveguide bounded bolometers and absorbers, an optimisation of the waveg-uide structures and absorber location within the integrating cavity is critical to maximise coupling performance particularly for multimoded systems. We outline the benefit of using multi-moded horns in focal plane arrays and illustrate the increased optical sensitivity associated with a many-moded approach, which may be optimized for coupling to particular incident beams.

Proceedings Article | 27 March 2013 Paper

Paper

Efficient horn antennas for next-generation terahertz and millimeter-wave space telescopes

Darragh McCarthy, Neil Trappe, Anthony Murphy, Colm Bracken, Stephen Doherty, Marcin Gradziel, Créidhe O'Sullivan

Proceedings Volume 8624, 862413 (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2001268

KEYWORDS: Scattering, Matrices, Waveguides, Antennas, Polarization, Space telescopes, Genetic algorithms, Wave propagation, Microwave radiation, Signal detection

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Proceedings Article | 24 September 2012 Paper

Paper

Optical modeling of waveguide coupled TES detectors towards the SAFARI instrument for SPICA

N. Trappe, C. Bracken, S. Doherty, J. Gao, D. Glowacka, D. Goldie, D. Griffin, R. Hijmering, B. Jackson, P. Khosropanah, P. Mauskopf, D. Morozov, A. Murphy, C. O'Sullivan, M. Ridder, S. Withington

Proceedings Volume 8452, 84520L (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.926760

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Waveguides, Waveguide modes, Wave propagation, Antennas, Free space, Scattering, Prototyping, Silicon, Instrument modeling

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Proceedings Article | 2 March 2012 Paper

Paper

New developments in waveguide mode-matching techniques for far- infrared astronomy

J. Anthony Murphy, Stephen Doherty, Neil Trappe, Colm Bracken, Tully Peacocke, Creidhe O'Sullivan

Proceedings Volume 8261, 82610F (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.908068

KEYWORDS: Waveguides, Waveguide modes, Scattering, Systems modeling, Sensors, Wave propagation, Bolometers, Antennas, Radio propagation, Astronomy

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Showing 5 of 17 publications

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