The optical coupling of detectors to telescope optics is a challenge for future far-infrared astrophysics observatories. The PRobe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics (PRIMA) collaboration has developed monolithic silicon microlens arrays for superconducting detector arrays spanning wavelengths from 24 to 261 microns. These custom-microfabricated lens arrays meet the stringent surface accuracy and roughness requirements that are necessary at PRIMA’s shortest wavelengths. Grayscale lithography is used in combination with deep silicon plasma etching to create arrays of three-dimensional lens profiles. This fabrication process generates highly uniform and accurate microlenses across a roughly 80 by 10 millimeter 1008-element array. The kilopixel microlens arrays are bonded to matching PRIMA detector arrays with a thin and uniform layer of epoxy. In this presentation, we report on the status and performance of PRIMA’s microlens fabrication and microlens-detector array hybridization processes.
The Line Emission Mapper (LEM) is an x-ray probe mission concept that is designed to provide unprecedented insight into the physics of galaxy formation, including stellar and black-hole feedback and flows of baryonic matter into and out of galaxies. LEM incorporates a light-weight x-ray optic with a large-format microcalorimeter array. The LEM detector utilizes a 14k pixel array of transition-edge sensors (TESs) that will provide <2.5 eV spectral resolution over the energy range 0.2 to 2 keV, along with a field-of-view of 30 arcmin. The microcalorimeter array and readout builds upon the technology developed for the European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) Athena/x-ray Integral Field Unit. Here, we present a detailed overview of the baseline microcalorimeter design, its performance characteristics, including a detailed energy resolution budget and the expected count-rate capability. In addition, we outline the current status and plan for continued technology maturation. Behind the LEM array sits a high-efficiency TES-based anticoincidence (antico) detector that will reject cosmic-ray background events. We will briefly describe the design of the antico and plan for continued development.
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