Conference proceeding
Characterization and testing of a cross-delay line microchannel plate detector for the Aspera SmallSat mission
Proceedings of SPIE, the international society for optical engineering, Vol.13625, pp.1362513-1362513-11
09/18/2025
DOI: 10.1117/12.3064828
Abstract
Aspera is a NASA Pioneers Mission designed to reach ultra-low surface brightness limits in the Far Ultraviolet (FUV). The small satellite payload consists of two identical spectrograph channels, both sharing a single detector and covering between 1013 − 1057 Å. The FUV sensitivity of this mission hinges on the availability of high QE, low background, photon-counting detectors. Aspera uses a microchannel plate detector (MCP) designed and manufactured by Sensor Sciences. The detector is a small-format, flat MCP stack with a CsI photocathode. A custom cross-delay line (XDL) anode has been designed to optimize the resolution in two separate active areas on the detector, one from each spectrograph channel. We present characterization and testing performed at Sensor Sciences and the University of Arizona with the Aspera flight electronics following the delivery of the flight model detectors.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Characterization and testing of a cross-delay line microchannel plate detector for the Aspera SmallSat mission
- Creators
- Nicole Melso - Steward Observatory (United States)Aafaque R. Khan - Steward Observatory (United States)Keri Hoadley - University of FloridaOswald Siegmund - Sensor ElectronicsAdrian Martin - Sensor ElectronicsDave Hamara - University of ArizonaBill Verts - Steward Observatory (United States)Hannah Tanquary - Steward Observatory (United States)Carlos Vargas - Steward Observatory (United States)Haeun Chung - Steward Observatory (United States)Tom McMahon - Steward Observatory (United States)Erika Hamden - Steward Observatory (United States)Naomi Yescas - University of ArizonaElijah Garcia - University of ArizonaDaniel Truong - University of ArizonaMiriam Keppler - Steward Observatory (United States)Jin-Ah Kim - Steward Observatory (United States)Simran Agarwal - Steward Observatory (United States)Ramona Augustin - Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics PotsdamPeter Behroozi - Steward Observatory (United States)Harrison Bradley - Steward Observatory (United States)Joe Burchett - New Mexico State UniversityHeejoo Choi - Optical SciencesLauren Corlies - Univ. of California Observatories (United States)Jason Corliss - University of ArizonaFernando Coronado - Steward Observatory (United States)Greyson Davis - University of IowaRalf-Jürgen Dettmar - Ruhr University BochumEwan S. Douglas - Steward Observatory (United States)Badi Ebrahimifard - Analytical ServicesGiulia Ghidoli - University of ArizonaAlfred Goodwin - Steward Observatory (United States)Walter Harris - University of ArizonaCarl Hergenrother - University of ArizonaJ. Christopher Howk - University of FloridaNazende Ipek Kerkeser - Steward Observatory (United States)Daewook Kim - Steward Observatory (United States)Kimberly Knott - Steward Observatory (United States)Jessica Li - Steward Observatory (United States)Jasmine Martinez Castillo - Steward Observatory (United States)Jamison Noenickx - Steward Observatory (United States)Ryan Pecha - Steward Observatory (United States)Cork Sauve - Steward Observatory (United States)David Schiminovich - Columbia UniversitySanford Selznick - University of ArizonaRebecca Su - University of ArizonaSumedha Uppnor - University of ArizonaEllie Wolcott - Steward Observatory (United States)Dennis Zaritsky - Steward Observatory (United States)
- Contributors
- Oswald H. Siegmund (Editor) - Sensor ElectronicsKeri Hoadley (Editor) - University of Florida
- Resource Type
- Conference proceeding
- Publication Details
- Proceedings of SPIE, the international society for optical engineering, Vol.13625, pp.1362513-1362513-11
- DOI
- 10.1117/12.3064828
- ISSN
- 0277-786X
- Publisher
- SPIE
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/18/2025
- Academic Unit
- Physics and Astronomy
- Record Identifier
- 9985019038502771
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