Microchannel plate detector technology potential for LUVOIR and HabEx

O. H. W. Siegmund; C. Ertley; J. V. Vallerga; E. R. Schindhelm; A. Harwit; B. T. Fleming; K. C. France; J. C. Green; S. R. McCandliss; W. M. Harris

doi:10.1117/12.2274281

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29 August 2017 Microchannel plate detector technology potential for LUVOIR and HabEx

O. H. W. Siegmund, C. Ertley, J. V. Vallerga, E. R. Schindhelm, A. Harwit, B. T. Fleming, K. C. France, J. C. Green, S. R. McCandliss, W. M. Harris

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Proceedings Volume 10397, UV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Space Instrumentation for Astronomy XX; 1039711 (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2274281
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2017, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Microchannel plate (MCP) detectors have been the detector of choice for ultraviolet (UV) instruments onboard many NASA missions. These detectors have many advantages, including high spatial resolution (<20 μm), photon counting, radiation hardness, large formats (up to 20 cm), and ability for curved focal plane matching. Novel borosilicate glass MCPs with atomic layer deposition combine extremely low backgrounds, high strength, and tunable secondary electron yield. GaN and combinations of bialkali/alkali halide photocathodes show promise for broadband, higher quantum efficiency. Cross-strip anodes combined with compact ASIC readout electronics enable high spatial resolution over large formats with high dynamic range. The technology readiness levels of these technologies are each being advanced through research grants for laboratory testing and rocket flights. Combining these capabilities would be ideal for UV instruments onboard the Large UV/Optical/IR Surveyor (LUVOIR) and the Habitable Exoplanet Imaging Mission (HABEX) concepts currently under study for NASA’s Astrophysics Decadal Survey.

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O. H. W. Siegmund, C. Ertley, J. V. Vallerga, E. R. Schindhelm, A. Harwit, B. T. Fleming, K. C. France, J. C. Green, S. R. McCandliss, and W. M. Harris "Microchannel plate detector technology potential for LUVOIR and HabEx", Proc. SPIE 10397, UV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Space Instrumentation for Astronomy XX, 1039711 (29 August 2017); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2274281

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