Breaking through the geocoronal barrier: spectroscopic validation of the hydrogen absorption cell for Lyman-alpha attenuation

Isu Ravi; Jack Ford; Stephan McCandliss; Russell Pelton

doi:10.1117/12.3020395

21 August 2024 Breaking through the geocoronal barrier: spectroscopic validation of the hydrogen absorption cell for Lyman-alpha attenuation

Isu Ravi, Jack Ford, Stephan McCandliss, Russell Pelton

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 13093, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2024: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray; 130930J (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3020395
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2024, Yokohama, Japan

Abstract

The Johns Hopkins Rocket Group is developing hydrogen absorption cell technology to mitigate the Lyman-alpha emission challenge posed by the geocorona for astronomical photometry in the Lyman ultraviolet spectrum (1000- 1216 Å) from low-Earth orbit. We have assembled a prototype cell from 1.33 SS CFF tube, two (2mm) LiF windows and a tungsten filament. The cell is filled with H₂ to a pressure of 2 torr. The heated filament thermally dissociates the H₂ into its atomic form, which will absorb Lyman-alpha. In theory, the pressure is high enough to collisionaly de-excite the H, thus preventing resonant re-scattering.

We have begun testing and have preliminary results using the Long-slit Imaging Dual Order Spectrograph. Spectral testing of the Lyman-alpha line profiles are vital for advancing hydrogen absorption cell technology in future Lyman ultraviolet missions. These tests can reveal whether or not molecular hydrogen fluorescence is occurring from either electron impact excitation or recombination in higher energy states. Our preliminary results have shown attenuation of the source Lyman-alpha signal by roughly 73% with an associated optical depth of 1.3 and hydrogen column density of 2.2 x 10¹³. Future tests will involve cooling down our lamp/hydrogen cell system as well as testing multiple filament configurations for the most efficient input power possible.

Conference Presentation

(2024) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Citation Download Citation

Isu Ravi, Jack Ford, Stephan McCandliss, and Russell Pelton "Breaking through the geocoronal barrier: spectroscopic validation of the hydrogen absorption cell for Lyman-alpha attenuation", Proc. SPIE 13093, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2024: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray, 130930J (21 August 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3020395

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