Herschel PACS focal plane unit

Roland Graue; Dirk Kampf; Albrecht Poglitsch; Norbert Geis

doi:10.1117/12.461601

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5 March 2003 Herschel PACS focal plane unit

Roland Graue, Dirk Kampf, Albrecht Poglitsch, Norbert Geis

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Proceedings Volume 4850, IR Space Telescopes and Instruments; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.461601
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2002, Waikoloa, Hawai'i, United States

Abstract

The Photoconductor Array Camera and Spectrometer (PACS) is developed by an European consortium led by MPE, Germany. It is one of 3 cryogenic focal plane instruments of the Herschel Space Observatory, 1 of the 4 cornerstone missions within the ESA Horizon 2000 programme. The instrument will cover the wavelength regime from 60-210μm to explore the cold universe. The input beam is distributed to 4 advanced IR-detectors - 2 Ge:Ga photoconductor arrays for spectroscopy and 2 bolometer detector arrays for photometry - via a complex and very compact optomechanical layout with approx. 50 passive and active optical mirrors and 4 precision mechanisms. The paper will give an overview about the final optomechanical and thermal design of the thermal mass dummy and the cryo qualification model of the PACS Focal Plane Unit (FPU). The manufacturing and coating techniques of the lightweight aluminum mirrors applied to fulfill the infrared performance requirements even under cryogenic conditions and the alignment plan and optical verification concept in the visible range is outlined. The advanced manufacturing and thermal treatment procedures for the all aluminum optical bench are described in detail. Special emphasis is given to the dedicated development and verification efforts of a sophisticated IR Black Paint with extremely high IR-absorption used for effective straylight suppression. The conceptual architecture of the 2 very temperature stable and homogenous calibration sources is reported.

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Roland Graue, Dirk Kampf, Albrecht Poglitsch, and Norbert Geis "Herschel PACS focal plane unit", Proc. SPIE 4850, IR Space Telescopes and Instruments, (5 March 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.461601

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