11:00 am–12:00 pm ERC 401
Title: Improving H2RG Performance in the SPHEREx Focal Plane Assemblies
Abstract: The NASA MIDEX mission Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer (SPHEREx) is an all-sky survey designed to study the physics of inflation, the history of galaxy formation, and the bionic ices in the Milky Way. In addition, the survey data will be compiled into a catalog of galaxy redshifts and spectra accessible to all astronomers. SPHEREx was successfully launched in early March 2025, and the science survey recently commenced in May 2025. During the planned two-year mission, SPHEREx will provide four all-sky maps in 102 near-infrared spectral bands between 0.75 and 5.0 um. Each of SPHEREx two focal plane assemblies (FPAs) consists of a mosaic of three HAWAII-2RG (H2RG) detector arrays and three linear variable filters (LVF) to vary the spectral response along one array direction. SPHEREx is designed to operate at cryogenic temperatures achieved via passive cooling in orbit. To meet the stringent sensitivity requirement placed by the galaxy formation study, we optimize the frequency-dependent (1/f) noise in the H2RG detectors using row chopping, monitoring of the amplifier drifts during an exposure, and increased samplings of optically dark reference pixels. In this talk, I will review the SPHEREx instrument, the detector readout scheme, and results from the readout parameter testing.
Zoom: https://uchicago.zoom.us/j/98910526387?pwd=nob2d2IMsbCCN5DaGnhZ1vgMNht3v5.1
