Engineering topics
Chui, T.
Publications and source records attributed to Chui, T..
Mid Infrared Instrument Cooler Subsystem Test Facility Overview
The Cryocooler for the Mid Infrared Instrument (MIRI) on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) provides cooling at 6.2K on the instrument interface. The cooler system design has been incrementally documented in previous publications [1][2][3][4][5]. It has components that traverse three primary thermal regions on JWST: Region 1, approximated by 40K; Region 2, approximated by 100K; and Region 3, which is at the allowable flight temperatures for the spacecraft bus. However, there are several sub-regions that exist in the transition between primary regions and at the heat reject interfaces of the Cooler Compressor Assembly (CCA) and Cooler Control Electronics Assembly (CCEA). The design and performance of the test facility to provide a flight representative thermal environment for acceptance testing and characterization of the complete MIRI cooler subsystem are presented.
Development of Fast, Background-Limited Transition-Edge Sensors for the Background-Limited Infrared/Sub-Millimetre Spectrograph (BLISS) for SPICA
We report experimental progress toward demonstrating background-limited arrays of membrane-isolated transition-edge sensors (TESs) for the Background Limited Infrared/Sub-mm Spectrograph (BLISS). BLISS is a space-borne instrument with grating spectrometers for wavelengths lambda = 35-435 microns and with R = lambda/(delta)lambda approx. 500. The goals for BLISS TESs are: noise equivalent power (NEP) = 5x10(exp -20) W/Hz(1/2) and response time t<30ms. We expect background-limited performance from bilayers TESs with T(sub c)=65mK and G=15fW/K. However, such TESs cannot be operated at 50mK unless stray power on the devices, or dark power PD, is less than 200aW. We describe criteria for measuring P? that requires accurate knowledge of TC. Ultimately, we fabricated superconducting thermistors from Ir (T(sub c) > or = 135mK) and Mo/Cu proximitized bilayers, where T(sub c) is the thermistor transition temperature. We measured the Ir TES arrays in our 50mK adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator test system, which can measure up to eight 1x32 arrays simultaneously using a time-division multiplexer, as well as our single-pixel test system which can measure down to 15mK. In our previous Ir array measurements our best reported performance was NEP=2.5x10(exp -19) W/Hz(1/2) and tapprox.5ms for straight-beam TESs. In fact, we expected NEPapprox.1.5x10(exp -19)W/Hz(1/2) for meander beam TESs, but did not achieve this previously due to 1/f noise. Here, we detail improvements toward measuring the expected NEP and demonstrate NEP=(1.3+0.2)x10(exp -19)W/Hz(1/2) in our single-pixel test system and NEP=(1.6+0.3)x10(exp -19)W/Hz(1/2) in our array test system.
Development of Fast, Background-Limited Transition-Edge Sensors for the Background-Limited Infrared/Sub-mm Spectrograph (BLISS) for SPICA
We report experimental progress toward demonstrating background-limited arrays of membrane-isolated transition-edge sensors (TESs) for the Background Limited Infrared/Sub-mm Spectrograph (BLISS). BLISS is a space-borne instrument with grating spectrometers for wavelengths lambda=35-435 micron and with R=lambda/delta lambda approximately equals 500. The goals for BLISS TESs are: noise equivalent power (NEP) = 5x10 (sup -20) W/Hz(exp 1/2) and response time tau <30ms. We expect background-limited performance from bilayers TESs with T(sub c) = 65mK and G=15fW/K. However, such TESs cannot be operated at 50mK unless stray power on the devices, or dark power P(sub D), is less than 200aW. We describe criteria for measuring P(sub D) that requires accurate knowledge of TC. Ultimately, we fabricated superconducting thermistors from Ir (T(sub c) >= 135mK) and Mo/Cu proximitized bilayers, where T(sub c) is the thermistor transition temperature. We measured the Ir TES arrays in our 50mK adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator test system, which can measure up to eight 1x32 arrays simultaneously using a time-division multiplexer, as well as our single-pixel test system which can measure down to 15mK. In our previous Ir array measurements our best reported performance was NEP=2.5x10(exp -19) W/Hz(sub 1/2) and Tau approximately equals 5ms for straight-beam TESs. In fact, we expected NEP approximately equals 1.5x10(exp -19)?W/Hz(sup 1/2) for meander beam TESs, but did not achieve this previously due to 1/f noise. Here, we detail improvements toward measuring the expected NEP and demonstrate NEP=(1.3+0.2)x10 (sup -19)W/Hz(exp 1/2) in our single-pixel test system and NEP=(1.6+/-0.3)x10(sup -19)W/Hz(sup 1/2) in our array test system.
Achieving BLISS: Challenges for Building Fast, Ultra-Sensitive Transition-Edge Sensors
Topics: 1.Motivation and Intro to TESs. 2. BLISS Specifications-tolerance to dark power. 3.Measuring stray (dark) power-Tc (alpha) and G measurements. a) Overview two methods: JTD vs. TES. b) TES arrays: measurement and complications for Pd, Tc, and alpha. 4. Results: Pd compare, NEP, tau, 1/f issues. LIRGs and ULIRGs: Excellent example of distinct optical/UV and IR luminosity. Interaction long known, but huge luminosity is not predicted based on optical studies. (greater than 90% of the energy is emitted at in the far-IR). Large luminosity has both starburst and accretion components.
Ultra-Sensitive Transition-Edge Sensors for the Background Limited Infrared/Sub-mm Spectrograph (BLISS)
We report progress in fabricating ultra-sensitive superconducting transition-edge sensors (TESs) for BLISS. BLISS is a suite of grating spectrometers covering 35-433 micron with R approx. 700 cooled to 50 mK that is proposed to fly on the Japanese space telescope SPICA. The detector arrays for BLISS are TES bolometers readout with a time domain SQUID multiplexer. The required noise equivalent power (NEP) for BLISS is NEP = 10(exp -19) W/Hz(exp 1/2) with an ultimate goal of NEP= 5 x 10(exp -20) W/Hz(exp 1/2) to achieve background limited noise performance. The required and goal response times are tau = 150 ms and tau = 50ms respectively to achieve the NEP at the required and goal optical chop frequency 1-5 Hz. We measured prototype BLISS arrays and have achieved NEP = 6 x 10(exp -18) W/Hz(exp 1/2) and tau = 1.4 ms with a Ti TES (T(sub C) = 565 mK) and NEP approx. 2.5 x 10(exp -19) W/Hz(exp 1/2) and tau approximates 4.5 ms with an Ir TES (T(sub C) = 130 mK). Dark power for these tests is estimated at 1-5 fW.
A novel two-step laser ranging technique for a precision test of the theory of gravity
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High-resolution displacement sensor using SQUID array amplifier
We describe the design and operation principle of a new displacement sensor with a substantial improvement in resolution over what is currently possible.
The fluctuations of the phase difference across an array of Josephson Junction
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Fluctuations of the Phase Difference Across an Array of Josephson Junctions in Superfluid He-4
We present a formal thermodynamic treatment of superfluid flow in a Josephson junction. We show that the current and the phase difference are thermodynamic conjugate variables. We derive quantitative expressions for the rms fluctuations of these variables. Also, we discuss the thermodynamic stability and the thermal activation to the phase slip region. We apply the developed formalism to show why an array of apertures in He-4 can exhibit the Josephson effect near the Lambda transition despite strong thermal fluctuations.
The Low Temperature Microgravity Physics Facility
The Low Temperature Microgravity Physics Facility currently in the design phase is a multiple user and multiple flight facility intended to provide a long duration low temperature environment onboard the International Space Station.
The Low Temperature Microgravity Physics Experiments Facility
We give detailed technical capabilities of the Low Temperature Microgravity Physics Experiments Facility (LTMPEF).
Fundamental physics on the JEM-EF: the low temperature microgravity physics experiments facility
This paper addresses the experiment environment - what LTMPEF and the International Space Station (ISS) provide, as well as the environmental factors that may degrade the scientific return from the facility.
Quest to observe the Bulk Superfluid breakdown in a heat flux
The paper talks about the quest to observe the bulk superfluid breakdown in a heat flux.
The Low Temperature Microgravity Physics Facility (LTMPF)
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The Low Temperature Microgravity Physics Facility (LTMPF)
We will describe the LTMPF, its objectives, its science requirements, and provide a brief description of the science investigations. The current status of the project and the facility design including results on the performance of flight-like subsystems will also be presented.