Engineering topics

Farhoomand, Jam

Publications and source records attributed to Farhoomand, Jam.

8 records

NASA NTRS1994

Resonant infrared detector with substantially unit quantum efficiency

A resonant infrared detector includes an infrared-active layer which has first and second parallel faces and which absorbs radiation of a given wavelength. The detector also includes a first tuned reflective layer, disposed opposite the first face of the infrared-active layer, which reflects a specific portion of the radiation incident thereon and allows a specific portion of the incident radiation at the given wavelength to reach the infrared-active layer. A second reflective layer, disposed opposite the second face of the infrared-active layer, reflects back into the infrared-active layer substantially all of the radiation at the given wavelength which passes through the infrared-active layer. The reflective layers have the effect of increasing the quantum efficiency of the infrared detector relative to the quantum efficiency of the infrared-active layer alone.

Farhoomand, Jam↗

NASA NTRS1991

Design parameters of a resonant infrared photoconductor with unity quantum efficiency

This paper proposes a concept of a resonant infrared photoconductor that has characteristics of 100 percent quantum efficiency, high photoconductive gain, and very low noise equivalent power. Central to this concept is an establishment of a high-finesse absorption cavity internal to the detector element. A theoretical analysis is carried out, demonstrating this concept and providing some design guidelines. A Ge:Ga FIR detector is presently being fabricated using this approach.

Farhoomand, Jam↗

NASA NTRS1990

Performance of multiplexed Ge:Ga detector arrays in the far infrared

The performance of two multi-element, multiplexed Ge:Ga linear arrays under low-background conditions was investigated. The on-focal switching is accomplished by MOSFET switches, and the integrated charge is made available through MOSFET source followers. The tests were conducted at 106 microns, and the radiation on the detectors was confined to a spectral window 1.25 microns wide using a stack of cold filters. At 4.2 K, the highest responsivity was 584 A/W, the noise equivalent power was 1.0 x 10(exp -16) W/square root of Hz, and the read noise was 6100 electrons/sample. A detailed description of the test setup and procedure is presented.

Farhoomand, Jam↗

NASA NTRS1990

Evaluation of a far infrared Ge:Ga multiplexed detector array

The performance of a multielement Ge:Ga linear array under low-background conditions is investigated. On-focal plane switching is accomplished by MOSFET switches and the integrated charge is made available through MOSFET source followers. The tests were conducted at 106 microns and the radiation on the detectors was confined to a spectral window 1.25 microns wide using a stack of cold filters. At 4.2 K, the responsivity was measured to be nominally 584 A/W, and the NEP was 1.0 x 10 exp -16 W/sq rt Hz. A detailed description of the test setup and the procedure is presented.

Farhoomand, Jam↗

NASA NTRS1989

Stable 1.25-W CW Methanol Laser

Far-infrared (FIR) laser operating at 119-micrometer-wavelength transition of methanol achieves very low drift in frequency. Continuous-wave (CW) FIR output is 1.25 W when laser pumped by 125-W commercial CO2 laser. Rate of drift of output frequency less than plus or minus 100 kHz per hour because laser designed to have low thermal-expansion coefficients and because temperatures of input and output couplers held within 0.1 degree C of fixed values.

Farhoomand, Jam↗

NASA NTRS1988

A stable, high power optically pumped far infrared laser system

The generation of 1.25 watts of CW laser power at the 119-micron (2522.8 GHz) methanol line is reported. The maximum frequency fluctuation of the free running laser is less than + or - 100 kHz per hour. This laser has also been tested on numerous other lines ranging from 403.7 GHz (HCOOH) to 5260 GHz (CH3OD) with improved power and stability.

Farhoomand, Jam↗

NASA NTRS1987

Method and means for generation of tunable laser sidebands in the far-infrared region

A method for generating tunable far-infrared radiation is described. The apparatus includes a Schottky-barrier diode which has one side coupled through a conductor to a waveguide that carries a tunable microwave frequency; the diode has an opposite side which is coupled through a radiating whisker to a bias source. Infrared light is directed at the diode, and infrared light with tunable sidebands is radiated by the whisker through an open space to a reflector. The original infrared is separated from a tunable infrared sideband by a polarizing Michelson interferometer.

Pickett, Herbert M.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Stable 1.25 watts CW far infrared laser radiation at the 119 micron methanol line

Far-infrared CW radiation of 1.25 watts has been obtained at the 119 micron methanol line with a CO2 pump power of 125 watts, and the maximum frequency fluctuation of the free running laser is measured to be less than + or - 100 kHz per hour. Reflecting optics have been used, when possible, to minimize CO2 degradation, and the frequency stability is ensured by cooling the input and output couplers. The input and output assemblies within the lasing medium are enclosed to minimize the external effects on the cavity length and to eliminate the mechanical instabilities associated with the use of bellows. The vibrational bottle-neck is broken by cooling the resonator wall to 5 deg and adding He as the buffer gas.

Farhoomand, Jam↗