Open AccessCryogenic spectrometer for measuring the far-IR to millimeter-wave absorptivity of cosmic analog dusts
Author(s) -
Thushara Perera,
R. Zhang,
L.-J. Liu,
R. K. Schonert,
Binh Phan,
Sanghyun Nam,
R. Dorsey,
Krystyna Lopez,
Katie North,
C. Ussery,
Rebecca Roesner
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
applied optics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.668
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 2155-3165
pISSN - 1559-128X
DOI - 10.1364/ao.427831
Subject(s) - spectrometer , optics , materials science , full width at half maximum , millimeter , extremely high frequency , analytical chemistry (journal) , physics , chemistry , chromatography
We report on the design, construction, and performance of a custom apparatus built to measure the frequency- and temperature-dependent absorptivity of millimeter-wave light by cosmic analog dusts. We highlight the unique challenges faced as well as a few key innovations that are part of the instrument. Among those is an ultra-compact Fourier transform spectrometer. We have measured its effective frequency range and FWHM resolution to be 150-2100 GHz and ∼45 G H z , respectively. Another innovation is a cold sample positioner whose temperature can be controlled within the range of 3.7-50 K. The use of a pulse-tube cryocooler results in a pulse-synchronous signal that dominates the detector (bolometer) signal. Methods used to address that challenge are also presented.