We present the most up to date advancements in production, design, and performance of the NexGen Micro-Shutter Array (NGMSA) for Multi-object Spectroscopy (MOS), intended for the future Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) Flagship. A microshutter array functions as a programmable slit mask, to generate slits corresponding to sparsely distributed sources in the field of view of a telescope. In contrast to the magnetic/electrostatic microshutter arrays used in the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the NGMSA is fully operated by electrostatics, simplifying overall system. Our small pilot array proved its capability from the FORTIS sounding rocket mission in 2019. As we are switching to a larger HWO flight size array process, we are encountering multiple processing related issues. Also, there has been individual shutter level issue that impairs operation and performance. We will discuss those problems and strategies to overcome the challenges to achieve an on/off contrast of >1e5 with near 100% shutter operability.
KEYWORDS: Camera shutters, Design and modelling, Ultraviolet radiation, Finite element methods, Fabrication, James Webb Space Telescope, Imaging systems, Vibration, Mirrors, Infrared spectroscopy
The current stage of the project aims to develop a cutting-edge Next-Generation Microshutter Array (NGMSA) device as a spaceflight-qualified field object selector mask for multi-object spectroscopy (MOS). This technological goal is defined by the expectation by the strategic space flight missions large format field selector masks. We present the status of the NGMSA large format arrays from technology readiness level from 3 to 5. The preceding cycle of the development resulted in demonstration of the small format NGMSA technology in the Far-ultraviolet Off Rowland-circle Telescope for Imaging and Spectroscopy (FORTIS) sounding rocket flight. It opened the path to the next stage of the large format arrays. We report on the current status of the arrays fabrication, functional and optical testing, integration and the plans to scalability of the individual devices into the focal plane assembly.
Next-Generation Microshutter Arrays (NGMSA) are customizable multi-aperture spectrograph slit masks manufactured by Goddard Spaceflight Center (GSFC) that have an advanced pure electrical actuation and latching mode, which is considerably more robust than the scanning magnetic actuation and electric latching method used by the first generation MSA devices on JWST’s NIRSpec. These first-generation devices were found to have an average open-to-closed contrast ratio of approximately 66,000 at visible and near-infrared wavelengths (Kutyrev et al. 2008). NGMSA have been baselined in the multi-object UV spectroscopic designs for Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) and other Explorer missions. Consequently, the near-UV contrast of these devices as a function of input focal ratio is of great interest. Here we present an update to the contrast evaluation apparatus first reported in Carter et al. (2021), but with an improved doublet projection and imaging optical train. Overall spherical aberration is considerably reduced, and the analysis of a prototype flight array yields significantly higher contrast than found in that initial work, emphasizing the need for high quality projection and imaging optics for precise contrast measurements. There is a clear monotonically increasing relationship between contrast and f/#. At ratios slower than f/15 we find single slit contrast ratios in excess of 100,000 using Hg emission line source at 1849 and 2537 Å and with a narrowband filtered continuum D2 lamp at 3004 Å. The contrast using a 2214 Å filter with the D2 lamp was somewhat lower (⪆ 60,000) but may have contributions from chromatic aberration in the quartz optics and out-of-band leakage in the interference filters. Requirements for enabling the measurement of NGMSA contrast in the vacuum ultraviolet below approximately 1800 Å are addressed.
KEYWORDS: James Webb Space Telescope, Spectroscopy, Camera shutters, Telescopes, Space telescopes, Astronomical imaging, Staring arrays, Spectrographs, Rockets, Prototyping
We are presenting the result of the microshutter arrays for multi-object spectroscopy. Microshutter arrays are MEMS technology devices that are 2D programmable field masks for object selection in the sparsely populated fields. This next generation microshutters are based on the first generation of the microshutter arrays developed for the James Webb Space Telescope Near-Infrared Spectrometer (JWST NIRSpec) we developed new fabrication process that allowed to build fully electrostatic microshutter arrays. The microshutter arrays based on this new development have been successfully demonstrated in the FORTIS project sounding rocket flight. We are currently in the process of expanding the fabrication process to large format microshutter arrays designed for the use on the future NASA flagship missions such as HabEx and LUVOIR.
Microshutter arrays are powerful tools enabling simultaneous spectroscopy of multiple objects within a single, crowded field-of-view. This technology is currently employed on the James Webb Space Telescope, and next-generation arrays are being proposed for future flagship missions such as LUVOIR and HabEx. For these future large missions, it is important to fully characterize the performance of the next-generation microshutter arrays in the lab, particularly in the ultraviolet range not probed with JWST. To this end, we have developed a laboratory testbed to measure the contrast between opened and closed shutters achievable with these devices.
KEYWORDS: James Webb Space Telescope, Camera shutters, Space operations, Astronomical imaging, Space telescopes, Telescopes, Spectroscopy, Spectrographs, Staring arrays, Prototyping
We are developing a 2D programmable field masks for Mutli-Object Spectroscopy (MOS) in sparsely populated fields. The device is based on the microshutter array MEMS technology originally developed for JWST NIRSpec. A new fabrication process has been developed to actuate microshutter arrays electrostatically thus eliminating the need for the macroscopic mechanisms and improving the reliability and robustness of the device. The microshutters, made with silicon nitride membranes with a shutter pitch size of 100 μm x 200 μm, rotate on narrow torsion bars. The microshutters are actuated, latched, and addressed electrostatically by applying voltages to the electrodes on the microshutters and the adjacent walls of the array support grid. We have demonstrated the fabrication and operation of the pilot arrays and produced an integrated flight unit that was successfully used on the FORTIS (Far-UV Off Rowland-circle Telescope for Imaging and Spectroscopy) project for suborbital flight in 2019.
KEYWORDS: Camera shutters, James Webb Space Telescope, Space telescopes, Optical fabrication, Magnetism, Telescopes, Microelectromechanical systems, Silicon, Aerospace engineering, Astronomical imaging
Microshutter array (MSA) subsystems were developed at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center as multiobject selectors for the Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) instrument on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The subsystem will enable NIRSpec to simultaneously obtain spectra from >100 targets, which, in turn, increases instrument efficiency 100-fold. This system represents one of the three major innovations on the JWST that is scheduled to be launched in 2018 as the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope. Featuring torsion hinges, light shields, magnetic actuation, and electrostatic latching and addressing, microshutters are designed for the selective transmission of light with high efficiency and contrast. Complete MSA assemblies consisting of 365×171 microshutters were successfully fabricated and tested, and passed a series of critical reviews for programmable 2-D addressing, life tests, and optical contrast tests. At the final stage of the JWST MSA fabrication, we began to develop the next generation microshutter arrays (NGMSA) for future telescopes. These telescopes will require a much larger field of view than JWSTs. We discussed strategies for fabrication of a proof-of-concept NGMSA that will be modular in design and electrostatically actuated. The details of NGMSA development will be discussed in a follow-up paper.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.