Title :
A DC-coupled, high sensitivity bolometric detector system for the Infrared Telescope in Space
Author :
Devlin, M. ; Lange, A.E. ; Wilbanks, T. ; Sat, S.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Phys., California Univ., Berkeley, CA, USA
Abstract :
The authors report the performance of an AC bridge readout system that has been developed for use on the Infrared Telescope in Space which is scheduled for launch in 1994. The AC bridge readout provides excellent DC stability, allowing observing strategies well-suited to space-borne observations. The ability to modulate the optical signal slowly allows the use of novel highly sensitive, long time-constant bolometers. At 300 mK, the bolometers have an electrical noise equivalent power of 3*10/sup -17/ W/ square root Hz. The total noise of the differential signal, including amplifier noise, is less than 8*10/sup -17/ W/ square root Hz at frequencies as low as 35 mHz.<>
Keywords :
astronomical telescopes; bolometers; bridge instruments; digital readout; infrared astronomy; infrared detectors; photometers; 300 mK; AC bridge readout system; DC stability; Far-Infrared Photometer; IRTS; Infrared Telescope in Space; amplifier noise; differential signal; electrical noise equivalent power; high sensitivity bolometric detector; optical signal; performance; space-borne observations; total noise; Bolometers; Bridges; Detectors; Differential amplifiers; Optical modulation; Optical noise; Optical sensors; Stability; Stimulated emission; Telescopes;
Conference_Titel :
Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference, 1991., Conference Record of the 1991 IEEE
Conference_Location :
Santa Fe, NM, USA
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-0513-2
DOI :
10.1109/NSSMIC.1991.259107
