Miniaturized, 9-12 micron heterodyne spectrometer with space qualifiable design featuresA demonstration-prototype CO2-laser heterodyne spectrometer operating at 9-12 microns and suitable for long-term space missions is described and illustrated with extensive diagrams, drawings, photographs, and graphs of test performance data. The spectrometer has total volume 0.63 cu m, mass 30 kg, and power requirement 60-70 W, compatible with miniature-class Space Shuttle experiment payload specifications. It comprises three modules: (1) an optical front end with reflecting optics, a 2-GHz BW HgCdTe photomixer, and a 0-2-GHz 40-dB RF preamplifier; (2) a local oscillator with an RF-excited waveguide CO2 laser, a 75-percent-efficiency RF amplifier, a stepper-driven grating mode selector, and an etalon stabilized for over 30,000 h of use; and (3) an RF-filter-bank spectral-line receiver with a 25-MHz RF channel, 1.6-GHz IF spectral coverage, onboard instrument control, a serial link to the host computer, and highly integrated design.
Document ID
19910045064
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Glenar, D. A. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Mumma, M. J. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Kostiuk, T. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Huffman, H. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Degnan, J. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)