Newly developed ultraviolet detector for future space missions

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K17773
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Space and upper atmospheric physics
• Research Institution: Japan Aerospace EXploration Agency
• Principal Investigator: Murakami Go 国立研究開発法人宇宙航空研究開発機構, 宇宙科学研究所, 宇宙航空プロジェクト研究員 (50734026)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 検出器 / CMOS / 紫外線 / マイクロチャンネルプレート / 惑星探査 / リモートセンシング / ファイバーオプティクス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The extreme ultraviolet (EUV) telescopes and spectrometers have been used as powerful tools in a variety of space applications, especially in planetary science. However, the conventional detection systems has limitations of resolution and incident count rate. One of the solutions of this issue is using a CMOS imaging sensor. We developed a new CMOS-coupled microchannel plate (MCP) detector for future UV space and planetary missions. It consists of MCPs followed by a phosphor screen, fiber optic plate, and a windowless CMOS. We manufactured a test model of this detector and performed vibration, thermal cycle, and performance tests. Our results indicate that this new type of UV detector can be widely used for future space applications.

Free Research Field

惑星科学