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Snowmass Topical Group Summary Report: IF04 -- Trigger and Data Acquisition Systems

A trend for future high energy physics experiments is an increase in the data bandwidth produced from the detectors. Datasets of the Petabyte scale have already become the norm, and the requirements of future experiments -- greater in size, exposure, and complexity -- will further push the limits of data acquisition technologies to data rates of exabytes per seconds. The challenge for these future data-intensive physics facilities lies in the reduction of the flow of data through a combination of sophisticated event selection in the form of high-performance triggers and improved data representation through compression and calculation of high-level quantities. These tasks must be performed with low-latency (i.e. in real-time) and often in extreme environments including high radiation, high magnetic fields, and cryogenic temperatures.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Snowmass Topical Group Summary Report: IF04 -- Trigger and Data Acquisition Systems

A trend for future high energy physics experiments is an increase in the data bandwidth produced from the detectors. Datasets of the Petabyte scale have already become the norm, and the requirements of future experiments -- greater in size, exposure, and complexity -- will further push the limits of data acquisition technologies to data rates of exabytes per seconds. The challenge for these future data-intensive physics facilities lies in the reduction of the flow of data through a combination of sophisticated event selection in the form of high-performance triggers and improved data representation through compression and calculation of high-level quantities. These tasks must be performed with low-latency (i.e. in real-time) and often in extreme environments including high radiation, high magnetic fields, and cryogenic temperatures.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Infrared telescope on Spacelab 2

The infrared telescope (IRT) on Spacelab 2 which will be the first cryogenically cooled telescope operated from the Orbiter is discussed. Its objectives are to measure the induced environment about the Orbiter and to demonstrate the ability to manage a large volume of superfluid helium in space. The prime astrophysical objectives are to map extended sources of low surface brightness infrared emission, including the zodiacal light, the galactic plane, and extragalactic regions. The IRT design is described, including the f/4 15.2 cm highly baffled Herschelian telescope cooled to 8 K which may scan to within 35 deg of the sun. The focal plane cooled to 3 K consists of nine discrete photoconductors covering the wavelength of 4.5-120 microns in five bands, with a single stellar detector used for aspect determination. Overlapping scans, contiguous orbits, and a six degree per second scan rate permit rapid redundant coverage of 60 % of the sky.

Koch, D.↗

Design of MARCO, the New Solenoidal Detector Magnet for the ePIC Experiment at BNL

MARCO is the new superconducting solenoid for ePIC, the general-purpose detector capable of delivering the full scientific scope of the Electron-Ion Collider at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Here, this 3.84 m long solenoid, with a bore diameter of 2.84 m, will provide a magnetic field of 2.0 T at the center with a nominal current of 4 kA at 4.5 K, for a total stored energy of 45 MJ. Its conductor is a NbTi Rutherford in Copper Channel (RICC), specially designed to stand the high mechanical loads induced by the magnetic field. Its copper stabilizer will assure the protection in case of quench. The coils are wound into six layers inside a thin external mandrel in brass, with a triple role of mechanical reinforcement, cryogenic support for the thermosiphon circuit and quench-back propagator. With a cold mass average radial thickness of just 7 cm, the magnet fulfills all the criterions of transparency for the particles directed to the hadronic calorimeter forecast around the cryostat. In this paper, the design of MARCO is presented, with a specific focus on the magnetic and quench analysis.

Calvelli, Valerio [Commissariat a l'Energie Atomiq↗

Superconducting bearings for application in cryogenic experiments in space

Linear superconducting magnetic bearings suitable for use in a proposed orbital equivalence principle experiment and for general application in space were developed and tested. Current flows in opposite directions in adjacent superconducting wires arranged parallel to the axis of a cylinder. This configuration provides maximum stiffness radially while allowing the test mass to move freely along the cylinder axis. In a space application, the wires are extended to cover the entire perimeter of the cylinder: for the earth-based tests it was desirable to use only the bottom half. Control of the axial position of the test mass is by small control coils which may be positioned inside or outside the main bearing. The design is suitable for application to other geometries where maximum stiffness is desired. A working model scaled to operate in a 1-g environment was perfected approximate solutions for the bearings were developed. A superconducting transformer method of charging the magnets for the bearing, and a position detector based on a SQUID magnetometer and associated superconducting circuit were also investigated.

Everitt, C. W. F.↗

Cryogenic telescope on the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS)

The Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) has completed an unbiased all-sky survey at wavelengths from 10 to 100 microns. The design and performance of the focal plane array is described with emphasis on in-orbit measurements of the sensitivity and stability. In the four broad spectral bands centered at 12, 25, 60, and 100 microns, the system noise equivalent flux density (NEFD) values are in Jy/(Square root of Hz), 0.03, 0.025, 0.046, and 0.21, respectively (Jansky = 10 to the -26th W/sq m/Hz). For point sources, a single scan at the survey rate of 3.8 arcmin/s yields limiting flux densities at the 3-sigma confidence level of 0.36, 0.30, 0.39, and 1.2 Jy. The dc stability of the junction field effect transistor (JFET) amplifiers and the excellent off-axis rejection of the telescope permit total flux measurements of extended infrared emission at levels below 6,000,000 Jy/sr. Response of the extrinsic silicon and germanium photo-detectors to ionizing radiation is described.

Low, F. J.↗

Upcoming planetary missions and the applicability of high temperature superconductor bolometers

Planetary missions to Mars and beyond can last 11 years and longer, making impractical the use of stored cryogens. Passive radiative coolers and single-stage mechanical coolers remain possibilities. CRAF and CASSINI, both using the newly developed Mariner Mark 2 spacecraft, will be the next outer planet missions after Galileo; they are intended to provide information on the origin and evolution of the solar system. CRAF is a cometary rendezvous mission slated for a 1994 launch. CASSINI has been chosen by ESA and will be launched by a Titan 4/Centaur in 1996. It will fly by Jupiter in 2000, inject an ESA-supplied probe into Titan in 2002, and take data in Saturn orbit from 2002 to 2006. NASA/Goddard is currently developing a prototype Fourier transform spectrometer (CIRS) that will be proposed for the CASSINI mission. The baseline infrared detectors for CIRS are HgCdTe to 16 microns and Schwarz-type thermopiles from 16 to 1000 microns. The far infrared focal plane could be switched from thermopiles to high temperature superconductor (HTS) bolometers between now and 1996. An HTS bolometer could be built using the kinetic inductance effect, or the sharp resistance change at the transition. The transition-edge bolometer is more straightforward to implement and initial efforts at NASA/Goddard are directed to that device. A working device was made and tested in early 1989. It also has somewhat elevated noise levels below 100 Hz. Upcoming efforts will center on reducing the time constant of the HTS bolometer by attempting to deposit an HTS film on a diamond substrate, and by thinning SrTiO3 substrates. Attempts will be made to improve the film quality to reduce th 1/f noise level, and to improve the thermal isolation to increase the bolometer sensitivity. An attempt is being made to deposit good-quality HTS films on diamond films using an MOCVD technique.

Brasunas, J.↗

Advanced Components for Spaceborne Infrared Astronomy

Basic improvements in the technology of low noise read-out systems for low background detectors were demonstrated. Using discrete JFET integrating amplifiers at their optimum temperature of 55 K, read noise less than 7.5 electrons in 128 seconds of integration was obtained. Two models of single channel integrators are now available, the JF-77 for use between 50 and 80 K and the JF-4 for lower temperatures. A 1 x 15 linear array of complete integrators on a single integrated circuit was developed and will be made available in the near future. The successful operation of a superconducting stepper motor was demonstrated. The motor shows a three fold increase in torque over conventional motors operating at room temperature. The success of the motor stems from the use of superconducting coils in conjunction with developments in bearings for cryogenic use, rare-earth rotors, and motor cooling techniques. The current state of development will allow the rapid development of motors optimized for specific applications. An electronic switch capable of resetting cooled JFET integrating amplifiers was developed. The JFET integrating amplifiers that use this switch have demonstrated read noise of less than 10 electrons. The JFET reset device exhibits an extremely high open impedance and low leakage current. Capacitance is sufficiently low so as not to impair amplifier sensitivity. The effects of transient switching charges are minimized by a compensation technique and variable transient current problems inherent to devices of this type are overcome by external circuity.

Davidson, Arnold W.↗

Upcoming planetary missions and the applicability of high temperature superconductor bolometers

Planetary missions to Mars and beyond can last 11 years and longer, making impractical the use of stored cryogens. Passive radiative coolers and single-stage mechanical coolers remain possibilities. Cassini and Comet Rendezvous/Asteroid Fly-by (CRAF), both using the newly developed Mariner Mark 2 spacecraft, will be the next outer planet missions after Galileo; they are intended to provide information on the origin and evolution of the solar system. CRAF is slated for a 1994 launch. Cassini was chosen by ESA and will be launched by a Titan 4/Centaur in 1996. It will fly by Jupiter in 2000, inject an ESA-supplied probe into Titan in 2002, and take data in Saturn's orbit from 2002 to 2006. NASA/Goddard is currently developing a prototype Fourier transform spectrometer, the Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS), for the Cassini mission. The baseline infrared detectors for CIRS are HgCdTe to 16 microns and Schwarz-type thermopiles from 16 to 1000 microns. The far infrared focal plane could be switched from thermopiles to high temperature superconductor (HTS) bolometers between now and 1996. An HTS bolometer could be built using the kinetic inductance effect, or the sharp resistance change at the transition. The transition-edge bolometer is more straightforward to implement, and initial efforts at NASA/Goddard are directed to that device. A working device was made and tested in early 1989. It also has somewhat elevated noise levels below 100 Hz. Upcoming efforts will center on reducing the time constant of the HTS bolometer by attempting to deposit an HTS film on a diamond substrate, and by thinning SrTiO3 substrates. Attempts will be made to improve the film quality to reduce the 1/4 noise level, and to improve the thermal isolation to increase the bolometer sensitivity. An attempt is being made to deposit good-quality HTS films on diamond films using a metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) technique.

Brasunas, J.↗

NASA Tech Briefs, January 2010

Topics covered include: Cryogenic Flow Sensor; Multi-Sensor Mud Detection; Gas Flow Detection System; Mapping Capacitive Coupling Among Pixels in a Sensor Array; Fiber-Based Laser Transmitter for Oxygen A-Band Spectroscopy and Remote Sensing; Low-Profile, Dual-Wavelength, Dual-Polarized Antenna; Time-Separating Heating and Sensor Functions of Thermistors in Precision Thermal Control Applications; Cellular Reflectarray Antenna; A One-Dimensional Synthetic-Aperture Microwave Radiometer; Electrical Switching of Perovskite Thin-Film Resistors; Two-Dimensional Synthetic-Aperture Radiometer; Ethernet-Enabled Power and Communication Module for Embedded Processors; Electrically Variable Resistive Memory Devices; Improved Attachment in a Hybrid Inflatable Pressure Vessel; Electrostatic Separator for Beneficiation of Lunar Soil; Amorphous Rover; Space-Frame Antenna; Gear-Driven Turnbuckle Actuator; In-Situ Focusing Inside a Thermal Vacuum Chamber; Space-Frame Lunar Lander; Wider-Opening Dewar Flasks for Cryogenic Storage; Silicon Oxycarbide Aerogels for High-Temperature Thermal Insulation; Supercapacitor Electrolyte Solvents with Liquid Range Below -80 C; Designs and Materials for Better Coronagraph Occulting Masks; Fuel-Cell-Powered Vehicle with Hybrid Power Management; Fine-Water-Mist Multiple-Orientation-Discharge Fire Extinguisher; Fuel-Cell Water Separator; Turbulence and the Stabilization Principle; Improved Cloud Condensation Nucleus Spectrometer; Better Modeling of Electrostatic Discharge in an Insulator; Sub-Aperture Interferometers; Terahertz Mapping of Microstructure and Thickness Variations; Multiparallel Three-Dimensional Optical Microscopy; Stabilization of Phase of a Sinusoidal Signal Transmitted Over Optical Fiber; Vacuum-Compatible Wideband White Light and Laser Combiner Source System; Optical Tapers as White-Light WGM Resonators; EPR Imaging at a Few Megahertz Using SQUID Detectors; Reducing Field Distortion in Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Fluorogenic Cell-Based Biosensors for Monitoring Microbes; A Constant-Force Resistive Exercise Unit; GUI to Facilitate Research on Biological Damage from Radiation; On-Demand Urine Analyzer; More-Realistic Digital Modeling of a Human Body; and Advanced Liquid-Cooling Garment Using Highly Thermally Conductive Sheets.

Source record↗

Compact Focal Plane Assembly for Planetary Science

A compact radiometric focal plane assembly (FPA) has been designed in which the filters are individually co-registered over compact thermopile pixels. This allows for construction of an ultralightweight and compact radiometric instrument. The FPA also incorporates micromachined baffles in order to mitigate crosstalk and low-pass filter windows in order to eliminate high-frequency radiation. Compact metal mesh bandpass filters were fabricated for the far infrared (FIR) spectral range (17 to 100 microns), a game-changing technology for future planetary FIR instruments. This fabrication approach allows the dimensions of individual metal mesh filters to be tailored with better than 10- micron precision. In contrast, conventional compact filters employed in recent missions and in near-term instruments consist of large filter sheets manually cut into much smaller pieces, which is a much less precise and much more labor-intensive, expensive, and difficult process. Filter performance was validated by integrating them with thermopile arrays. Demonstration of the FPA will require the integration of two technologies. The first technology is compact, lightweight, robust against cryogenic thermal cycling, and radiation-hard micromachined bandpass filters. They consist of a copper mesh supported on a deep reactive ion-etched silicon frame. This design architecture is advantageous when constructing a lightweight and compact instrument because (1) the frame acts like a jig and facilitates filter integration with the FPA, (2) the frame can be designed so as to maximize the FPA field of view, (3) the frame can be simultaneously used as a baffle for mitigating crosstalk, and (4) micron-scale alignment features can be patterned so as to permit high-precision filter stacking and, consequently, increase the filter bandwidth and sharpen the out-of-band rolloff. The second technology consists of leveraging, from another project, compact and lightweight Bi0.87Sb0.13/Sb arrayed thermopiles. These detectors consist of 30-layer thermopiles deposited in series upon a silicon nitride membrane. At 300 K, the thermopile arrays are highly linear over many orders of magnitude of incident IR power, and have a reported specific detectivity that exceeds the requirements imposed on future mission concepts. The bandpass filter array board is integrated with a thermopile array board by mounting both boards on a machined aluminum jig.

Brown, Ari↗

5,120 Superconducting Bolometers for the PIPER Balloon-Borne CMB Polarization Experiment

We are constructing the Primordial Inflation Polarization Explorer (PIPER) to measure the polarization of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) and search for the imprint of gravity waves produced during an inflationary epoch in the early universe. The signal is faint and lies behind confusing foregrounds, both astrophysical and cosmological, and so many detectors are required to complete the measurement in a limited time. We will use four of our matured 1,280 pixel, high-filling-factor backshort-under-grid bolometer arrays for efficient operation at the PIPER CMB wavelengths. All four arrays observe at a common wavelength set by passband filters in the optical path. PIPER will fly four times to observe at wavelengths of 1500, 1100, 850, and 500 microns in order to separate CMB from foreground emission. The arrays employ leg-isolated superconducting transition edge sensor bolometers operated at 145 mK; tuned resonant backshorts for efficient optical coupling; and a second-generation superconducting quantum interference device multiplexer readout. We describe the design, development, and performance of PIPER bolometer array technology to achieve background-limited sensitivity for a cryogenic balloon-borne telescope.

Benford, Dominic J.↗

Standoff Detection of Chemical Plumes Using Swept-ECQCL Remote Detection Technology: Results from EMRTC Complex Terrain Dual Tracer Experiment

As part of the Complex Terrain Dual Tracer Experiments performed in support of the LYNM program, a swept-wavelength external cavity quantum cascade laser (swept-ECQCL) remote detection system was deployed to measure chemical plume propagation with high temporal resolution. The swept-ECQCL remote detection technology was initially developed at PNNL, and is now under further development at Opticslah, LLC under SBIR funding from DOE (DOE SBIR Phase I Project DE-SC0019855, Remote Detection Technologies, Program Manager Chris Ramos). The swept-ECQCL technology provides a single-frequency infrared laser source which is rapidly scanned over a large wavelength range to measure the infrared absorption of gases, liquids, or solids. Analysis of the measured infrared absorption spectrum is used to detect, identify, and quantify the chemical species which are present. While most previous laser-based techniques used small wavelength tuning ranges to measure only a few isolated spectral lines of a few species, the swept-ECQCL provides the large tuning range needed to measure multiple species simultaneously, and to detect broad absorption features from large molecules or condensed phase materials. In addition, the swept-ECQCL systems have high enough spectral resolution and sensitivity to measure narrow lines of small molecules and determine isotope ratios. The remote detection system for gas plumes is based on the swept-ECQCL technology, and consists of a swept-ECQCL source, infrared detector, control electronics, and beam transmitting and alignment optics. The remote detection system directs the infrared output of the swept-ECQCL to a target retro reflector typically located at ~10-10,000 m distance. The swept-ECQCL wavelength is varied continuously over a large wavelength range (>1000 nm) at rates up to 1000 Hz. The swept ECQCL light reflected from the remote target is collected and focused onto an infrared photodetector. By measuring the detector signal continuously as the swept-ECQCL wavelength is varied, a time-series of absorption spectra are measured for the gases along the beam line of-sight. Based on analysis and fitting of the measured absorption spectra, the time-dependent chemical concentrations of species are determined. Multiple species and mixtures can be detected simultaneously, for all species with absorption features above the sensor noise floor. The sensor output is thus a continuous, high-speed record of identified chemicals along with their concentrations and isotope ratios of interest. The high-speed operation enables low-noise operation in conditions of atmospheric turbulence and allows tracking of fluctuating concentrations in transient chemical plumes as needed for reliable remote detection applications. All components operate with minimal cooling requirements and no cryogens are needed. In addition, the output infrared light is invisible with an intensity below the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) threshold of 100 mW/cm2 for these infrared wavelengths and thus eye safe. The measurement concept for plume detection using the swept-ECQCL remote detection system is as follows. The ECQCL beam is directed toward a remote retro-reflector, which reflects the beam back to the ECQCL system where it is focused onto an infrared photodetector. The line-of-sight from the ECQCL system to the retro-reflector defines the measurement path. The detected infrared signal is recorded continuously and detects the absorption of molecular species along the measurement path. Before a plume release, the system measures absorption from atmospheric constituents, which in this LWIR band consist primarily of lines from H 2 O and CO 2 , with additional weaker absorption from N 2 O, NH 3 , and O 3 possibly contributing. The system then measures any changes in absorption due to the tracer compounds when they enter the measurement path. The shape of absorption features is used to distinguish and identify the different tracer compounds, and the strength of the absorption is used to determine the path-integrated concentration – also called the column density.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

5,120 Superconducting Bolometers for the PIPER Balloon-Borne CMB Polarization Experiment

We are constructing the Primordial Inflation Polarization Explorer (PIPER) to measure the polarization o[ the cosmic microwave background (CMB) and search for the imprint of gravity waves produced during an inflationary epoch in the early universe. The signal is faint and lies behind confusing foregrounds, both astrophysical and cosmological, and so many detectors are required to complete the measurement in a limited time. We will use four of our matured 1,280 pixel, high-filling-factor backshort-under-grid bolometer arrays for efficient operation at the PIPER CMB wavelengths. All four arrays observe at a common wavelength set by passband filters in the optical path. PIPER will fly four times to observe at wavelengths of 1500, 1100, 850, and 500 microns in order to separate CMB from foreground emission. The arrays employ leg-isolated superconducting transition edge sensor bolometers operated at 128mK; tuned resonant backshorts for efficient optical coupling; and a second-generation superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) multiplexer readout. We describe the design, development, and performance of PIPER bo|ometer array technology to achieve background-limited sensitivity for a cryogenic balloon-borne telescope.

Benford, Dominic J.↗

The Experiment for Cryogenic Large-Aperture Intensity Mapping (EXCLAIM)

The EXperiment for Cryogenic Large-Aperture Intensity Mapping (EXCLAIM) is a cryogenic balloon-borne instrument which will survey galaxy and star formation history over cosmological time scales. Rather than identifying individual objects, EXCLAIM will be a pathfinder to demonstrate an intensity mapping approach, which measures the cumulative redshifted line emission. EXCLAIM will operate at 420-540 GHz with a spectral resolution R=512 to measure the integrated CO and [CII] in redshift windows spanning \exclaimz. CO and [CII] line emissions are key tracers of the gas phases in the interstellar medium involved in star-formation processes. EXCLAIM will shed light on questions such as why the star formation rate declines at z < 2, despite continued clustering of the dark matter. The instrument will employ an array of six superconducting integrated grating-analog spectrometers (µ-Spec) coupled to microwave kinetic inductance detectors (MKIDs). Here we present an overview of the EXCLAIM instrument design and status.

Instrumentation and Photography↗

High-Density Superconducting Cables for Advanced ACTPol

Advanced ACTPol (AdvACT) is an upcoming Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) receiver upgrade, scheduled to deploy in 2016, that will allow measure- ment of the cosmic microwave background polarization and temperature to the highest precision yet with ACT. The AdvACT increase in sensitivity is partly provided by an increase in the number of transition-edge sensors (TESes) per array by up to a factor of two over the current ACTPol receiver detector arrays. The high-density AdvACT TES arrays require 70 μ m pitch superconducting flexible cables (flex) to connect the detec- tor wafer to the first-stage readout electronics. Here, we present the flex fabrication process and test results. For the flex wiring layer, we use a 400-nm-thick sputtered alu- minum film. In the center of the cable, the wiring is supported by a polyimide substrate, which smoothly transitions to a bare (uncoated with polyimide) silicon substrate at the ends of the cable for a robust wedge wire-bonding interface. Tests on the first batch of flex made for the first AdvACT array show that the flex will meet the requirements for AdvACT, with a superconducting critical current above 1 mA at 500 mK, resilience to mechanical and cryogenic stress, and a room temperature yield of 97%.

transition-edge sensors (TESes)↗

Status of the Micro-X Sounding Rocket X-Ray Spectrometer

Micro-X is a sounding rocket borne X-ray telescope that utilizes transition edge sensors to perform imaging spectroscopy with a high level of energy resolution. Its 2.1m focal length X-ray optic has an effective area of 300 sq cm, a field of view of 11.8 arcmin, and a bandpass of 0.12.5 keV. The detector array has 128 pixels and an intrinsic energy resolution of 4.5 eV FWHM. The integration of the system has progressed with functional tests of the detectors and electronics complete, and performance characterization of the detectors is underway. We present an update of ongoing progress in preparation for the upcoming launch of the instrument.

X-ray astronomy↗

EXCLAIM: A New Balloon Mission to Map the Cosmological History of Galaxies

The EXperiment for Cryogenic Large-Aperture Intensity Mapping (EXCLAIM) is a cryogenic balloon-borne instrument that will survey galaxy and star formation history over cosmological time scales. Rather than identifying individual objects, EXCLAIM will be a pathfinder to demonstrate an intensity mapping approach, which measures the cumulative redshifted line emission. EXCLAIM will operate at 420-540 GHz with a spectral resolution R=512 to measure the integrated CO and [CII] in redshift windows spanning 0 < z < 3.5. CO and [CII] line emissions are key tracers of the gas phases in the interstellar medium involved in star-formation processes. EXCLAIM will shed light on questions such as why the star formation rate declines at z < 2, despite continued clustering of the dark matter. The instrument will employ an array of six superconducting integrated grating-analog spectrometers (micro-spec) coupled to microwave kinetic inductance detectors (MKIDs). I will present an overview of the EXCLAIM instrument design and status.

Eric Switzer↗