The Mid-Infrared Instrument for the James Webb Space Telescope, VIII: The MIRI Focal Plane System

TL;DR

This paper details the design, operation, and performance of the MIRI focal plane system on the James Webb Space Telescope, including detector layout, electronics, data handling, and system anomalies.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive description of the MIRI focal plane system's design, operation, and performance, highlighting unique features and remaining data processing challenges.

Findings

Detailed layout and features of the MIRI detector array and readout circuit

Operational data collection and processing methods for MIRI

Performance summary including identified anomalies and corrections

Abstract

We describe the layout and unique features of the focal plane system for MIRI. We begin with the detector array and its readout integrated circuit (combining the amplifier unit cells and the multiplexer), the electronics, and the steps by which the data collection is controlled and the output signals are digitized and delivered to the JWST spacecraft electronics system. We then discuss the operation of this MIRI data system, including detector readout patterns, operation of subarrays, and data formats. Finally, we summarize the performance of the system, including remaining anomalies that need to be corrected in the data pipeline.