Innovative SiC ultraviolet instrumentation development with potential applications for the Habitable Worlds Observatory

TL;DR

This paper reports on the development of novel silicon carbide ultraviolet detectors aimed at enhancing the sensitivity of instruments for space observatories like the Habitable Worlds Observatory, with progress in fabrication, testing, and simulation.

Contribution

It introduces advancements in SiC UV detector technology, including fabrication, testing, and integration methods, for potential use in space-based observatories.

Findings

Successful testing of pixel design and properties.

Achievement of desired noise and responsivity characteristics.

Potential application in HWO instruments for exoplanet observation.

Abstract

In this paper, we detail recent and current work that is being carried out to fabricate and advance novel SiC UV instrumentation that is aimed at enabling more sensitive measurements across numerous disciplines, with a short discussion of the promise such detectors may hold for the Habitable Worlds Observatory. We discuss SiC instrument development progress that is being carried out under multiple NASA grants, including several PICASSO and SBIR grants, as well as an ECI grant. Testing of pixel design, properties and layout as well as maturation of the integration scheme developed through these efforts provide key technology and engineering advancement for potential HWO detectors. Achieving desired noise characteristics, responsivity, and validating operation of SiC detectors using standard read out techniques offers a compelling platform for operation of denser and higher dimensionality SiC photodiode arrays of interest for use in potential HWO Coronagraph, Spectrograph, and High Resolution Imaging Instruments. We incorporate these SiC detector properties into a simulation of potential NUV exoplanet observations by HWO using SiC detectors and also discuss potential application to HWO.