Technology Priority Theme
Published in the AITC News
Vol0 Issue2 28 September–27 October 2020
Image courtesy of Michael Rymer on Flickr
Remote sensing: recent press for our DMTC/HASS (High Altitude Sensor System) program, the CHICO project (a hyperspectral imaging satellite program for water), has generated interest across the Defence sector, with the Space Agency and surprisingly with a group representing Australian Aquaculture. While the team was not initially enthusiastic about fish-poop spectroscopy, it turns out it’s big business. Seems like press releases and public relations might be valuable tools after all – who knew!
Low noise: The Leonardo 1k SAPHIRA detectors, in part funded via the UK Centre for Earth Observation Instrumentation (UK CEOI) recently arrived in the lab for testing. The four engineering grade devices are being checked-out electrically before being cooled for cryogenic testing. If the devices work as we expect, they will change the way we deliver low-background near-infrared spectroscopy. Indeed one of the devices will hopefully be deployed as part of the ASPECT spectrograph (ARC-LIEF 2021), in a refitted IRIS2 for testing at the AAT.
Cold start: After a minor wobble during the recent election caretaker mode (it’s hard to find people that can sign things apaprantly), the ACT Government Priority Investment Program (PIP) has funded a significant upgrade to the Detector labs testing infrastructure. The Space Detector Test Facility (SDTF) upgrade will add a cryogenic focal plane (and intermediate pupil) relay to the existing test infrastructure, as well as tuneable and calibrated light sources for all aspects of cryogenic testing of optical components and detectors.
Hot off the press: Funding has been secured, via the AAT Continuity of Service fund”, to begin collaboration with ESO on the development of the NGC-II detector controller, with a view to deploying these systems across the AAT and Siding Spring in future years. The funding will initially cover 1 FTE of AITC engineering effort to design and prototype a fanless enclosure for the electronics. This is the first step in what could be a valuable partnership between Australia and ESO in the area of astronomical detector systems. The NGC-II will be the standard controller for future VLT and ELT instruments, including MAVIS.
