Paper 13100-60
Paper 13100-60
Technological developments of NexGen Micro-Shutter Array (NGMSA) for the future Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) flagship mission
18 June 2024 • 15:35 - 15:50 Japan Standard Time | Room G214, North - 2F
Abstract
We present the most up to date advancements in production, design, and performance of the NexGen Micro-Shutter Array (NGMSA) for Multi-object Spectroscopy (MOS), intended for the future Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) Flagship. A microshutter array functions as a programmable slit mask, to generate slits corresponding to sparsely distributed sources in the field of view of a telescope. In contrast to the magnetic/electrostatic microshutter arrays used in the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the NGMSA is fully operated by electrostatics, simplifying overall system. Our small pilot array proved its capability from FORTIS sounding rocket mission in 2019. As we are switching to a larger HWO flight size array process, we encounter multiple processing related issues. Also, there has been individual shutter level issue that impairs operation and performance. We will discuss those problems and strategies to overcome the challenges to achieve an on/off contrast of >1e5 with near 100% shutter operability.
Presenter
NASA Goddard Space Flight Ctr. (United States), Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (United States)
Dr. Kyowon Kim is a Senior Electrical Engineer at Science Systems & Applications Inc., working for Detector Systems Branch at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Kyowon specializes in design and testing of electrical and optical devices and developing test instrument. He has been working for Next Generation Microshutter Array project more than 7 years and currently leading the testing team. Over his carrier at NASA, he made several critical contributions including an effective actuation test system, driver electronics, and an accurate electrostatic simulation model. His recently developed automated microshutter actuation test system is a breakthrough innovation for the project that enabled intensive large-scale actuation test and device characterization which used to be impossible. Also, his electrostatic simulation provided the project a new path for improved device designs. He received the Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Maryland, College Park.