Review: Far-Infrared Instrumentation and Technology Development for the Next Decade

Abstract

Far-infrared astronomy has advanced rapidly since its inception in the late 1950's, driven by a maturing technology base and an expanding community of researchers. This advancement has shown that observations at far-infrared wavelengths are important in nearly all areas of astrophysics, from the search for habitable planets and the origin of life, to the earliest stages of galaxy assembly in the first few hundred million years of cosmic history. The combination of a still developing portfolio of technologies, particularly in the field of detectors, and a widening ensemble of platforms within which these technologies can be deployed, means that far-infrared astronomy holds the potential for paradigm-shifting advances over the next decade. In this review, we examine current and future far-infrared observing platforms, including ground-based, sub-orbital, and space-based facilities, and discuss the technology development pathways that will enable and enhance these platforms to best address the challenges facing far-infrared astronomy in the 21st century.

arXiv commentInvited review article, submitted to the Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems. Updated in light of referee reports

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• A 3.5-THz, x6-Harmonic, Single-Ended Schottky Diode Mixer for Frequency Stabilization of Quantum-Cascade Lasers
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• The Role of Terahertz and Far-IR Spectroscopy in Understanding the Formation and Evolution of Interstellar Prebiotic Molecules
• Demonstration of a 1820 channel multiplexer for transition-edge sensor bolometers
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• Applying Energy Absorption Interferometry to THz direct detectors using photomixers
• Modelling the Partially Coherent Behaviour of Few-Mode Far-Infrared Grating Spectrometers
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• Fabrication of phononic filter structures for far-IR/sub-mm detector applications
• Graphene-Insulator-Superconductor junctions as thermoelectric bolometers