PRIMA: demonstration of a high-efficiency 25-45 μm Linear Variable Filter for PRIMAger

Abstract

Proposed for a late 2031 launch, PRIMA, the Probe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics, closes the gap between JWST and ALMA, offering unprecedented sensitivity and spectroscopic mapping capability in the 24-264 μm range for detailed studies of galactic evolution, planetary atmospheres, and dust-metal dynamics. Onboard PRIMA, the PRIMAger camera operates in the 25-80 μm bands utilizing advanced MKID detector modules for hyperspectral imaging enabled by Linear Variable Filters. This paper presents a graded resonant metal-mesh filter technology, demonstrating very promising efficiency in the short wavelength range. Overcoming dielectric loss limitations, an innovative dual-layer LVF design on thin membranes achieves a transmission of 80-90% at 12 THz. Rigorous electromagnetic modeling, optimization, and position-dependent spectral response measurements validate the filter performance. We present a comprehensive set of simulation and experimental results, including environmental pre-qualification tests, strongly supporting the suitability of this technology for future space applications.

Authors 15

1. Willem Jellema Aachen SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research

   Space Research Organisation Netherlands

   Affiliation as printed

   SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research (Netherlands)

2. M. P. Bruijn Aachen SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research

   Space Research Organisation Netherlands

   Affiliation as printed

   SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research (Netherlands)

3. K. Nagayoshi Aachen SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research

   Space Research Organisation Netherlands

   Affiliation as printed

   SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research (Netherlands)

4. M. Ridder Aachen SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research

   Space Research Organisation Netherlands

   Affiliation as printed

   SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research (Netherlands)

5. Nathalie Q. S. Gorter Aachen SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research

   Space Research Organisation Netherlands

   Affiliation as printed

   SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research (Netherlands)

6. Martin J. Eggens Aachen SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research

   Space Research Organisation Netherlands

   Affiliation as printed

   SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research (Netherlands)

7. Erik van der Meer Aachen SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research

   Space Research Organisation Netherlands

   Affiliation as printed

   SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research (Netherlands)

8. R. Huisman Aachen SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research

   Space Research Organisation Netherlands

   Affiliation as printed

   SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research (Netherlands)

9. Sven Visser Aachen SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research

   Space Research Organisation Netherlands

   Affiliation as printed

   SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research (Netherlands)

10. Sanghati Roy

    Delft University of Technology

    Affiliation as printed

    Technische Univ. Delft (Netherlands)

11. Laure Ciesla

    Laboratoire d’Astrophysique de Marseille

    Affiliation as printed

    Lab. d'Astrophysique de Marseille (France)

12. D. Burgarella

    Laboratoire d’Astrophysique de Marseille

    Affiliation as printed

    Lab. d'Astrophysique de Marseille (France)

13. Marc Sauvage

    Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives · CEA Paris-Saclay - Etablissement de Saclay · CEA Paris-Saclay

    Affiliation as printed

    CEA-Paris-Saclay (France)

14. Charles Darren Dowell

    Jet Propulsion Laboratory

    Affiliation as printed

    Jet Propulsion Lab. (United States)

15. Jason Glenn

    Goddard Space Flight Center

    Affiliation as printed

    NASA Goddard Space Flight Ctr. (United States)