Cryogenic Systems for Instruments

Cryogenic cooling systems are essential for the advancement of NASA's science goals. Cryogenic cooling is required for telescopes and other instruments that detect electromagnetic radiation in the sub-mm through near-infrared wavelength band, as well as ultra-sensitive detectors for sub-mm through x-ray photons. Thus, cryogenics is an essential part of many advanced NASA missions in Astrophysics, Earth Science, and solar system exploration. Development of miniature, low power cryogenic coolers will enhance the science capability of SmallSats and CubeSats for Earth and Lunar observations, including swarm arrays of SmallSats for high-resolution remote sensing. They also enhance the capability of small in-situ instruments on landers and rovers. Additionally, quantum mechanical behavior becomes more readily apparent at low temperatures. Many of the devices currently under development for manipulation of quantum states, such as quantum memory, require cryogenic temperatures. Thus, cryogenics will likely be necessary for future on-orbit quantum communication and sensing systems. This SBIR subtopic seeks ideas to improve cryogenic cooling systems that cover a broad range of temperatures. At the higher cryogenic temperature range (> 20 K), smaller, lower power devices are emphasized. Such coolers would enable new capability, such as near and mid-IR instruments on SmallSats and CubeSats for Earth and Lunar observations, as well as on instruments for outer planet missions, where power budgets are tightly constrained. In the low temperature range (10 K > T > 4 K), improved cryocoolers are needed primarily for astrophysics, for cooling of far and mid-IR optics and for cooling sensitive detectors. In the very low temperature range (T < 4 K), advances in magnetic coolers enable the use of large arrays of ultra - sensitive superconducting detectors. While these detectors are primarily needed for astrophysics, quantum communication applications are also a growing area of interest. The subtopic also seeks ideas for related cryogenic technologies, including: Advanced heat transport technologies to efficiently cool remotely located detectors, or transport cryocooler waste heat to radiators. This includes reliable solid-state conductors with variable thermal conductance to enable one cryocooler to efficiently cool two or more targets at significantly different temperatures with varying heat inputs Advanced thermal insulation systems Low power dissipation actuators