A software simulator for the SPICA Safari instrument

Abstract

A software simulator that has been developed for the Safari instrument proposed for the SPace Infrared telescope for Cosmology and Astrophysics (SPICA) mission is presented. The simulator can ingest a range of realistic input spectra and, following a thorough radiative transfer analysis, calculates the power reaching the detector as a function of the optical path difference within the interferometer. The simulator is modular in design so that it can be easily modified to ingest test data as they become available. The simulator will not only find use during the design phase of the Safari instrument, but also during ground performance verification campaigns of the flight model. Through validation of the simulator on ground test data, it will be possible to predict accurately the in-orbit performance of the Safari instrument.

Astronomical imaging Fourier spectroscopy at far-infrared wavelengths

“…Full For SAFARI, the state-of-the-art detector performance (SOAP) assumes photoconductor detectors, while the goal performance assumes TES bolometers. [34] resolution spectra (corresponding to σ/∆σ of 2000 at 100 µm) require a 35 mm mechanical displacement of the moving mirror assembly, accomplished in a time of ∼2 minutes. The key specifications of the SAFARI instrument are summarized in Table 3.…”

“…Figure6: Comparison of the measured and predicted performances, defined as the 5-σ spectral line sensitivity attainable in one hour of observing time, of the Herschel-SPIRE, SCUBA-2 FTS-2 and SPICA-SAFARI Mach-Zehnder interferometers. For SAFARI, the state-of-the-art detector performance (SOAP) assumes photoconductor detectors, while the goal performance assumes TES bolometers [34]. …”