MCP-based dual band far UV spectrograph with single channel readouts for space use

Abstract

A compact far ultraviolet (FUV) spectrograph has been developed and applied to space observation on a micro-satellite. The dual channel imaging spectrograph utilized two micro-channel plate (MCP) detectors with a single crossed delay line (XDL) anode to record photon arrival events. The unconventional anode design allows for the use of a single set of position encoding electronics for both detector fields, thereby reducing the size, weight, and power of the associated electronics. The ground and on-orbit performance tests verified the successful application of the system for astrophysical observations. In this note, we report the design, the development, and the test results of the system, focusing on the XDL anode system. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.