SSRC was selected to develop a Detector Evaluation Module (DEM) for the US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). The DEM concept was developed by SSRC in response to a NASA SBIR to support the development of advanced detector technology at the Goddard Space Flight Center. The NAVY is also interested in advanced detector systems and shares similar needs with NASA.
This effort will provide a Turn-key Detector Evaluation Module that will allow NAVY scientists at NRL to evaluate various new detector systems and technologies in a simulated space environment. The SSRC developed DEM can support detector arrays with ultra-high resolution, including 4096 x 4096 pixels and above, to obtain responses to incident photon or particle flux. The system is capable of achieving high vacuum independent of the test facility and can operate detector systems in a space like environment over the expected operating temperature range. Depending on the evaluation needed, the user will be able to control the detector temperatures down to liquid nitrogen temperatures or can investigate survival conditions above 100C. A unique feature requested by the NAVY is that this unit be developed as a portable, ruggedized assembly that can be shipped anywhere via freight systems with minimal setup required after shipping.