Calibration of a spectral imager with a widely tunable radiance source

A spectral imager is calibrated for radiance with an uncertainty < 1 % using an SI-traceable narrow-band tunable radiance source, which is based on an optical parametric oscillator and an integrating sphere.

Calibration of a CubeSat spectroradiometer with a narrow-band widely tunable radiance source

We have developed an SI-traceable narrow-band tunable radiance source based on an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) and an integrating sphere for the calibration of spectroradiometers. The source is calibrated with a reference detector over the ultraviolet/visible spectral range with an uncertainty of < 1%. As a case study, a CubeSat spectro...

Absolute Radiometric Reference Instrument (ARRI)

The cheapest method for an instrument to perform radiometric monitoring in orbit is to compare its radiometric response from a scene to the known radiance of that same scene. This is known as vicarious calibration. The known radiance of this scene comes mostly from other space instruments. The limiting factors of this vicarious calibration...

In-orbit characterization of the ISRF

Recent Earth Observation instruments require a highly accurate knowledge of their Instrument Spectral Response Function (ISRF). This translates into lengthy and costly characterisation programs during the Assembly, Integration, and Test phase of the instrument. In addition, potential changes of ISRF after launch suggests to use an on-board...

Development of an efficient, highly uniform Sun Simulator for optical space instrument calibration

In space Earth Observation related projects, Sun Simulators are regular used for on-ground calibrations of the flight instruments. Instrument radiometric calibration is established by illuminating the on-board diffuser(s) via the Sun port in irradiance configuration and an external OGSE calibrated diffuser for the radiance configuration via the...

Entanglement between Nitrogen-Vacancy spin in diamond and Telecom frequency photon

We experimentally demonstrate the preservation of entanglement between an NV spin and a photon upon quantum frequency conversion to the Telecom band. This is a crucial step in realizing long-distance quantum networks.

Entanglement between a Diamond Spin Qubit and a Photonic Time-Bin Qubit at Telecom Wavelength

We report on the realization and verification of quantum entanglement between a nitrogen-vacancy electron spin qubit and a telecom-band photonic qubit. First we generate entanglement between the spin qubit and a 637 nm photonic time-bin qubit, followed by photonic quantum frequency conversion that transfers the entanglement to a 1588 nm photon....

Traceable radiance source for spectroradiometer calibration

SI traceable calibration of satellite instruments like spectroradiometers get increasingly important in space-based observation for various reasons. First, requirements on measurements in terms of accuracy, dynamic range and wavelength range get increasingly demanding. Second, long term observations require SI traceability for comparability of...

Radiometric calibration of the gome-2 instrument

The Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment-2(GOME-2) represents one of the European instruments carried on board the MetOp satellite within the ESA’s “Living Planet Program”. Consisting of three flight models (FM’s) it is intended to provide long-term monitoring of atmospheric ozone and other trace gases over a time frame of 15–20 years, thus...

On-ground Re-Calibration of the GOME-2 satellite spectrometer series

The Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment-2[1] (GOME-2) represents one of the European instruments carried on board the MetOp satellite within the ESA’s “Living Planet Program”. Consisting of three flight models (FM’s) it is intended to provide long-term monitoring of atmospheric ozone and other trace gases over a time frame of 15-20 years, thus...

Development of IR single mode optical fibers for DARWIN-nulling interferometry

The DARWIN mission aims to detect weak infra-red emission lines from distant orbiting earth-like planets using nulling interferometry. This requires filtering of wavefront errors using single mode waveguides operating at a wavelength range of 6.5-20 μm. This article describes the optical design of the fibers, the manufacturing protocol, the...

Development of infrared single-mode fibers for 2 wavelength bands of the Darwin mission: Test results of prototypes

Various space telescope array systems are being considered to investigate other terrestrial planets orbiting around nearby stars in order to find extra-terrestrial life. One of them is the DARWIN mission of the European Space Agency (ESA). The required technology is the nulling interferometer. The challenge of nulling is making the null in the...