Abstract
The Background Limited Infrared Submillimeter Spectrometer (BLISS) is an instrument proposed for SPICA, the Japanese–European space-borne telescope mission under study for a possible launch in the next decade. The BLISS concept is a suite of aluminum spectrometer modules totaling ∼10kg cooled to 50mK. Cooling this ambitious instrument with high-duty cycle within the stringent heat-rejection allocations envisioned for SPICA is a challenge. We have developed a solution consisting of two stages: (1) a continuous 300mK intercept stage provided by two 3He sorption coolers operated sequentially, and (2) a 50mK adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (ADR) operated in single-shot mode. We have built a prototype cooler and demonstrated it in a dedicated SPICA-like thermal testbed with regulated stages enabling measurement of rejected heat at 1.7K and 4.5K. The approach offers lower mass than a dual-stage ADR, and lower rejected power to 1.7K and 4.5K than a comparable single-shot 300mK system, while insuring a high duty cycle. As a demonstration of feasibility for SPICA and future cryogenic missions, we show long-term cooling with flight-like parasitics at 50mK and 300mK requiring only 3mW and 8mW rejected at 1.7K and 4.5K, respectively.
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