In this paper, we describe the NanoCarb concept as well as its key elements. Then we will explain the design of the prototype followed by the development of characterization techniques. Finally, we will present how this tool can be used as part of end-to-end model. The key element of the NanoCarb concept is a matrix of silicon Fabry-Perot microinterferometers, which allows us to perform both imaging and interferometry with a field of view of 18° and several interferometric samples in a snapshot. This technique permits us to optimize the SNR for a much reduced volume. The very complex and unusual design of this component brings huge optical and technological challenges, and requires the development of characterization techniques at the nanometer scale. Upon achievement of this purpose, the next step will be the integration of this matrix in a NanoCarb prototype to demonstrate its effective performances. We present a test bench using the interferential metrology technique of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). In a first time, we managed to obtain optical path maps of different silicon wafers with nanometer accuracy. Then, we employed the technique to characterize the first micro-interferometers. In parallel, we realized the first prototype integration of NanoCarb with an InGaAs focal plane array and started its characterization
The structure, thermal stability, interfacial chemical composition, and growth parameters, derived from in situ grazing incidence x-ray diffraction (GIXD) and grazing incidence small angle x-ray scattering, ex situ atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, of three ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic metal/oxide interfaces [Co, Ni81Fe19 (permalloy) and Co70Fe30 on single crystalline NiO(111)] are reported. The samples were prepared in the 300–770 K temperature and 0–200 Å thickness ranges. The important role of Fe in the composition and creation of the interfacial compounds as well as in the film flatness is discussed. The strong influence of the NiO(111) single crystal in determining the crystalline structure of the metal layers is evidenced. The limitations of GIXD in the description of the growth morphology were investigated in detail and are discussed with respect to the substrate crystalline quality.
Superhydrophobic surfaces have been fabricated on flexible fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) foils using nanoimprint lithography (NIL) and roughening by plasma etching. The combination of these two techniques results in hierarchical structures and superhydrophobic properties. The icephobic behavior of the surfaces has been studied with measurements of the freezing delay time (FDT) of water droplets on cooled surfaces. It is demonstrated in this paper that the variability of the FDT values is due to the electrostatic surface potential Vs. The impact of this parameter is explored and it is shown that the delay of freezing increases when the surface potential decreases from 0 to −500 V, and decreases for lower surface potentials. This decrease is related to the saturation effect of contact angle, which is well known in electrowetting literature. Contact angles analysis confirms that this saturation effect occurs around −500 V in the present experimental case. The effect of potential surface polarity is also discussed. By optimizing surface potentials of FEP hierarchical structures, it is possible to obtain FDT higher than 40 min at −15 °C.
The Space CARBon Observatory (SCARBO) European program aims at assessing the monitoring of anthropogenic emissions of Green House Gas (GHG) with the uncovered goal of a sub-daily revisit of the Earth at an affordable cost. One of the main project scopes is the feasibility study of a hybrid constellation including both high accuracy reference missions (Copernicus CO2M or CNES MicroCarb mission) and 24 small-satellites onboarding innovative miniaturized payloads. The key GHG-sensor of the smallsat constellation is the NanoCarb concept, an unprecedently kilogram-class Fourier Transform imaging spectrometer. We are reporting here some preliminary experimental results from a demonstration airborne campaign. A low cost, 2-bands prototype designed for CO2 and CH4 measurement has been developed then integrated over a Falcon-20 from SAFIRE, jointly to SPEX aerosol sensor from SRON. During October 2020, we flew over Spain, Italy, and towards Poland from Francazal airport in Toulouse, France. Even if we did not have the opportunity to flight over a powerplant, a lot of data has been acquired and are being processed. After presented the instrument, mission and data products, we assess the data quality and the reliability of the model. We derive finally an expected sensitivity over CO2 and CH4 columns according to the background respectively about 1.5-2.5% and 5%. We finally demonstrate the operability of this first TRL5 prototype of NanoCarb.
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