Abstract
The Experimental Probe of Inflationary Cosmology - Intermediate Mission (EPIC-IM) is a concept for the NASA Einstein Inflation Probe satellite. EPIC-IM is designed to characterize the polarization properties of the Cosmic Microwave Background to search for the B-mode polarization signal characteristic of gravitational waves generated during the epoch of Inflation in the early universe. EPIC-IM employs a large focal plane with 11,000 detectors operating in 9 wavelength bands to provide 30 times higher sensitivity than the currently operating Planck satellite. The optical design is based on a wide-field 1.4 m crossed-Dragone telescope, an aperture that allows not only comprehensive measurements of Inflationary B-mode polarization, but also measurements of the E-mode and lensing polarization signals to cosmological limits, as well as all-sky maps of Galactic polarization with unmatched sensitivity and angular resolution. The optics are critical to measuring these extremely faint polarization signals, and any design must meet demanding requirements on systematic error control. We describe the EPIC-IM crossed Dragone optical design, its polarization properties, and far-sidelobe response.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Title of host publication | Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2010 |
Subtitle of host publication | Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2010 |
Event | Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2010: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave - San Diego, CA, United States Duration: Jun 27 2010 → Jul 2 2010 |
Publication series
Name | Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering |
---|---|
Volume | 7731 |
ISSN (Print) | 0277-786X |
Conference
Conference | Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2010: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave |
---|---|
Country/Territory | United States |
City | San Diego, CA |
Period | 6/27/10 → 7/2/10 |
Keywords
- Cosmic microwave background
- Cosmology
- Inflation
- Mission concept
- Optical design
- Polarization
- Satellite