DMD chip space evaluation for ESA's EUCLID mission

The EUCLID mission from the European Space Agency (ESA) will study the dark universe by characterizing a very high number of galaxies in shape and in spectrum. The high precision spectra measurements could be obtained via multi-object spectroscopy (MOS) using Digital Micromirror Devices (DMD). These devices would act as object selection reconfigurable masks. ESA has engaged with Visitech and LAM in a technical assessment of the DMD from Texas Instruments that features a 2048 x 1080 mirrors and a 13.68μm pixel pitch for space applications. For EUCLID, the device should work in vacuum, at low temperature, and each MOS exposure lasts 1500s with micromirrors held in a static state (either ON or OFF) during that duration. A specific thermal / vacuum test chamber has been developed for test conditions down to -40°C at 10 -5 mbar vacuum. Imaging capability for resolving each micromirror has also been developed for determining any single mirror failure. Dedicated electronics and software permit to hold any pattern on the device for a duration as long as 1500s. Our first tests reveal that the DMD remains fully operational at -40°C. A 1038 hours life test, in EUCLID conditions (temperature and vacuum) has been successfully completed. Total Ionizing Dose (TID) radiation tests have been completed, establishing between 10 and 15 Krads, the level of TID that the DMD can tolerate; at mission level, this limitation could most likely be overcome by a proper shielding of the device. Finally, thermal cycling, vibration tests and MOS-like tests are under way.