We propose the development of a new UV spectrometer that leverages technological advances in silicon carbide (SiC) based detectors to achieve fast, high signal to noise ratio (SNR), spectroscopic measurements in the UV regime. SiC detectors are solar blind (non responsive to wavelengths above 400 nm) and exhibit ultralow dark current, resulting in a 3 order of magnitude increase in specific responsivity in the UV as compared to current state of the art (SOA) silicon-based detectors. This represents an at least 1 order of magnitude improvement in SNR, enabling advanced measurements in Astrophysics, Planetary Science, and Earth Science. This ECI project will principally focus on the optimization and integration of SiC detectors into an existing, ground-based, atmospheric spectroscopy platform, Pandora, culminating in a field demonstration showing high temporal resolution detection of column formaldehyde (HCHO, 1-2 hours lifetime). Formaldehyde is a key species used to track tropospheric hydroxyl (OH, ~1 second lifetime) which governs the lifetime of methane (CH4, ~9 years lifetime), CH4 + OH → HCHO, a key climate forcing gas. This measurement could not be achieved with sufficient temporal resolution using prior silicon-based detectors, which required repeated averaging to suppress noise, and will enhance our understanding of methane’s and hydroxyl’s atmospheric chemistry, informing future strategies to mitigate their impact.

Investment in SiC maturation through this ECI effort will allow for real-world refinement of SiC detector-based spectrometers. Both short term by enabling SBIR Phase-III work with our industry partner to produce focal planes for future Pandora network deployment, and long term by priming SiC technologies for infusion into strategic, decadal astrophysics, planetary, and earth science missions like the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO).