Future space missions that aim to detect and characterize Earth-like exoplanets will require an instrument that efficiently measures the spectra of these planets, placing strict requirements on detector performance. The upcoming Roman Space Telescope will demonstrate the performance of an electron-multiplying charge-coupled device as part of the coronagraphic instrument (CGI). The recent LUVOIR and HabEx studies baselined pairing such a detector with an integral field spectrograph to take spectra of multiple exoplanets and debris disks simultaneously. We investigate the scientific impact of a noiseless energy-resolving detector (ERD) for the planned Habitable Worlds Observatory’s (HWO) CGI. By assuming higher quantum efficiency, higher optical throughput, and zero noise, we effectively place upper limits on the impact of advancing detector technologies. We find that ERDs would potentially take spectra of hundreds of additional exoplanets “for free” over the course of an HWO survey, greatly increasing its scientific yield.

中文翻译：

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无噪声能量分辨探测器对未来系外行星成像任务的科学影响


未来旨在探测和表征类地系外行星的太空任务将需要一种能够有效测量这些行星光谱的仪器，这对探测器的性能提出了严格的要求。即将推出的罗马太空望远镜将展示作为日冕仪器 (CGI) 一部分的电子倍增电荷耦合装置的性能。最近的 LUVOIR 和 HabEx 研究将此类探测器与积分场摄谱仪配对，以同时获取多个系外行星和碎片盘的光谱。我们研究无噪声能量分辨探测器 (ERD) 对计划中的宜居世界天文台 (HWO) CGI 的科学影响。通过假设更高的量子效率、更高的光学吞吐量和零噪声，我们有效地为先进探测器技术的影响设定了上限。我们发现 ERD 可能会在 HWO 调查过程中“免费”获取数百个额外系外行星的光谱，从而大大提高其科学产量。