MIRI’s detectors (IMAGE)

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center

MIRI’s detectors

Caption

By necessity, MIRI’s detectors are built using a special formulation of Arsenic-doped Silicon (Si:As), which need to be at a temperature of less than 7 kelvins to operate properly. This temperature is not possible by passive means alone, so Webb carries a “cryocooler” that is dedicated to cooling MIRI’s detectors.

Credit

NASA JPL - Caltech

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License

Public Domain

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