Collaborative research: RUI: zeus-3D - upgrading the redshift(z) and early universe spectrometer to trace accretion from the cosmic web

The National Science Foundation Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences awarded Winona State University $570,326 on August 1, 2026, to develop ZEUS-3D, an upgraded imaging spectrometer for detecting gas accretion onto galaxies and characterizing their properties including star formation rates, elemental abundances, and supermassive black hole activity.

The project will upgrade the second-generation ZEUS direct-detection redshift and early universe spectrometer into a three-dimensional imaging spectrometer by adding an image-slicer, K-mirror, and new direct-absorbing kinetic inductance detector array while maintaining simultaneous access to both the 350 and 450 micron telluric windows. When deployed on the 12-meter APEX submillimeter telescope, ZEUS-3D will operate as the only direct-detection spectrometer at submillimeter wavelengths and serve as the most sensitive system for observing far-infrared fine-structure lines from extended emission in early galaxies. The instrument development advances quantum detector technology through advanced manufacturing techniques and provides unique research infrastructure for the astronomical community.

This is a collaborative research project between Winona State University and Cornell University, with Winona State University as the recipient. The award funds research, infrastructure development, and training opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students in engineering and astronomy. Performance takes place in Winona, Minnesota with a period from August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2029. This award falls under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences program (CFDA 47.049), which promotes progress in the mathematical and physical sciences to strengthen the Nation's scientific enterprise.

Abstract

Recent advances in our understanding of how galaxies grow and evolve point to the importance of gas falling onto galaxies from the space around them. However, the details of how this infalling gas interacts with material already in place to produce galaxies like our own milky way are far from clear. This project seeks to reveal the key details of this gas infall and how IT influences galaxy properties such as the rate of star formation, the abundance of the elements, and the presence of active supermassive black holes in their centers. To make the necessary observations, this project will develop zeus-3D, an instrument ideally suited for simultaneously characterizing galaxies while also detecting the gas accreting onto them. The development of zeus-3D provides unique research infrastructure for the astronomical community and advances the state of quantum detector technology using advanced manufacturing techniques. As a collaboration between winona state university and cornell university, the development provides important training opportunities for future engineers and astronomers, at both undergraduate and graduate levels. To meet its scientific goals, this project will extend the heritage of the direct-detection redshift(z) and early universe spectrometers (zeus-1/2) by upgrading the 2ND generation instrument into an imaging spectrometer, zeus-3D. The upgrade includes adding an image-slicer, a k-mirror, and a new direct-absorbing KID detector array, while maintaining simultaneous access to both the 350 and 450 micron telluric windows (alma bands 10 and 9 respectively). Zeus-3D on the 12M apex sub-MM MM-wave telescope will be a unique instrument, the only direct-detection spectrometer operating at submillimeter wavelengths, and the most sensitive system for observing the far-IR fine-structure lines from extended emission in early galaxies. A pilot survey of far-IR fine-structure lines (e.g. [CII] and [NII]) in galaxies and their circum-galactic medium at cosmic noon (z~1-2) will be used to demonstrate zeus-3D performance, train early career scientists, and provide initial answers to the question of how accreting gas from the cosmic web fuels galaxy growth and evolution. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.