| Title: |
A kilo-pixel imaging system for future space based far-infrared observatories using microwave kinetic inductance detectors |
| Authors: |
Baselmans, J. J. A., Bueno, J., Yates, S. J. C., Yurduseven, O., Llombart, N., Karatsu, K., Baryshev, A. M., Ferrari, L., Endo, A., Thoen, D. J., de Visser, P. J., Janssen, R. M. J., Murugesan, V., Driessen, E. F. C., Coiffard, G., Martin-Pintado, J., Hargrave, P., Griffin, M. |
| Source: |
A&A 601, A89 (2017) |
| Publication Year: |
2016 |
| Collection: |
Astrophysics |
| Subject Terms: |
Astrophysics - Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics |
| More Details: |
Future astrophysics and cosmic microwave background space missions operating in the far-infrared to millimetre part of the spectrum will require very large arrays of ultra-sensitive detectors in combination with high multiplexing factors and efficient low-noise and low-power readout systems. We have developed a demonstrator system suitable for such applications. The system combines a 961 pixel imaging array based upon Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs) with a readout system capable of reading out all pixels simultaneously with only one readout cable pair and a single cryogenic amplifier. We evaluate, in a representative environment, the system performance in terms of sensitivity, dynamic range, optical efficiency, cosmic ray rejection, pixel-pixel crosstalk and overall yield at at an observation centre frequency of 850 GHz and 20% fractional bandwidth. The overall system has an excellent sensitivity, with an average detector sensitivity NEPdet=3x10^-19 W/rt(Hz) measured using a thermal calibration source. At a loading power per pixel of 50fW we demonstrate white, photon noise limited detector noise down to 300 mHz. The dynamic range would allow the detection of 1 Jy bright sources within the field of view without tuning the readout of the detectors. The expected dead time due to cosmic ray interactions, when operated in an L2 or a similar far-Earth orbit, is found to be <4%. Additionally, the achieved pixel yield is 83% and the crosstalk between the pixels is <-30dB. This demonstrates that MKID technology can provide multiplexing ratios on the order of a 1000 with state-of-the-art single pixel performance, and that the technology is now mature enough to be considered for future space based observatories and experiments.
Comment: Resubmitted manuscript after review A&A (2016) 16 pages, 10 figures |
| Document Type: |
Working Paper |
| DOI: |
10.1051/0004-6361/201629653 |
| Access URL: |
http://arxiv.org/abs/1609.01952 |
| Accession Number: |
edsarx.1609.01952 |
| Database: |
arXiv |
