Broadband kinetic inductance detectors for far-IR observations

Jordan Wheeler; Jason Austermann; Michael Vissers; James Beall; Jiansong Gao; Jozsef Imrek; Edwin Heilweil; Douglas Bennett; Johnathan Gard; Jeff van Lanen; Johannes Hubmayr; Joel Ullom

doi:10.1117/12.2630672

31 August 2022 Broadband kinetic inductance detectors for far-IR observations

Jordan Wheeler, Jason Austermann, Michael Vissers, James Beall, Jiansong Gao, Jozsef Imrek, Edwin Heilweil, Douglas Bennett, Johnathan Gard, Jeff van Lanen, Johannes Hubmayr, Joel Ullom

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 12190, Millimeter, Submillimeter, and Far-Infrared Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy XI; 1219006 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2630672
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2022, Montréal, Québec, Canada

Abstract

The development of direct absorbing kinetic inductance detectors (KIDs) for broadband far-infrared (FIR) observations designed to meet the needs of present and future telescopes is presented. This development was initiated to investigate the potential for upgrading the High-resolution Airborne Wideband Camera Plus (HAWC+) instrument on the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) with KIDs; but also has applications generally for FIR detectors. These detectors consist of backside-illuminated KIDs on a silicon substrate where the hybrid TiN/Al inductor forms a resistive wire grid with broadband absorption. Detectors can be configured to absorb in either one or two polarizations with a pixel filling factor of around 80%. A novel two-layer meta material anti-reflection coating, and a sub-quarter-wavelength backshort allow for greater than 85% detection efficiency over the ultra-wide 1 to 6 THz bandwidth. These detectors require no focal plane focusing optics such as feedhorns or microlenses, do not require fragile membranes, and utilize proven and straightforward fabrication methods. The optical and microwave design of these detectors is presented. Additionally, the performance of test devices is quantified. This includes measurements of the AR coating effectiveness, detector noise equivalent powers, and detector internal quality factors under the relevant loading levels for the HAWC+ instrument. This information is used to assess the potential benefit of upgrading the HAWC+ instrument with these new detectors and to determine the applicability of this technology for other future FIR detectors.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Jordan Wheeler, Jason Austermann, Michael Vissers, James Beall, Jiansong Gao, Jozsef Imrek, Edwin Heilweil, Douglas Bennett, Johnathan Gard, Jeff van Lanen, Johannes Hubmayr, and Joel Ullom "Broadband kinetic inductance detectors for far-IR observations", Proc. SPIE 12190, Millimeter, Submillimeter, and Far-Infrared Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy XI, 1219006 (31 August 2022); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2630672

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available