Ultrasensitive Kilo-Pixel Imaging Array of Photon Noise-Limited Kinetic Inductance Detectors Over an Octave of Bandwidth for THz Astronomy
Juan Bueno (SRON–Netherlands Institute for Space Research)
V. Murugesan (SRON–Netherlands Institute for Space Research)
K. Karatsu (TU Delft - Tera-Hertz Sensing)
David J. Thoen (TU Delft - Tera-Hertz Sensing)
J.J.A. Baselmans (SRON–Netherlands Institute for Space Research, TU Delft - Tera-Hertz Sensing)
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Abstract
We present the development of a background-limited kilo-pixel imaging array of ultrawide bandwidth kinetic inductance detectors (KIDs) suitable for space-based THz astronomy applications. The array consists of 989 KIDs, in which the radiation is coupled to each KID via a leaky lens antenna, covering the frequency range between 1.4 and 2.8 THz. The single pixel performance is fully characterised using a representative small array in terms of sensitivity, optical efficiency, beam pattern and frequency response, matching very well its expected performance. The kilo-pixel array is characterised electrically, finding a yield larger than 90% and an averaged noise-equivalent power lower than 3 × 10- 19 W/Hz1 / 2. The interaction between the kilo-pixel array and cosmic rays is studied, with an expected dead time lower than 0.6% when operated in an L2 or a similar far-Earth orbit.
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