Abstract
We describe the design, optimization, electrical and optical tests of Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs) for the mm-wave range. Our detectors are based on a novel resonator design, and are suitable for ground-based astronomical observations in the 143 GHz atmospheric window. The measured optical Noise Equivalent Power (NEP) at 0.3 K is \(\sim 10^{-16}~\text{W}/\sqrt{\rm Hz}\) under a 300 K background load. This is equivalent or better than the performance of the best current bolometric detectors for the 140 GHz atmospheric window, limited by atmospheric noise in the best available sites. We also describe which improvements can be introduced to reduce the NEP of our detector, for lower background applications (narrow band or space-based).
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Piacentini, F., et al.: Astrophys. J. 647, 833 (2006)
Kovac, J.M., et al.: Nature 420, 772 (2002)
Day, P.K., et al.: Nature 425, 817–821 (2003)
Mazin, B.A., et al.: AIP Conf. Proc. 605, 309–312 (2002)
Schlaerth, J., et al.: J. Low Temp. Phys. 151, 684–689 (2008)
Monfardini, A., et al.: EAS Publ. Ser. 37, 95–99 (2009)
Benford, D., et al.: In: Journal of Physics: Conference Series, vol. 155 (2009)
Doyle, S., et al.: J. Low Temp. Phys. 151, 530–536 (2008)
Barends, R., et al.: In: Journal of Physics: Conference Series, vol. 155 (2009)
Acknowledgements
This work has been supported by INFN Gruppo V. We thank Phil Mauskopf and Simon Doyle for very useful suggestions in the design phase and in the measurements.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Calvo, M., Giordano, C., Battiston, R. et al. Development of Kinetic Inductance Detectors for Cosmic Microwave Background experiments. Exp Astron 28, 185–194 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10686-010-9197-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10686-010-9197-y