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arXiv · 1211.0315

MAKO: a pathfinder instrument for on-sky demonstration of low-cost 350 micron imaging arrays

Loren J. Swenson·Peter K. Day·Charles D. Dowell·Byeong H. Eom·Matthew I. Hollister·Robert Jarnot·Attila Kovãcs·Henry G. Leduc·Christopher M. McKenney·Ryan Monroe·Tony Mroczkowski·Hien T. Nguyen·Jonas Zmuidzinas
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Abstract

Submillimeter cameras now have up to $10^4$ pixels (SCUBA 2). The proposed CCAT 25-meter submillimeter telescope will feature a 1 degree field-of-view. Populating the focal plane at 350 microns would require more than $10^6$ photon-noise limited pixels. To ultimately achieve this scaling, simple detectors and high-density multiplexing are essential. We are addressing this long-term challenge through the development of frequency-multiplexed superconducting microresonator detector arrays. These arrays use lumped-element, direct-absorption resonators patterned from titanium nitride films. We will discuss our progress toward constructing a scalable 350 micron pathfinder instrument focusing on fabrication simplicity, multiplexing density, and ultimately a low per-pixel cost.

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Loren J. Swenson, Peter K. Day, Charles D. Dowell, Byeong H. Eom, Matthew I. Hollister, Robert Jarnot, Attila Kovãcs, Henry G. Leduc, Christopher M. McKenney, Ryan Monroe, Tony Mroczkowski, Hien T. Nguyen, Jonas Zmuidzinas. 2012-11-01. MAKO: a pathfinder instrument for on-sky demonstration of low-cost 350 micron imaging arrays. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.926223

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