arXiv subjects

Andrew Beyer

Publications and source records attributed to Andrew Beyer.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Spatial Mapping and Capacitor Trimming Developments to Improve Usable Pixel Yield in PRIMA FIRESS Kilo-Pixel Arrays

The Probe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics (PRIMA) will use 8 kilo-pixel kinetic inductance detector (KID) arrays in its spectrometer module. We present an improved resonant frequency to spatial position mapping system designed to preserve each array's mapping after transferring it from the mapping apparatus to the flight housing. Such a mapping is necessary for astronomical observations, and additionally allows us to laser trim the capacitive elements of KIDs to optimize resonance separation in frequency space. This increases the operating yield by eliminating collided resonances, reduces crosstalk, and reduces the sensitivity to frequency drift over time.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2026

Radiation Total Dose for PRIMA: Cold Exposure with Alpha Particles

The Probe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics (PRIMA) is a far-infrared (24-261 micron wavelengths) probe-class space observatory currently under Phase A study, which promises orders-of-magnitude improvement in mapping speed over its predecessors. PRIMA will field exquisitely sensitive kilopixel arrays of kinetic inductance detectors (KIDs) for the Far-Infrared Enhanced Survey Spectrometer (FIRESS) instrument. PRIMA will orbit in space at the Sun-Earth L2 point, where Planck found the energetic particle flux to be about 300/min/cm2. Thus, the possible effect of a high fluence of energetic particles on the detector sensitivity must be characterized. Previous work has suggested that bombardment of KIDs by ions can reduce the quasiparticle lifetime (Barends et. al. 2009), but the conditions of the experiment were not representative of a detector which is continuously held at sub-Kelvin temperatures in the energetic particle environment of L2 orbit. To better replicate the damage which would be produced by energetic particles in this environment, we developed a fully cryogenic irradiation experiment in which a stepper motor controls a screen which can block or reveal an alpha particle emitter. This setup can be used to irradiate aluminum KID arrays fabricated for FIRESS to well-controlled dose levels. In this work, we calculate the damage dose expected for a 5-year mission in L2 orbit, and we irradiate an array to approximately 62 percent of this level. Before and after irradiation, we measure the quasiparticle lifetimes, resonant frequencies, and quality factors of the detectors.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2025

Purcell-enhanced emissions from diamond color centers in slow light photonic crystal waveguides

Quantum memories based on emitters with optically addressable spins rely on efficient photonic interfaces, often implemented as nanophotonic cavities with ideally narrow spectral linewidths and small mode volumes. However, these approaches require nearly perfect spectral and spatial overlap between the cavity mode and quantum emitter, which can be challenging. This is especially true in the case of solid-state quantum emitters that are often randomly positioned and can suffer from significant inhomogeneous broadening. An alternative approach to mitigate these challenges is to use slow-light waveguides that can enhance light-matter interaction across large optical bandwidths and large areas. Here, we demonstrate diamond slow light photonic crystal (PhC) waveguides that enable broadband optical coupling to embedded silicon-vacancy (SiV) color centers. We take advantage of the recently demonstrated thin-film diamond photonic platform to fabricate fully suspended two-dimensional PhC waveguides. Using this approach, we demonstrate waveguide modes with high group indices up to 70 and observe Purcell-enhanced emissions of the SiVs coupled to the waveguide mode. Our approach represents a practical diamond platform for robust spin-photon interfaces with color centers.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

A 25-micron single photon sensitive kinetic inductance detector

We report measurements characterizing the performance of a kinetic inductance detector array designed for a wavelength of 25 microns and very low optical background level suitable for applications such as a far-infrared instrument on a cryogenically cooled space telescope. In a pulse counting mode of operation at low optical flux, the detectors can resolve individual 25-micron photons. In an integrating mode, the detectors remain photon noise limited over more than six orders of magnitude in absorbed power from 70 zW to 200 fW, with a limiting NEP of 4.6 x 10^-20 W/rtHz at 1 Hz. In addition, the detectors are highly stable with flat power spectra under optical load down to 1 mHz. Operational parameters of the detector are determined including the efficiency of conversion of the incident optical power into quasiparticles in the aluminum absorbing element and the quasiparticle self-recombination constant.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2023

Plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition of titanium nitride for superconducting devices

This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the exceptional superconducting attributes of titanium nitride (TiN) achieved through plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) on both planar and intricate three-dimensional (3D) structures. We introduced an additional substrate biasing cycle to densify the film and remove ligand residues, augmenting the properties while minimizing impurities. While reactive-sputtered TiN films exhibit high quality, our technique ensures superior uniformity by consistently maintaining a desired sheet resistance greater than 95 percent across a 6inch wafer, a critical aspect for fabricating extensive arrays of superconducting devices and optimizing wafer yield. Moreover, our films demonstrate exceptional similarity to conventional reactive-sputtered films, consistently reaching a critical temperature (Tc) of 4.35 K with a thickness of around 40 nm. This marks a notable achievement compared to previously reported ALD-based superconducting TiN. Using the same process as for planar films, we obtained Tc for aspect ratios (ARs) ranging from 2 to 40, observing a Tc of approximately 2 K for ARs between 2 and 10.5. We elucidate the mechanisms contributing to the limitations and degradation of superconducting properties over these aggressive 3D structures. Our results seamlessly align with both current and next-generation superconducting technologies, meeting stringent criteria for thin-film constraints, large-scale deposition, conformality, 3D integration schemes, and yield optimization.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2023

High-sensitivity Kinetic Inductance Detector Arrays for the Probe Far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics

Far-infrared (far-IR) astrophysics missions featuring actively cooled telescopes will offer orders of magnitude observing speed improvement at wavelengths where galaxies and forming planetary systems emit most of their light. The PRobe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics (PRIMA), which is currently under study, emphasizes low and moderate resolution spectroscopy throughout the far-IR. Full utilization of PRIMA's cold telescope requires far-IR detector arrays with per-pixel noise equivalent powers (NEPs) at or below 1 x 10-19 W/rtHz. We are developing low-volume Aluminum kinetic inductance detector (KID) arrays to reach these sensitivities. We will present on the development of our long-wavelength (210 um) array approach, with a focus on multitone measurements of our 1,008-pixel arrays. We measure an NEP below 1 x 10-19 W/rtHz for 73 percent of our pixels.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2023

Demonstration of a Quantum Noise Limited Traveling-Wave Parametric Amplifier

Recent progress in quantum computing and the development of novel detector technologies for astrophysics is driving the need for high-gain, broadband, and quantum-limited amplifiers. We present a purely traveling-wave parametric amplifier (TWPA) using an inverted NbTiN microstrip and amorphous Silicon dielectric. Through dispersion engineering, we are able to obtain $50~\Omega$ impedance matching and suppress undesired parametric processes while phase matching the three-wave-mixing amplification across a large range of frequencies. The result is a broadband amplifier operating with 20 dB gain and quantum-limited noise performance at 20 mK. At the single frequency where the amplifier is phase sensitive, we further demonstrate 8 dB of vacuum noise squeezing.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2021

A multi-chroic kinetic inductance detectors array using hierarchical phased array antenna

We present a multi-chroic kinetic inductance detector (KID) pixel design integrated with a broadband hierarchical phased-array antenna. Each low-frequency pixel consists of four high-frequency pixels. Four passbands are designed from 125 to 365 GHz according to the atmospheric windows. The lumped element KIDs consist of 100-nm thick AlMn inductors and Nb parallel plate capacitors with hydrogenated amorphous Si dielectric. Two different coupling structures are designed to couple millimeter-wave from microstrip lines to KIDs. The KID designs are optimized for a 10-m-class telescope at a high, dry site, for example, the Leighton Chajnantor Telescope. Preliminary measurement results using Al KIDs are discussed.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2021

Nonlinearity and wideband parametric amplification in an NbTiN microstrip transmission line

The nonlinear response associated with the current dependence of the superconducting kinetic inductance was studied in capacitively shunted NbTiN microstrip transmission lines. It was found that the inductance per unit length of one microstrip line could be changed by up to 20% by applying a DC current, corresponding to a single pass time delay of 0.7 ns. To investigate nonlinear dissipation, Bragg reflectors were placed on either end of a section of this type of transmission line, creating resonances over a range of frequencies. From the change in the resonance linewidth and amplitude with DC current, the ratio of the reactive to the dissipative response of the line was found to be 788. The low dissipation makes these transmission lines suitable for a number of applications that are microwave and millimeter-wave band analogues of nonlinear optical processes. As an example, by applying a millimeter-wave pump tone, very wide band parametric amplification was observed between about 3 and 34 GHz. Use as a current variable delay line for an on-chip millimeter-wave Fourier transform spectrometer is also considered.

astro-ph.IM↗