Thomas L. R. Brien | Searcharxiv

arXiv2026

SuMAC: On-sky demonstration of multi-pixel on-chip millimeter-wave spectroscopy at the Large Millimeter Telescope

The SuperSpec-MUSCAT Collaboration (SuMAC) is an effort to operate SuperSpec spectrometers in the MUSCAT instrument at the Large Millimeter Telescope (LMT). SuperSpec is an on-chip filterbank spectrometer using kinetic inductance detectors (KIDs), with moderate $R\sim 200$ spectral resolution for observing in the 1 mm atmospheric window (190-300 GHz). While nominally a continuum camera operating a 1.1 mm, MUSCAT was also designed to operate as a testbed for pioneering detection technologies. In July 2025, three SuperSpec devices were installed and commissioned in the MUSCAT cryostat with minimal modifications to the system. This work presents an overview of SuperSpec's deployment and performance in MUSCAT along with the main results from the Summer 2025 observation campaign. Highlights include the detection of CO emission line in the galaxy NGC253, mapping the Orion KL region, and preliminary line intensity mapping scans.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2018

MUSCAT: The Mexico-UK Sub-Millimetre Camera for AsTronomy

The Mexico-UK Sub-millimetre Camera for AsTronomy (MUSCAT) is a large-format, millimetre-wave camera consisting of 1,500 background-limited lumped-element kinetic inductance detectors (LEKIDs) scheduled for deployment on the Large Millimeter Telescope (Volcán Sierra Negra, Mexico) in 2018. MUSCAT is designed for observing at 1.1 mm and will utilise the full 40' field of view of the LMTs upgraded 50-m primary mirror. In its primary role, MUSCAT is designed for high-resolution follow-up surveys of both galactic and extra-galactic sub-mm sources identified by Herschel. MUSCAT is also designed to be a technology demonstrator that will provide the first on-sky demonstrations of novel design concepts such as horn-coupled LEKID arrays and closed continuous cycle miniature dilution refrigeration. Here we describe some of the key design elements of the MUSCAT instrument such as the novel use of continuous sorption refrigerators and a miniature dilutor for continuous 100-mK cooling of the focal plane, broadband optical coupling to Aluminium LEKID arrays using waveguide chokes and anti-reflection coating materials as well as with the general mechanical and optical design of MUSCAT. We explain how MUSCAT is designed to be simple to upgrade and the possibilities for changing the focal plane unit that allows MUSCAT to act as a demonstrator for other novel technologies such as multi-chroic polarisation sensitive pixels and on-chip spectrometry in the future. Finally, we will report on the current status of MUSCAT's commissioning.

astro-ph.IM↗