Lens-antenna-coupled MKIDs for 7 THz radiation detection
We present the design and cryogenic characterization of highly sensitive 7 THz lens-antenna-coupled MKIDs for future actively cooled far-infrared space telescopes. This is the highest operating frequency ever demonstrated for antenna-coupled MKIDs. The detector is based on a broadband leaky-wave lens-antenna coupled to a hybrid (Al/NbTiN) CPW MKID. Both the antenna and the photosensitive Al section of the MKID lay on a thin dielectric membrane, improving both the antenna efficiency and the detector sensitivity. The high operating frequency requires the definition of sub-micron features with electron-beam lithography, pristine laser-ablated lenses, and very accurate alignments during assembly. We have tested a prototype chip and have obtained a detector noise equivalent power of 3e-20W/sqrt(Hz) with a high coupling efficiency. Additionally, we have measured the antenna beam pattern. With these measurements we demonstrate a detector system suitable for highly-sensitive (imaging) spectrometers.
Authors
- Juan M. Bueno (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9711-8034)
- Willem Jellema (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4837-9553)
- S. J. C. Yates (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8640-4596)
- Vignesh Murugesan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3490-3828)
- Nuria Llombart (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9540-3552)
- Alejandro Pascual Laguna (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7293-4150)
- Shahab O. Dabironezare (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9032-2227)
- J. J. A. Baselmans (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3385-7305)
- Dimitry Lamers
- L. Ferrari (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5251-7138)
- Karwan Rostem (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4189-0700)
- David J. Thoen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5303-7312)
Institutions
- Goddard Space Flight Center (US)
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ES)
- Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (ES)
- Space Research Organisation Netherlands (NL)
- Delft University of Technology (NL)
Publication Details
- Published
- 2024-08-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3020103
- Primary Topic
- Superconducting and THz Device Technology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00