The Terahertz Intensity Mapper: design, modeling, and characterization of the cryogenic receiver
The Terahertz Intensity Mapper (TIM) is a NASA-funded balloon-borne telescope that aims to measure the [CII] emission from star forming galaxies over an enormous cosmic volume. TIM’s cryogenic receiver, based on the BLAST-TNG design, utilizes a three-stage He sorption refrigerator backed by a 280-liter liquid helium tank to achieve a base temperature of 250 mK, which enables photon noise-limited performance for its MKID detectors. Two low-impedance multi-channel heat exchangers enhance cooling efficiency, contributing to a designed hold time of 20 days under ground conditions. Preliminary simulations and assembly tests showcase the cryostat's reliability, and data validation is anticipated by the summer of 2024. We will present the design and current status of the TIM cryogenic receiver and our ongoing characterization effort toward an Antarctic flight in 2026.
Authors
- Rong Nie (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4493-3956)
- Evan C. Mayer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6439-8140)
- P. Mauskopf (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6397-5516)
- Shubh Agrawal (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2429-5811)
- Ryan P. Keenan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1859-9640)
- Garrett K. Keating (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3490-146X)
- Daniel P. Marrone (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2367-1080)
- Justin S. Bracks
- J. D. Vieira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7192-3871)
- Isaac Trumper
- Ian N. Lowe
- Alex Manduca
- Victor Gasho
- Mikołaj Kowalik
- Talia Saeid
- S. Hailey-Dunsheath
- Lun-Jun Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1270-2373)
- M. Hollister (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2807-5971)
- J. Fu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3767-299X)
- James Aguirre (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4810-666X)
- Vesal Razavimaleki
- R. M. J. Janssen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9122-9668)
- J. P. Filippini (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8217-6832)
- Christopher Groppi
- Dylan Joralmon
- Nick Emerson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8059-0247)
- Brockton S. Brendal
- Hrushi Athreya
- Jessica A. Zebrowski
- Charles M. Bradford
Institutions
- California Institute of Technology (US)
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory (US)
- University of Arizona (US)
- University of Illinois System (US)
- California University of Pennsylvania (US)
- Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (DE)
- Center for Astrophysics Harvard & Smithsonian (US)
- Cryogenic Industries (United States) (US)
- Arizona State University (US)
Publication Details
- Published
- 2024-08-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3019497
- Primary Topic
- Superconducting and THz Device Technology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00