256x256 switched-FET multiplexer for spaceborne astronomical applications

A novel cryogenic design of a source follower per detector (SFD) direct readout multiplexer is demonstrated. This design has proven to be a good prototype for the development of new low-noise large-area cryogenic multiplexers. In the absence of clocking noise, the readout demonstrates as low as about 30 electrons of rms read noise. There is still an excess noise component feeding through when the array is clocked, which manifests itself only at the lower temperatures. The shape of this component is dependent on a number of the bias voltages, and especially on the temperature of the chip. Analysis of the noise spectral density of the unit cell under various bias conditions shows that there is an excess spectral noise component at the lower temperatures.