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A Broadband Superconducting Detector Suitable for Use in Large ArraysCryogenic detectors are extremely sensitive and have a wide variety of applications (particularly in astronomy), but are difficult to integrate into large arrays like a modern CCD (charge-coupled device) camera. As current detectors of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) already have sensitivities comparable to the noise arising from the random arrival of CMB photons, the further gains in sensitivity needed to probe the very early Universe will have to arise from large arrays. A similar situation is encountered at other wavelengths. Single-pixel X-ray detectors now have a resolving power of (Delta)E < 5 eV for single 6-keV photons, and future X-ray astronomy missions anticipate the need for 1,000-pixel arrays. Here we report the demonstration of a superconducting detector that is easily fabricated and can readily be incorporated into such an array. Its sensitivity is already within an order of magnitude of that needed for CMB observations, and its energy resolution is similarly close to the targets required for future X-ray astronomy missions.
Document ID
20060009459
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Day, Peter K.
(California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
LeDuc, Henry G.
(California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Mazin, Benjamin A.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Vayonakis, Anastasios
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Zmuldzinas, Jonas
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2003
Publication Information
Publication: Letters to Nature
Volume: 425
Subject Category
Astronomy
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-10358
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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