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Kilopixel Pop-Up Bolometer Arrays for the Atacama Cosmology TelescopeThe recently deployed Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) anticipates first light on its kilopixel array of close-packed transition-edge-sensor bolometers in November of 2007. The instrument will represent a full implementation of the next-generation, large format arrays for millimeter wave astronomy that use superconducting electronics and detectors. Achieving the practical construction of such an array is a significant step toward producing advanced detector arrays for future SOFIA instruments. We review the design considerations for the detector array produced for the ACT instrument. The first light imager consists of 32 separately instrumented 32-channel pop-up bolometer arrays (to create a 32x32 filled array of mm-wave sensors). Each array is instrumented with a 32-channel bias resistor array, Nyquist filter array, and time-division SQUID multiplexer. Each component needed to be produced in relatively large quantities with suitable uniformity to meet tolerances for array operation. An optical design was chosen to maximize absorption at the focal plane while mitigating reflections and stray light. The pop-up geometry (previously implemented with semiconducting detectors and readout on the SHARC II and HAWC instruments) enabled straightforward interface of the superconducting bias and readout circuit with the 2D array of superconducting bolometers. The array construction program balanced fabrication challenges with assembly challenges to deliver the instrument in a timely fashion. We present some of the results of the array build and characterization of its performance.
Document ID
20080039147
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Chervenak, J. A.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Wollack, E.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Henry, R.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Moseley, S. H.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Niemack, M.
(Princeton Univ. NJ, United States)
Staggs, S.
(Princeton Univ. NJ, United States)
Page, L.
(Princeton Univ. NJ, United States)
Doriese, R.
(National Inst. of Standards and Technology Boulder, CO, United States)
Hilton, G. c.
(National Inst. of Standards and Technology Boulder, CO, United States)
Irwin, K. D.
(National Inst. of Standards and Technology Boulder, CO, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
December 6, 2007
Subject Category
Optics
Meeting Information
Meeting: SOFIA 2020 Vision Scientific and Technological Opportunities Workshop
Location: Pasadena, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: December 6, 2007
End Date: December 8, 2007
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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