Optical characterization of ultra-sensitive TES bolometers for SAFARI

Michael D. Audley, Gerhard De Lange, Jian Rong Gao, Pourya Khosropanah, Philip Mauskopf, Dmitry Morozov, Neil A. Trappe, Stephen Doherty, Stafford Withington

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have characterized the optical response of prototype detectors for SAFARI, the far-infrared imaging spectrometer for the SPICA satellite. SAFARI's three bolometer arrays will image a 2'×2' field of view with spectral information over the wavelength range 34-210 Î1/4m. SAFARI requires extremely sensitive detectors (goal NEP ∼ 0.2 aW/âšHz), with correspondingly low saturation powers (∼5 fW), to take advantage of SPICA's cooled optics. We have constructed an ultra-low background optical test facility containing an internal cold black-body illuminator and have recently added an internal hot black-body source and a light-pipe for external illumination. We illustrate the performance of the test facility with results including spectral-response measurements. Based on an improved understanding of the optical throughput of the test facility we find an optical efficiency of 60% for prototype SAFARI detectors.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationMillimeter, Submillimeter, and Far-Infrared Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy VII
EditorsJonas Zmuidzinas, Wayne S. Holland
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9780819496218
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2014
EventMillimeter, Submillimeter, and Far-Infrared Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy VII - Montreal, Canada
Duration: Jun 24 2014Jun 27 2014

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume9153
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Other

OtherMillimeter, Submillimeter, and Far-Infrared Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy VII
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityMontreal
Period6/24/146/27/14

Keywords

  • SAFARI
  • Transition Edge Sensor
  • cryogenic illuminator
  • far-infrared bolometer
  • optical testing
  • ultra-low background

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Optical characterization of ultra-sensitive TES bolometers for SAFARI'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this