Microwave SQUID multiplexing for the Lynx x-ray microcalorimeter

Published

March 22, 2019

Author(s)

Douglas A. Bennett, John A. Mates, Simon R. Bandler, Daniel T. Becker, Joseph W. Fowler, Johnathon D. Gard, Gene C. Hilton, K D. Irwin, Kelsey M. Morgan, Carl D. Reintsema, Kazuhiro Sakai, Daniel R. Schmidt, Stephen J. Smith, Daniel S. Swetz, Joel N. Ullom, Leila R. Vale, Abigail L. Wessels

Abstract

The Lynx x-ray microcalorimeter (LXM) is an imaging spectrometer for the Lynx satellite mission, an x-ray telescope being considered by NASA to be a new flagship mission. Lynx will enable unique astrophysical observations into the x-ray universe due to its high angular resolution and large field of view. The LXM consists of an array of over 100,000 pixels and poses a significant technological challenge to achieve the high degree of multiplexing required to read out these sensors. We discuss the details of microwave superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) multiplexing and describe why it is ideally suited to the needs of the LXM. This case is made by summarizing the current and predicted performance of microwave SQUID multiplexing and describing the steps needed to optimize designs for all the LXM arrays. Finally, we describe our plan to advance the technology readiness level (TRL) of microwave SQUID multiplexing of the LXM microcalorimeters to TRL-5 by 2024.

Citation

Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems

Volume

5

Issue

2

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JATIS.5.2.021007

Local Download

Keywords

multiplexing, superconducting resonators, microcalorimeters, microwave, Lynx x-ray microcalorimeter, LXM, spectrometer, Lynx satellite mission, telescope, NASA, flagship, mission, astrophysical observations, angular resolution, field of view, superconducting quantum interference device, SQUID

Citation

Bennett, D. , Mates, J. , Bandler, S. , Becker, D. , Fowler, J. , Gard, J. , Hilton, G. , Irwin, K. , Morgan, K. , Reintsema, C. , Sakai, K. , Schmidt, D. , Smith, S. , Swetz, D. , Ullom, J. , Vale, L. and Wessels, A. (2019), Microwave SQUID multiplexing for the Lynx x-ray microcalorimeter, Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems, [online], https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JATIS.5.2.021007 (Accessed October 6, 2025)