First Astronomical Use of Multiplexed Transition Edge Bolometers

Published

February 1, 2002

Author(s)

D. J. Benford, Troy A. Ames, James A. Chervenak, Erich N. Grossman, Kent D. Irwin, S. A. De Kotwara, B. Maffci, S. H. Mosely, Francois Pajot, Thomas G. Phillips, Carl D. Reintsema, Cyrille Rioux, Rick A. Shafer, Johannes G. Staguhn, C. Vastel, George M. Voellmer

Abstract

We present performance results based on the first astronomical use of mutiplexed superconducting bolometers. The Fabry-Perot Interferometer Bolometer Research Experiment (FIBRE) is a broadband submillimeter spectrometer that achieved first light in June 2001 at the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO). FIBRE's detectors are superconducting transition edge sensor (TES) bolometers read out by a SQUID mulitplexer. The Fabry-Perot uses a low resolution grating to order sort the incoming light. A linear bolometer array consisting of 16 elements detects this dispersed light, capturing 5 orders simultaneously from one position on the sky. With tuning of the Fabry-Pero over one free spectral range, a spectrum covering Δ}λ/λ=1/7 at a resolution of δλ/λapproximately equal}1/1200 can be acquired. This spectral resolution is sufficient to resolve doppler broadened line emission from external galaxies. FIBRE operates in the 350 υm and 450 υm bands. These bands cover line emission from the important PDR tracers neutral carbon [Cl] and carbon monoxide (CO). We have verified that the multiplexed bolometers are photon noise limited even with the low power present in moderate resolution spectrometry.

Proceedings Title

Proc., 9th Intl Wkshp on Low Temp. Detectors (LTD)

Volume

AIP 605

Conference Dates

July 22-29, 2001

Conference Location

Madison, WI, USA

Pub Type

Conferences

Keywords

SQUID, superconducting bolometers, transition edge sensor

Citation

Benford, D. , Ames, T. , Chervenak, J. , Grossman, E. , Irwin, K. , De Kotwara, S. , Maffci, B. , Mosely, S. , Pajot, F. , Phillips, T. , Reintsema, C. , Rioux, C. , Shafer, R. , Staguhn, J. , Vastel, C. and Voellmer, G. (2002), First Astronomical Use of Multiplexed Transition Edge Bolometers, Proc., 9th Intl Wkshp on Low Temp. Detectors (LTD), Madison, WI, USA (Accessed October 9, 2025)