Sub-Picowatt Precision Radiometry Using Superconducting Transition Edge Sensor Bolometers

Published

March 1, 2001

Author(s)

James A. Chervenak, Erich N. Grossman, Carl D. Reintsema, Kent D. Irwin, S. H. Mosely, C. A. Allen

Abstract

We describe a cryogenic radiometric calibration system suitable for high sensitivity, low power bolometers. The system uses a variable temperature blackbody source capable of temperatures of 4-20 K, whose output covers the sub-millimeter wavelength regime. The detector is an eight-channel, filled-focal-plane array of superconducting transition edge sensor (TES) bolometers. The system is designed to test components of the optical system such as polarizers, filters and stray light suppressors as well as the performance of the detector array elements. The bolometer response to incident sub-millimeter radiation is measured and compared to the calculated output of the source incident on the bolometer.

Citation

IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity

Volume

11

Issue

1

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

radiometer, SQUID, submillimeter, transition edge sensor

Citation

Chervenak, J. , Grossman, E. , Reintsema, C. , Irwin, K. , Mosely, S. and Allen, C. (2001), Sub-Picowatt Precision Radiometry Using Superconducting Transition Edge Sensor Bolometers, IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity (Accessed October 18, 2025)