We present a method of spatially mapping microwave kinetic inductance detector (MKID) arrays, in a dark setup. MKIDs are superconducting natively multiplexed resonators which enable kilopixel arrays, such as for the proposed Probe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics (PRIMA). In such telescope applications one must map the spatial location of each MKID with their individual resonance frequencies. Traditional LED arrays or beam-mapping methods become increasingly difficult as pixel spacing decreases, e.g., 900 $\mu$ m separated MKIDs in the spectrometer module of PRIMA. Our new mapping technique uses a cryogenic interferometer in reflection mode. As on-resonance signals reflect from an MKID, they accrue a phase proportional to the path-length, exactly corresponding to their physical distance on the feedline. Specifically, we use a superconducting transmission line that has nonlinear kinetic inductance. The slow-wave structure of this nonlinear device is designed to have a signal speed of 0.64% the speed of light, enabling a compact system. Current biasing this line allows for varying the wave speed and ensuring that the phase measured is periodic within a nulling interferometric mode. Using this setup, we measure a length ordering that reflects the bimodal MKID distribution of a 44 pixel array of MKIDs designed for PRIMA which contains the same spacing as the final kilopixel array design.We present a method of spatially mapping microwave kinetic inductance detector (MKID) arrays, in a dark setup. MKIDs are superconducting natively multiplexed resonators which enable kilopixel arrays, such as for the proposed Probe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics (PRIMA). In such telescope applications one must map the spatial location of each MKID with their individual resonance frequencies. Traditional LED arrays or beam-mapping methods become increasingly difficult as pixel spacing decreases, e.g., 900$\mu$m separated MKIDs in the spectrometer module of PRIMA. Our new mapping technique uses a cryogenic interferometer in reflection mode. As on-resonance signals reflect from an MKID, they accrue a phase proportional to the path-length, exactly corresponding to their physical distance on the feedline. Specifically, we use a superconducting transmission line that has nonlinear kinetic inductance. The slow-wave structure of this nonlinear device is designed to have a signal speed of 0.64% the speed of light, enabling a compact system. Current biasing this line allows for varying the wave speed and ensuring that the phase measured is periodic within a nulling interferometric mode. Using this setup, we measure a length ordering that reflects the bimodal MKID distribution of a 44 pixel array of MKIDs designed for PRIMA which contains the same spacing as the final kilopixel array design.

arXiv:2604.12287IEEE Transactions on Applied SuperconductivityMar 26, 20260 citations

Space applications of superconductivity: digital electronics

R. Harris

CryogenicsApr 1, 198015 citations

Ultra High Q-Factor Superconducting Microresonator to Use in Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors

Morteza Heidari, Seyed Mohammad Hassan Javadzadeh

This article is focused on the design and development of superconducting Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detector (MKID) which is used at near, mid and far-infrared, optical and ultraviolet wavelengths for astronomical applications. MKIDs are superconducting micro-resonators which are very much considered, due to high sensitivity, simplicity in fabrication and ease of read out by a coplanar waveguide or microstrip transmission line. Here a new structure for inductor of lumped element microwave resonator is proposed that causes a very high Quality factor in smaller dimensions. Our resonator's intrinsic Q factor is above 8×106in dimensions of 441×487 μm2which is the highest value in such dimensions. due to the small dimensions of this resonator, makes it desirable to use in large arrays spectrometers.This article is focused on the design and development of superconducting Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detector (MKID) which is used at near, mid and far-infrared, optical and ultraviolet wavelengths for astronomical applications. MKIDs are superconducting micro-resonators which are very much considered, due to high sensitivity, simplicity in fabrication and ease of read out by a coplanar waveguide or microstrip transmission line. Here a new structure for inductor of lumped element microwave resonator is proposed that causes a very high Quality factor in smaller dimensions. Our resonator's intrinsic Q factor is above 8×106in dimensions of 441×487 μm2which is the highest value in such dimensions. due to the small dimensions of this resonator, makes it desirable to use in large arrays spectrometers.

Iranian Conference on Electrical EngineeringApr 1, 20192 citations

Superconducting Detectors

George H. Rieke

Cambridge University Press eBooksApr 30, 20211 citation

Space applications of superconductivity: resonators for high stability oscillators and other applications

Samuel R. Stein

CryogenicsJul 1, 198017 citations

Superconducting Films for Absorber-Coupled MKID Detectors for Sub-Millimeter and Far-Infrared Astronomy

Thomas R. Stevenson, J. S. Adams, Wen-Ting Hsieh +5 more

We describe measurements of the properties, at dc, gigahertz, and terahertz frequencies, of thin (10 nm) aluminum films with 10 Omega/square normal state sheet resistance. Such films can be applied to construct microwave kinetic inductance detector arrays for submillimeter and far-infrared astronomical applications in which incident power excites quasiparticles directly in a superconducting resonator that is configured to present a matched-impedance to the high frequency radiation being detected. For films 10 nm thick, we report normal state sheet resistance, resistance-temperature curves for the superconducting transition, quality factor and kinetic inductance fraction for microwave resonators made from patterned films, and terahertz measurements of sheet impedance measured with a Fourier Transform Spectrometer. We compare properties with similar resonators made from niobium 600 nm thick.We describe measurements of the properties, at dc, gigahertz, and terahertz frequencies, of thin (10 nm) aluminum films with 10 Omega/square normal state sheet resistance. Such films can be applied to construct microwave kinetic inductance detector arrays for submillimeter and far-infrared astronomical applications in which incident power excites quasiparticles directly in a superconducting resonator that is configured to present a matched-impedance to the high frequency radiation being detected. For films 10 nm thick, we report normal state sheet resistance, resistance-temperature curves for the superconducting transition, quality factor and kinetic inductance fraction for microwave resonators made from patterned films, and terahertz measurements of sheet impedance measured with a Fourier Transform Spectrometer. We compare properties with similar resonators made from niobium 600 nm thick.

IEEE Transactions on Applied SuperconductivityJun 1, 20096 citations

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m separated MKIDs in the spectrometer module of PRIMA. Our new mapping technique uses a cryogenic interferometer in reflection mode. As on-resonance signals reflect from an MKID, they accrue a phase proportional to the path-length, exactly corresponding to their physical distance on the feedline. Specifically, we use a superconducting transmission line that has nonlinear kinetic inductance. The slow-wave structure of this nonlinear device is designed to have a signal speed of 0.64% the speed of light, enabling a compact system. Current biasing this line allows for varying the wave speed and ensuring that the phase measured is periodic within a nulling interferometric mode. Using this setup, we measure a length ordering that reflects the bimodal MKID distribution of a 44 pixel array of MKIDs designed for PRIMA which contains the same spacing as the final kilopixel array design.