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Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Antenna-coupled arrays of voltage-biased superconducting bolometers

Michael J. Myers, Adrian Tae-Jin Lee, P. L. Richards, Dan Schwan, J. T. Skidmore, A.D. Smith, H. Spieler, Jongsoo Yoon

Published Jul 23, 2001• 2 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

We report on the development of antenna-coupled Voltage-biased Superconducting Bolometers (VSBs) which use Transition-edge Sensors (TES). Antenna coupling can greatly simplify the fabrication of large multi-frequency bolometer arrays compared to horn-coupled techniques. This simplification can make it practical to implement 1000+ element arrays that fill the focal plane of mm/sub-mm wave telescopes. We have designed a prototype device with a double-slot dipole antenna, integrated band-defining filters, and a membrane-suspended bolometer. A test chip has been constructed and will be tested shortly.

Related papers

Focal Plane Arrays of Voltage-Biased Superconducting Bolometers

Michael J. Myers, John Clarke, Jan M. Gildemeister +6 more

The 200-micrometer to 3-mm wavelength range has great astronomical and cosmological significance. Science goals include characterization of the cosmic microwave background, measurement of the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect in galaxy clusters, and observations of forming galaxies. Cryogenic bolometers are the most sensitive broadband detectors in this frequency range. Because single bolometer pixels are reaching the photon noise limit for many observations, the development of large arrays will be critical for future science progress. Voltage-biased superconducting bolometers (VSBs) have several advantages compared to other cryogenic bolometers. Their strong negative electrothermal feedback enhances their linearity, speed, and stability. The large noise margin of the SQUID readout enables multiplexed readout schemes, which are necessary for developing large arrays. In this paper, we discuss the development of a large absorber-coupled array, a frequency-domain SQUID readout multiplexer, and an antenna-coupled VSB design.

•Dec 1, 2001•0 citations

Frequency-domain multiplexing for large-scale bolometer arrays

Trevor M. Lanting, Hsiao-Mei Cho, John L. Clarke +5 more

We describe the development of a frequency-domain multiplexer (MUX) to read out arrays of superconducting transition-edge sensors (TES). Fabrication of large-format arrays of these sensors is becoming practical; however, reading out each sensor in the array is a major instrumental challenge that is possibly solved by frequency-domain multiplexing. Each sensor is AC biased at a different frequency, ranging from 380 kHz to 1 MHz. The sensor signal amplitude-modulates its respective AC bias frequency. An LC filter associated with each sensor suppresses Johnson noise from the other sensors. The signals are combined at a current summing node and measured by a single superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). The individual signals from each sensor are then lock-in detected by room temperature electronics. Test chips with fully lithographed LC filters for up to 32 channels have been designed and fabricated. The capacitance and inductance values have been measured and are close to the design goals. We discuss the basic principles of frequency-domain multiplexing, the design and testing of the test chips, and the implementation of a practical system.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Feb 1, 2003•16 citations

A fully lithographed voltage-biased superconducting spiderweb bolometer

Jan M. Gildemeister, Adrian Tae-Jin Lee, P. L. Richards

We describe the fabrication and characterization of superconducting transition-edge bolometers for astrophysical applications at far-infrared and mm wavelengths. The sensor is voltage biased and the current is measured with a superconducting quantum interference ammeter. Strong negative electrothermal feedback keeps the sensor temperature nearly constant, reduces the response time significantly, and improves linearity. It also makes the responsivity relatively insensitive to changes in optical background loading and refrigerator temperature. The bolometers are made using standard microlithographic techniques suitable for fabrication of large scale arrays. Detailed measurements of optical response are presented for a range of bias conditions and are compared with theory. Measured noise spectra are shown and a model for the noise is presented.

Applied Physics Letters•Feb 8, 1999•88 citations

Development of a microwave SQUID multiplexer for superconducting transition-edge sensor bolometer arrays

Zhi-Fa Feng, Xian-Feng Zhou, M Y Li +10 more

Abstract A microwave SQUID multiplexer ( μ MUX) with a high multiplexing factor is a promising readout approach for large-scale superconducting transition-edge sensor (TES) bolometer arrays. This paper reports on the characteristics of 16-channel μ MUX prototype chips and a 60-channel readout module developed to read out TES bolometers for the Ali cosmic microwave background polarization telescope (AliCPT). We designed two different coupling structures between the resonator and the radio-frequency superconducting interference device: design A with a mutual inductance ( M T ) of 2.3 pH and design B with an M T of 6.5 pH. For design A, the mean resonator bandwidth ( Δ f BW ) and peak-to-peak frequency shift ( Δ f pp ) are approximately 610 kHz and 290 kHz, respectively. The measured mean open-loop current noise is less than 40 pA / Hz . Preliminary results indicate that crosstalk between adjacent channels is below 1% in our design A μ MUX chip. A measured channel with design B shows a Δ f BW of 586 kHz and a current noise of 33 pA / Hz , similar to the design A channels. In comparison, the Δ f pp of 803 kHz is much larger than the design A channels due to a larger M T . The readout module, consisting of two design A chips and two design B chips, shows 60 resonances, corresponding to a yield of 94%. In the future, we will place 32 design A channels within the same chip dimension to increase the channel density and build a larger readout module suitable for AliCPT TES arrays.

Superconductor Science and Technology•Sep 1, 2026•0 citations

A frequency-domain SQUID multiplexer for arrays of transition-edge superconducting sensors

Trevor M. Lanting, Hsiao-Mei Cho, John L. Clarke +5 more

We describe the development of a frequency-domain multiplexer (MUX) to read out arrays of superconducting transition-edge sensors (TES). Fabrication of large-format arrays of these sensors is becoming practical; however, reading out each sensor in the array is a major instrumental challenge. Frequency-domain multiplexing can greatly simplify the instrumentation of large arrays by reducing the number of SQUID's (superconducting quantum interference devices) and wires to the low temperature stages. Each sensor is AC biased at a different frequency, ranging from 380 kHz to 1 MHz. Each sensor signal amplitude-modulates its respective AC bias frequency. An LC filter associated with each sensor suppresses Johnson noise from the other sensors. The signals are combined at a current summing node and measured by a single SQUID. The individual signals from each sensor are then lock-in detected by room temperature electronics. Test chips with fully lithographed LC filters for up to 32 channels have been designed and fabricated. The capacitance and inductance values have been measured and are close to the design goals. We discuss the basic principles of frequency-domain multiplexing, the design and testing of the test chips, and the implementation of a practical system.

IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity•Jun 1, 2003•20 citations

Transition edge sensor series array bolometer

J. Beyer

A transition edge sensor series array (TES-SA) is an array of identical TESs that are connected in series by low-inductance superconducting wiring. The array elements are equally and well thermally coupled to the absorber and respond to changes in the absorber temperature in synchronization. The TES-SA total resistance increases compared to a single TES while the shape of the superconducting transition is preserved. We are developing a TES-SA with a large number, hundreds to thousands, of array elements with the goal of enabling the readout of a TES-based bolometer operated at 4.2 K with a semiconductor-based amplifier located at room temperature. The noise and dynamic performance of a TES-SA bolometer based on a niobium/aluminum bilayer is analyzed. It is shown that stable readout of the bolometer with a low-noise transimpedance amplifier is feasible.

Superconductor Science and Technology•Sep 17, 2010•5 citations
We report on the development of antenna-coupled Voltage-biased Superconducting Bolometers (VSBs) which use Transition-edge Sensors (TES). Antenna coupling can greatly simplify the fabrication of large multi-frequency bolometer arrays compared to horn-coupled techniques. This simplification can make it practical to implement 1000+ element arrays that fill the focal plane of mm/sub-mm wave telescopes. We have designed a prototype device with a double-slot dipole antenna, integrated band-defining filters, and a membrane-suspended bolometer. A test chip has been constructed and will be tested shortly.
The 200-micrometer to 3-mm wavelength range has great astronomical and cosmological significance. Science goals include characterization of the cosmic microwave background, measurement of the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect in galaxy clusters, and observations of forming galaxies. Cryogenic bolometers are the most sensitive broadband detectors in this frequency range. Because single bolometer pixels are reaching the photon noise limit for many observations, the development of large arrays will be critical for future science progress. Voltage-biased superconducting bolometers (VSBs) have several advantages compared to other cryogenic bolometers. Their strong negative electrothermal feedback enhances their linearity, speed, and stability. The large noise margin of the SQUID readout enables multiplexed readout schemes, which are necessary for developing large arrays. In this paper, we discuss the development of a large absorber-coupled array, a frequency-domain SQUID readout multiplexer, and an antenna-coupled VSB design.
We describe the development of a frequency-domain multiplexer (MUX) to read out arrays of superconducting transition-edge sensors (TES). Fabrication of large-format arrays of these sensors is becoming practical; however, reading out each sensor in the array is a major instrumental challenge that is possibly solved by frequency-domain multiplexing. Each sensor is AC biased at a different frequency, ranging from 380 kHz to 1 MHz. The sensor signal amplitude-modulates its respective AC bias frequency. An LC filter associated with each sensor suppresses Johnson noise from the other sensors. The signals are combined at a current summing node and measured by a single superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). The individual signals from each sensor are then lock-in detected by room temperature electronics. Test chips with fully lithographed LC filters for up to 32 channels have been designed and fabricated. The capacitance and inductance values have been measured and are close to the design goals. We discuss the basic principles of frequency-domain multiplexing, the design and testing of the test chips, and the implementation of a practical system.
We describe the fabrication and characterization of superconducting transition-edge bolometers for astrophysical applications at far-infrared and mm wavelengths. The sensor is voltage biased and the current is measured with a superconducting quantum interference ammeter. Strong negative electrothermal feedback keeps the sensor temperature nearly constant, reduces the response time significantly, and improves linearity. It also makes the responsivity relatively insensitive to changes in optical background loading and refrigerator temperature. The bolometers are made using standard microlithographic techniques suitable for fabrication of large scale arrays. Detailed measurements of optical response are presented for a range of bias conditions and are compared with theory. Measured noise spectra are shown and a model for the noise is presented.
Abstract A microwave SQUID multiplexer ( μ MUX) with a high multiplexing factor is a promising readout approach for large-scale superconducting transition-edge sensor (TES) bolometer arrays. This paper reports on the characteristics of 16-channel μ MUX prototype chips and a 60-channel readout module developed to read out TES bolometers for the Ali cosmic microwave background polarization telescope (AliCPT). We designed two different coupling structures between the resonator and the radio-frequency superconducting interference device: design A with a mutual inductance ( M T ) of 2.3 pH and design B with an M T of 6.5 pH. For design A, the mean resonator bandwidth ( Δ f BW ) and peak-to-peak frequency shift ( Δ f pp ) are approximately 610 kHz and 290 kHz, respectively. The measured mean open-loop current noise is less than 40 pA / Hz . Preliminary results indicate that crosstalk between adjacent channels is below 1% in our design A μ MUX chip. A measured channel with design B shows a Δ f BW of 586 kHz and a current noise of 33 pA / Hz , similar to the design A channels. In comparison, the Δ f pp of 803 kHz is much larger than the design A channels due to a larger M T . The readout module, consisting of two design A chips and two design B chips, shows 60 resonances, corresponding to a yield of 94%. In the future, we will place 32 design A channels within the same chip dimension to increase the channel density and build a larger readout module suitable for AliCPT TES arrays.
We describe the development of a frequency-domain multiplexer (MUX) to read out arrays of superconducting transition-edge sensors (TES). Fabrication of large-format arrays of these sensors is becoming practical; however, reading out each sensor in the array is a major instrumental challenge. Frequency-domain multiplexing can greatly simplify the instrumentation of large arrays by reducing the number of SQUID's (superconducting quantum interference devices) and wires to the low temperature stages. Each sensor is AC biased at a different frequency, ranging from 380 kHz to 1 MHz. Each sensor signal amplitude-modulates its respective AC bias frequency. An LC filter associated with each sensor suppresses Johnson noise from the other sensors. The signals are combined at a current summing node and measured by a single SQUID. The individual signals from each sensor are then lock-in detected by room temperature electronics. Test chips with fully lithographed LC filters for up to 32 channels have been designed and fabricated. The capacitance and inductance values have been measured and are close to the design goals. We discuss the basic principles of frequency-domain multiplexing, the design and testing of the test chips, and the implementation of a practical system.
A transition edge sensor series array (TES-SA) is an array of identical TESs that are connected in series by low-inductance superconducting wiring. The array elements are equally and well thermally coupled to the absorber and respond to changes in the absorber temperature in synchronization. The TES-SA total resistance increases compared to a single TES while the shape of the superconducting transition is preserved. We are developing a TES-SA with a large number, hundreds to thousands, of array elements with the goal of enabling the readout of a TES-based bolometer operated at 4.2 K with a semiconductor-based amplifier located at room temperature. The noise and dynamic performance of a TES-SA bolometer based on a niobium/aluminum bilayer is analyzed. It is shown that stable readout of the bolometer with a low-noise transimpedance amplifier is feasible.