Transition Edge Sensor Focal Plane Arrays for the BICEP2, Keck, and Spider CMB Polarimeters

Author

Bonetti, J.A. ; Turner, A.D. ; Kenyon, M. ; Leduc, H.G. ; Brevik, J.A. ; Orlando, A. ; Trangsrud, A. ; Sudiwala, R. ; Nguyen, H.T. ; Day, P.K. ; Bock, J.J. ; Golwala, S.R. ; Kovac, J.M. ; Jones, W.C. ; Kuo, C.L.

Author_Institution

Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Technol., Pasadena, CA, USA

Volume

21

Issue

3

fYear

2011

fDate

6/1/2011 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

219

Lastpage

222

Abstract

We describe the transition-edge-sensor (TES) focal plane arrays used for three cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarimetry projects. The first is BICEP2. The focal plane array for BICEP2 has been delivered and the instrument is now taking data at the South Pole. Second is the Keck Array. The focal planes for Keck will be nearly identical to those of BICEP2, but will cover multiples frequencies (96, 150 and 225 GHz). The scheduled deployment of Keck is late 2010. Finally, there is Spider, a high-altitude balloon observatory, which will also cover 96, 150, and 225 GHz and will be deployed in 2012. The goal of all three experiment is detecting B modes in the polarization of the CMB.

Keywords

bolometers; focal planes; millimetre wave measurement; polarimeters; radiofrequency cosmic radiation; radiotelescopes; superconducting microwave devices; transition radiation detectors; B-mode detection; BICEP2; CMB polarization; Keck arrays; TES bolometers; cosmic microwave background polarimetry projects; frequency 150 GHz; frequency 225 GHz; frequency 96 GHz; high-altitude balloon observatory; spider CMB polarimeters; transition edge sensor focal plane arrays; Arrays; Biomembranes; Microstrip antennas; Microwave communication; Sensors; CMB; TES bolometers; cosmic microwave background; polarimetry;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Applied Superconductivity, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1051-8223

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TASC.2010.2093858

Filename

5677560