NASA Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports

antenna to couple radiation into a small superconducting volume and cause quasiparticle excitations, and a single-electron
transistor to measure current through junctions contacting the absorber. We describe optimization of device parameters, and
results on fabrication techniques for producing devices with high yield for detector arrays. We also present modeling of
expected saturation power levels, antenna coupling, and rf multiplexing schemes.
Author
Antenna Couplers; High Resolution; Imaging Techniques; Submillimeter Waves
20040074296 California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena, CA, USA
The Role of Coherent Detection
Zmuidzinas, J.; New Concepts for Far-Infrared and Submillimeter Space Astronomy; April 2004, pp. 329-341; In English;
See also 20040074260; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A03, Hardcopy
Many interesting astronomical objects, such as galaxies, molecular clouds, PDRs, star - forming regions, protostars,
evolved stars, planets, and comets, have rich submillimeter spectra. In order to avoid line blending, and to be able to resolve
the line shape, it is often necessary to measure these spectra at high resolution. This paper discusses the relative advantages
and limitations of coherent and direct detection for high resolution spectroscopy in the submillimeter and far - infrared. In
principle, direct detection has a fundamental sensitivity advantage. In practice, it is di.cult to realize this advantage given the
sensitivities of existing detectors and reasonable constraints on the instrument volume. Thus, coherent detection can be
expected to play an important role in submillimeter and far - infrared astrophysics well into the future.
Author
Comets; Detection; Far Infrared Radiation; High Resolution; Line Shape; Spectroscopy; Submillimeter Waves
20040074297 NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
Ideal Integrating Bolometer
Kogut, A.; DiPirro, M.; Moseley, S. H.; New Concepts for Far-Infrared and Submillimeter Space Astronomy; April 2004,
pp. 342-348; In English; See also 20040074260; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A02, Hardcopy
We describe a new "ideal integrator" bolometer as a prototype for a new generation of sensitive, flexible
far-IR detectors suitable for use in large arrays. The combination of a non-dissipative sensor coupled with a fast heat switch
provides breakthrough capabilities in both sensitivity and operation. The bolometer temperature varies linearly with the
integrated infrared power incident on the detector, and may be sampled intermittently without loss of information between
samples. The sample speed and consequent dynamic range depend only on the heat switch reset cycle and can be selected in
software. Between samples, the device acts as an ideal integrator with noise significantly lower than resistive bolometers.
Since there is no loss of information between samples, the device is well-suited for large arrays. A single SQUID readout could
process an entire column of detectors, greatly reducing the complexity, power requirements, and cost of readout electronics
for large pixel arrays.
Author
Bolometers; Far Infrared Radiation; Sensitivity; Prototypes
20040074298 Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena, CA, USA
The Millimeter-Wave Bolometric Interferometer
Ali, S.; Ade, P. A. R.; Bock, J. J.; Novak, G.; Piccirillo, L.; Timbie, P.; Tucker, G. S.; New Concepts for Far-Infrared and
Submillimeter Space Astronomy; April 2004, pp. 309-316; In English; See also 20040074260; No Copyright; Avail: CASI;
A02, Hardcopy
The Millimeter-wave Bolometric Interferometer (MBI) is a proposed ground-based instrument designed for a wide range
of cosmological and astrophysical observations including studies of the polarization of the cosmic microwave background
(CMB). MBI combines the advantages of two well-developed technologies - interferometers and bolometric detectors.
Interferometers have many advantages over .filled-aperture telescopes and are particularly suitable for high resolution
imaging. Cooled bolometers are the highest sensitivity detectors at millimeter and sub-millimeter wavelengths. The
combination of these two technologies results in an instrument with both high sensitivity and high angular resolution.
Author
Millimeter Waves; Bolometers; Interferometers
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