Adaptation of low power multiplexed readout electronics for large bolometer array space missions

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Precision measurements of the Cosmic Microwave Background polarization may allow cosmologists to detect the signature of inflationary gravity waves, providing an image of the universe when it was a tiny fraction of a second old. A new generation of instruments, detectors, and electronic readout systems are being developed to perform these measurements. Though ground based instruments are being commissioned now, the definitive measurements will likely take place from space platform instruments.The electronics for reading out focal planes consisting of kilo-pixel arrays of cryogenic bolometric sensors has been a key technological challenge for this type of instrument. Canadians have demonstrated an international leadership role in this technology development. Dobbs, the PI of this proposal, has co-developed a technique with collaborators at Berkeley that uses Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices for first stage amplification and multiplexing the detector signals in the frequency domain. Dobbs' group at McGill University recently developed a prototype low power digital version of the room temperature backend electronics for use on a mm-wavelength polarization sensitive telescope, called EBEX, that NASA will fly to the top of the atmosphere aboard a high altitude balloon platform. This system is designed to read out many cryogenic detectors on a single set of wires. This greatly reduces the heat load on cryogenic stage, complexity of the system, and overall cost.This proposal seeks funding to further develop the system for satellite platforms while creating a partnership between academia (McGill University), industry (COM DEV), and the Canadian Space Agency. The target application for this technology is space platform instruments for mm-wavelength cosmology observations. It is also directly relevant for several applications including magnetic medical imaging, nuclear forensics, x-ray micro-calorimetry, and earth observation from space.