Planar-Antenna-coupled Superconducting Bolometer Arrays for Submillimeter and Millimeter Astrophysics

美国加州理查兹公司将开发用于亚毫米和毫米波长观测的平面天线耦合超导测辐射热计系统。天线耦合阵列有可能极大地提高观测效率，为新的科学目标打开大门。其目标是全面描述天线耦合测辐射热计的原型设计；设计和测试宽带双极化天线；开发将单个天线的信号分成多个频段的射频“信道化器”；以及使用微电子机械系统技术开发用于极化、相位和负载开关的射频开关。测辐射热计的发展可能会对X射线热量计、UV-IR光谱仪和太赫兹隐蔽武器探测系统产生影响。

AST-0352992 -- Richards, CaltechPlanar-antenna-coupled superconducting bolometer systems for observations at submillimeter and millimeter wavelengths will be developed. Antenna-coupled arrays have the potential to greatly increase the efficiency of observations, opening the door to new science objectives. The objectives are to fully characterize the prototype antenna-coupled bolometer design; design and test wide-band dual-polarization antennas; develop an RF "channelizer" that splits the signal from a single antenna into multiple bands; and develop RF switches using Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems techniques for polarization, phase, and load switches. The bolometer development may have impact in x-ray calorimeters, UV-IR spectrometers, and THz concealed weapons detection systems.