KIDSpec technology development: Opening a new window on the Universe, one photon at a time.

能量分辨探测器是向天文学和其他许多应用领域的“终极探测器”迈进的一步。动态电感探测器（KIDs）是一种基于超导谐振器的转型技术，它为在重要的光学和近红外（UVOIR）区域中使用大型零噪声、能量敏感（3-D）探测器阵列开辟了道路。我们的目标是汇集必要的组件，以组成第一个欧洲UVOIR KID光谱仪。虽然这些已经在组件级别进行了演示，但我们将利用我们团队的专业知识和经验来构建一个完整的系统，包括探测器，低温和读出电子设备。我们将使用该系统开发一个强大的中光谱分辨率，宽带（0.3 - 2.5微米）光谱仪的概念设计。这种动态电感探测器光谱仪（KIDSpec）将是一种独特的强大仪器，比现有的使用半导体探测器的等效仪器灵敏一个数量级以上。该仪器的核心是KIDs能够从衍射光栅中辨别出顺序。我们将在这个项目中首次展示这种能力。在项目结束时，我们将利用这一技术发展，推动在一个主要的天文台上第一台KIDSpec仪器。这种仪器非常适合E-ELT，因为零读取噪声，光子计数操作最大限度地利用了下一代望远镜巨大的收集面积。这项提案要求的适度投资将使我们能够进行一项独特的实验，但同样重要的是，它将使我们能够建立知识和经验，使英国研究人员处于这一真正革命性领域的核心。就像30年前从照相板到数字探测器的转变一样，动态电感探测器阵列有能力彻底改变天文学，这一提议将使我们站在这个新兴领域的最前沿。

Energy-resolving detectors are a step towards the 'ultimate detector' for astronomy and many other applications besides. Kinetic Inductance detectors (KIDs) are a transformational technology based on superconducting resonators that have opened the way for large arrays of zero-noise, energy sensitive (3-D) detectors in the important optical and near-IR (UVOIR) regime. Our goal is to bring together the components necessary to comprise the first european UVOIR KID spectrograph. Whilst these have been demonstrated at the component level, we will use the expertise and experience in our team to build a complete system, including the detector, cryogenics and read-out electronics. We will use this system to develop the conceptual design of a powerful medium spectral resolution, broad band (0.3 - 2.5 micrometers) spectrograph. This Kinetic Inductance Detector Spectrograph (KIDSpec) would be a uniquely powerful instrument more than an order of magnitude more sensitive than existing equivalent instrumentation using semiconductor detectors. At the heart of the instrument is the ability of the KIDs to discern the order from a diffraction grating. It is this ability that we will demonstrate for the first time with this project. At the end of the project, we will use this technology development to push forwards to the first KIDSpec instrument at a major astronomical observatory. Such an instrument is perfectly suited to the E-ELT, as the zero read-noise, photon-counting operation maximises the pay-off from the enormous collecting area of this next generation telescope.The moderate investment requested in this proposal will enable us to perform a unique experiment, but equally importantly it will enable us to build the knowledge and experience to put UK researchers at the heart of this truly revolutionary field. Kinetic Inductance Detector arrays have the capacity to revolutionise astronomy in the same manner as the move from photographic plates to digital detectors did 30 years ago and this proposal will place us at the forefront of this nascent field.