Superconducting optical photon-counting detectors for astronomy

超导探测器广泛用于天文学的大部分电磁波谱：亚毫米波到X射线。然而，他们没有取代CCD的光谱的光学部分，尽管他们的能力，实现时间分辨的光学光子计数光谱。美国有一个研究小组正在研究光学超导成像阵列，他们在很大程度上主导了该领域。博士项目的目的是进行光学KID的建模，制造和测试。我们已经制造了一些设备，但我们从未测试过，因此这项工作可以快速开始。该项目的一个关键部分将是建立测试低温下设备光学行为所需的基础设施。这项工作将侧重于理解光学KID的物理特性，特别是如何实现高光学效率。我们有相当多的经验，在理解微波和光学照明下的超导体的非平衡行为，和超导谐振器的膜上的动力学行为，这种理解可以用来支持我们的光子计数KID的分析。我们目前制造的设备包括膜上的谐振器和具有集成背衬反射器的超导光学吸收器，博士将专注于建模和测量这些设备。在适当的时候，学生将设计和制造第二代设备。这项工作将与一些国际组织合作进行。

Superconducting detectors are used extensively for astronomy throughout most of the electromagnetic spectrum: submillimetre-wave to X-ray. They have not, however, displaced CCD's in the optical part of the spectrum despite their ability to achieve time-resolved optical photon counting spectroscopy. There is one Group in the US that is working on optical superconducting imaging arrays, and they largely dominate the field. The purpose of the PhD project is to carry out modelling, manufacture, and testing of optical KIDs. We already have devices manufactured, which we have never tested, and so the work can get off to a rapid start. A key part of the project will be to build up the infrastructure needed for testing the optical behaviour of devices at low temperatures. The work will focus on understanding the physics of optical KIDs, particularly with respect to how to achieving high optical efficiencies. We have considerable experience in understanding the the non-equilibrium behaviour of superconductors under microwave and optical illumination , and the dynamical behaviour of superconducting resonators on membranes, and this understanding can be used to underpin our analysis of photon-counting KIDs. The devices we currently manufacture comprise resonators on membranes, and superconducting optical absorbers with integrated backing reflectors, and the PhD will focus on modelling and measuring these devices. In due course, the student will design and manufacture a second generation of devices. This work will be carried out in collaboration with a number of international organisations.