Future Developments in Low Temperature Detectors for CMB and Submm Astronomy

We summarize the wide range of current and upcoming developments in low temperature detectors for CMB and submillimeter astronomy. We discuss work in sensor development, photon coupling and filtering architectures, and polarimetry and how these tie to applications requirements

Ion‐implanted charge collection contacts for high purity silicon detectors operated at 20 mK

We have developed a technique for fabricating high resolution, ohmic contacts for cryogenic silicon detectors operated at temperatures well below 1 K. In this paper, we give a detailed description of the techniques used to fabricate these boron‐implanted contacts, and present characterization data obtained on 24 test samples studied during the design phase of our program. We then describe the fabrication and operation of a 23 g prototype silicon hybrid detector which simultaneously senses both the phonons and ionization produced by a single event, and which incorporates these new contacts into its design. Finally, we present data obtained using a radioactive source of 241Am and this detector operated at 20 mK, and conclude that the contacts are fully sufficient for applications in particle astrophysics as well as in many other areas of physics

Observation of ballistic phonons in silicon crystals induced by α particles

We have observed the ballistic-phonon-focusing pattern along the [100] axis of a 1-mm-thick silicon crystal using α-particle bombardment as the phonon source. These experiments on phonon-mediated particle detection are performed in vacuum at about 400 mK and use titanium-superconducting-transition-edge phonon sensors on the crystal surfaces. The ballistic time of flight is confirmed in one experiment and the focusing patterns are spatially resolved in another. These data indicate that about 1/3 of the phonon energy striking the back face during the first μsec is ballistic

Measurement of loss in superconducting microstrip at millimeter-wave frequencies

We have developed a new technique for accurate measurement of the loss of superconducting microstrips at mm-wave frequencies. In this technique, we optically couple power to slot antenna, which is connected to one port of a hybrid coupler. One of the output ports of the hybrid delivers power to a series of mm-wave microstrip resonators which are capacitively coupled to a feedline followed by an MKID (microwave kinetic inductance detector) that measures the transmitted power. Two other MKIDs are connected to the remaining ports of the hybrid to measure the total incident optical power and the power reflected from the mm-wave resonators, allowing |S_(21)|^2 and |S_(11)|^2 to be accurately determined and resonance frequency fr and quality factor Q to be retrieved. We have fabricated such a Nb/SiO_2/Nb microstrip loss test device which contains several mm- wave resonators with f_r~100 GHz and measured it at 30 mK. All the resonators have shown internal quality factor Qi~500–2000, suggesting a loss tangent of ~5×10^(−4)−2×10^(−3) for the SiO_2 in use. For comparison, we have also fabricated a 5 GHz microstrip resonator on the same chip and measured it with a network analyzer. The loss tangent at 5 GHz derived from fitting the f_0 and Q data to the two-level system (TLS) model is 6×10^(−4), about the same as from the mm-wave measurement. This suggests that the loss at both microwave and mm-wave frequencies is probably dominated by the TLS in SiO_2. Our results are of direct interest to mm/submm direct detection applications which use microstrip transmission lines (such as antenna-coupled MKIDs and transition-edge sensors), and other applications (such as on-chip filters). Our measurement technique is applicable up to approximately 1 THz and can be used to investigate a range of dielectrics

Quasiparticle Trapping in Microwave Kinetic Inductance Strip Detectors

Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs) are thin-film, superconducting resonators, which are attractive for making large detector arrays due to their natural frequency domain multiplexing at GHz frequencies. For X-ray to IR wavelengths, MKIDs can provide high-resolution energy and timing information for each incoming photon. By fabricating strip detectors consisting of a rectangular absorber coupled to MKIDs at each end, high quantum efficiency and spatial resolution can be obtained. A similar geometry is being pursued for phonon sensing in a WIMP dark matter detector. Various materials have been tested including tantalum, tin, and aluminum for the absorbing strip, and aluminum, titanium, and aluminum manganese for the MKID. Initial Ta/Al X-ray devices have shown energy resolutions as good as 62 eV at 6 keV. A Ta/Al UV strip detector with an energy resolution of 0.8 eV at 4.9 eV has been demonstrated, but we find the coupling of the MKIDs to the absorbers is unreliable for these thinner devices. We report on progress probing the thicknesses at which the absorber/MKID coupling begins to degrade by using a resonator to inject quasiparticles directly into the absorber. In order to eliminate the absorber/MKID interface, a modified design for implanted AlMn/Al UV strip detectors was developed, and results showing good transmission of quasiparticles from the absorber to MKID in these devices are presented

Improving reading comprehension through the formation of mental images

This literature review explores recent research to support the hypothesis that training students to form mental images will facilitate comprehension and enable the reader to find more enjoyment while engaged in the reading process. There is a relationship between forming mental images and age. Beginning readers need illustrations to enhance comprehension; however, by the third grade level many students are able to improve their comprehension when instructed in forming mental images. Among poor comprehenders mental imagery was shown to be effective as a memory and comprehension device. The findings of this review suggest to educators that the training of self-generated mental imagery should be given greater importance in the elementary school curriculum

Tuning of Kilopixel Transition Edge Sensor Bolometer Arrays with a Digital Frequency Multiplexed Readout System

A digital frequency multiplexing (DfMUX) system has been developed and used to tune large arrays of transition edge sensor (TES) bolometers read out with SQUID arrays for mm-wavelength cosmology telescopes. The DfMUX system multiplexes the input bias voltages and output currents for several bolometers on a single set of cryogenic wires. Multiplexing reduces the heat load on the camera's sub-Kelvin cryogenic detector stage. In this paper we describe the algorithms and software used to set up and optimize the operation of the bolometric camera. The algorithms are implemented on soft processors embedded within FPGA devices operating on each backend readout board. The result is a fully parallelized implementation for which the setup time is independent of the array size.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

The Ursinus Weekly, November 14, 1949

World traveller extends request for WSSF funds • Y group toy, clothing drive to start next week • Nola Luxford gives pattern for peace in forum address • Two experienced Englishmen to present top-notch production of Shaw\u27s satire • Students to present career conference at Collegeville-Trappe High School • WSGA begins plans for annual party; Names dorm group • Choral group sings at church concert • Frosh customs problem looms again • Sports, barn dance occupy coming weekend schedule • Reception committee plans functions for coming year • Big sisters sponsor party for charges in rec center • Editorial: Recent elections • Students participate in cheers, dancing at week-end events • Human alarm clock tolls bells for fellow students • Dr. McClure to be Scot society\u27s head • Teaching seniors endure two months of torment • Headwaiters direct organized system for campus meals • Law dean to speak at pre-legal dinner tomorrow evening • Bears drop sixth 3-0 to Lafayette booters • Women to launch intramural hockey • Hockey squad downs Penn 4-0, Beaver 4-2 • Bakermen bow 8-0 to powerful attack of Lehigh booters • PMC thumps bruins 54-7 as Caia sets cadet pace • Crusaders to visit bruins on Saturday for season\u27s finale • Harriers lose out at Allentown meet for running honorshttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1577/thumbnail.jp