Showing papers by "Edward J. Wollack published in 2009"

Five-year wilkinson microwave anisotropy probe observations: cosmological interpretation

Abstract: The Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) 5-year data provide stringent limits on deviations from the minimal, six-parameter Λ cold dark matter model. We report these limits and use them to constrain the physics of cosmic inflation via Gaussianity, adiabaticity, the power spectrum of primordial fluctuations, gravitational waves, and spatial curvature. We also constrain models of dark energy via its equation of state, parity-violating interaction, and neutrino properties, such as mass and the number of species. We detect no convincing deviations from the minimal model. The six parameters and the corresponding 68% uncertainties, derived from the WMAP data combined with the distance measurements from the Type Ia supernovae (SN) and the Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAO) in the distribution of galaxies, are: Ω b h 2 = 0.02267+0.00058 –0.00059, Ω c h 2 = 0.1131 ± 0.0034, ΩΛ = 0.726 ± 0.015, ns = 0.960 ± 0.013, τ = 0.084 ± 0.016, and at k = 0.002 Mpc-1. From these, we derive σ8 = 0.812 ± 0.026, H 0 = 70.5 ± 1.3 km s-1 Mpc–1, Ω b = 0.0456 ± 0.0015, Ω c = 0.228 ± 0.013, Ω m h 2 = 0.1358+0.0037 –0.0036, z reion = 10.9 ± 1.4, and t 0 = 13.72 ± 0.12 Gyr. With the WMAP data combined with BAO and SN, we find the limit on the tensor-to-scalar ratio of r 1 is disfavored even when gravitational waves are included, which constrains the models of inflation that can produce significant gravitational waves, such as chaotic or power-law inflation models, or a blue spectrum, such as hybrid inflation models. We obtain tight, simultaneous limits on the (constant) equation of state of dark energy and the spatial curvature of the universe: –0.14 < 1 + w < 0.12(95%CL) and –0.0179 < Ω k < 0.0081(95%CL). We provide a set of WMAP distance priors, to test a variety of dark energy models with spatial curvature. We test a time-dependent w with a present value constrained as –0.33 < 1 + w 0 < 0.21 (95% CL). Temperature and dark matter fluctuations are found to obey the adiabatic relation to within 8.9% and 2.1% for the axion-type and curvaton-type dark matter, respectively. The power spectra of TB and EB correlations constrain a parity-violating interaction, which rotates the polarization angle and converts E to B. The polarization angle could not be rotated more than –59 < Δα < 24 (95% CL) between the decoupling and the present epoch. We find the limit on the total mass of massive neutrinos of ∑m ν < 0.67 eV(95%CL), which is free from the uncertainty in the normalization of the large-scale structure data. The number of relativistic degrees of freedom (dof), expressed in units of the effective number of neutrino species, is constrained as N eff = 4.4 ± 1.5 (68%), consistent with the standard value of 3.04. Finally, quantitative limits on physically-motivated primordial non-Gaussianity parameters are –9 < f local NL < 111 (95% CL) and –151 < f equil NL < 253 (95% CL) for the local and equilateral models, respectively.

Five-Year Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe Observations: Data Processing, Sky Maps, and Basic Results

Abstract: The Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) is a Medium-Class Explorer (MIDEX) satellite aimed at elucidating cosmology through full-sky observations of the cosmic microwave background (CMB). The WMAP full-sky maps of the temperature and polarization anisotropy in five frequency bands provide our most accurate view to date of conditions in the early universe. The multi-frequency data facilitate the separation of the CMB signal from foreground emission arising both from our Galaxy and from extragalactic sources. The CMB angular power spectrum derived from these maps exhibits a highly coherent acoustic peak structure which makes it possible to extract a wealth of information about the composition and history of the universe. as well as the processes that seeded the fluctuations. WMAP data have played a key role in establishing ACDM as the new standard model of cosmology (Bennett et al. 2003: Spergel et al. 2003; Hinshaw et al. 2007: Spergel et al. 2007): a flat universe dominated by dark energy, supplemented by dark matter and atoms with density fluctuations seeded by a Gaussian, adiabatic, nearly scale invariant process. The basic properties of this universe are determined by five numbers: the density of matter, the density of atoms. the age of the universe (or equivalently, the Hubble constant today), the amplitude of the initial fluctuations, and their scale dependence. By accurately measuring the first few peaks in the angular power spectrum, WMAP data have enabled the following accomplishments: Showing the dark matter must be non-baryonic and interact only weakly with atoms and radiation. The WMAP measurement of the dark matter density puts important constraints on supersymmetric dark matter models and on the properties of other dark matter candidates. With five years of data and a better determination of our beam response, this measurement has been significantly improved. Precise determination of the density of atoms in the universe. The agreement between the atomic density derived from WMAP and the density inferred from the deuterium abundance is an important test of the standard big bang model. Determination of the acoustic scale at redshift z = 1090. Similarly, the recent measurement of baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO) in the galaxy power spectrum (Eisenstein et al. 2005) has determined the acoustic scale at redshift z approx. 0.35. When combined, these standard rulers accurately measure the geometry of the universe and the properties of the dark energy. These data require a nearly flat universe dominated by dark energy consistent with a cosmological constant. Precise determination of the Hubble Constant, in conjunction with BAO observations. Even when allowing curvature (Omega(sub 0) does not equal 1) and a free dark energy equation of state (w does not equal -1), the acoustic data determine the Hubble constant to within 3%. The measured value is in excellent agreement with independent results from the Hubble Key Project (Freedman et al. 2001), providing yet another important consistency test for the standard model. Significant constraint of the basic properties of the primordial fluctuations. The anti-correlation seen in the temperature/polarization (TE) correlation spectrum on 4deg scales implies that the fluctuations are primarily adiabatic and rule out defect models and isocurvature models as the primary source of fluctuations (Peiris et al. 2003).

Five-year wilkinson microwave anisotropy probe * observations: likelihoods and parameters from the wmap data

Abstract: The Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP), launched in 2001, has mapped out the Cosmic Microwave Background with unprecedented accuracy over the whole sky. Its observations have led to the establishment of a simple concordance cosmological model for the contents and evolution of the universe, consistent with virtually all other astronomical measurements. The WMAP first-year and three-year data have allowed us to place strong constraints on the parameters describing the ACDM model. a flat universe filled with baryons, cold dark matter, neutrinos. and a cosmological constant. with initial fluctuations described by nearly scale-invariant power law fluctuations, as well as placing limits on extensions to this simple model (Spergel et al. 2003. 2007). With all-sky measurements of the polarization anisotropy (Kogut et al. 2003; Page et al. 2007), two orders of magnitude smaller than the intensity fluctuations. WMAP has not only given us an additional picture of the universe as it transitioned from ionized to neutral at redshift z approx.1100. but also an observation of the later reionization of the universe by the first stars. In this paper we present cosmological constraints from WMAP alone. for both the ACDM model and a set of possible extensions. We also consider tlle consistency of WMAP constraints with other recent astronomical observations. This is one of seven five-year WMAP papers. Hinshaw et al. (2008) describe the data processing and basic results. Hill et al. (2008) present new beam models arid window functions, Gold et al. (2008) describe the emission from Galactic foregrounds, and Wright et al. (2008) the emission from extra-Galactic point sources. The angular power spectra are described in Nolta et al. (2008), and Komatsu et al. (2008) present and interpret cosmological constraints based on combining WMAP with other data. WMAP observations are used to produce full-sky maps of the CMB in five frequency bands centered at 23, 33, 41, 61, and 94 GHz (Hinshaw et al. 2008). With five years of data, we are now able to place better limits on the ACDM model. as well as to move beyond it to test the composition of the universe. details of reionization. sub-dominant components, characteristics of inflation, and primordial fluctuations. We have more than doubled the amount of polarized data used for cosmological analysis. allowing a better measure of the large-scale E-mode signal (Nolta et al. 2008). To this end we describe an alternative way to remove Galactic foregrounds from low resolution polarization maps in which Galactic emission is marginalized over, providing a cross-check of our results. With longer integration we also better probe the second and third acoustic peaks in the temperature angular power spectrum, and have many more year-to-year difference maps available for cross-checking systematic effects (Hinshaw et al. 2008).

Five-year wilkinson microwave anisotropy probe observations: angular power spectra

Abstract: We present the temperature and polarization angular power spectra of the cosmic microwave background derived from the first five years of Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe data. The five-year temperature spectrum is cosmic variance limited up to multipole l = 530, and individual l-modes have signal-to-noise ratio S/N >1 for l < 920. The best-fitting six-parameter ΛCDM model has a reduced χ2 for l = 33-1000 of χ2/ν = 1.06, with a probability to exceed of 9.3%. There is now significantly improved data near the third peak which leads to improved cosmological constraints. The temperature-polarization correlation is seen with high significance. After accounting for foreground emission, the low-l reionization feature in the EE power spectrum is preferred by Δχ2 = 19.6 for optical depth τ = 0.089 by the EE data alone, and is now largely cosmic variance limited for l = 2-6. There is no evidence for cosmic signal in the BB, TB, or EB spectra after accounting for foreground emission. We find that, when averaged over l = 2-6, l(l + 1)C BB l/(2π) < 0.15 μK2 (95% CL).

Five-year wilkinson microwave anisotropy probe * observations: galactic foreground emission

Abstract: We present a new estimate of foreground emission in the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) data, using a Markov chain Monte Carlo method. The new technique delivers maps of each foreground component for a variety of foreground models with estimates of the uncertainty of each foreground component, and it provides an overall goodness-of-fit estimate. The resulting foreground maps are in broad agreement with those from previous techniques used both within the collaboration and by other authors. We find that for WMAP data, a simple model with power-law synchrotron, free-free, and thermal dust components fits 90% of the sky with a reduced χ2 ν of 1.14. However, the model does not work well inside the Galactic plane. The addition of either synchrotron steepening or a modified spinning dust model improves the fit. This component may account for up to 14% of the total flux at the Ka band (33 GHz). We find no evidence for foreground contamination of the cosmic microwave background temperature map in the 85% of the sky used for cosmological analysis.

Arcade 2 measurement of the extra-galactic sky temperature at 3-90 ghz

Abstract: The ARCADE 2 instrument has measured the absolute temperature of the sky at frequencies 3, 8, 10, 30, and 90 GHz, using an open-aperture cryogenic instrument observing at balloon altitudes with no emissive windows between the beam-forming optics and the sky. An external blackbody calibrator provides an in situ reference. Systematic errors were greatly reduced by using differential radiometers and cooling all critical components to physical temperatures approximating the CMB temperature. A linear model is used to compare the output of each radiometer to a set of thermometers on the instrument. Small corrections are made for the residual emission from the flight train, balloon, atmosphere, and foreground Galactic emission. The ARCADE 2 data alone show an extragalactic rise of 50 ± 7 mK at 3.3 GHz in addition to a CMB temperature of 2.730 ± .004 K. Combining the ARCADE 2 data with data from the literature shows a background power law spectrum of T = 1.26 ± 0.09 [K] (�/�0) −2.60±0.04 from 22 MHz to 10 GHz (�0 = 1 GHz) in addition to a CMB temperature of 2.725 ± .001 K. Subject headings: cosmology: Cosmic Microwave Background — cosmology: Observations

Five-Year Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) Observations: Bayesian Estimation of Cosmic Microwave Background Polarization Maps

Abstract: We describe a sampling method to estimate the polarized cosmic microwave background (CMB) signal from observed maps of the sky. We use a Metropolis-within-Gibbs algorithm to estimate the polarized CMB map, containing Q and U Stokes parameters at each pixel, and its covariance matrix. These can be used as inputs for cosmological analyses. The polarized sky signal is parameterized as the sum of three components: CMB, synchrotron emission, and thermal dust emission. The polarized Galactic components are modeled with spatially varying power-law spectral indices for the synchrotron, and a fixed power law for the dust, and their component maps are estimated as by-products. We apply the method to simulated low-resolution maps with pixels of side 7.2 deg, using diagonal and full noise realizations drawn from the WMAP noise matrices. The CMB maps are recovered with goodness of fit consistent with errors. Computing the likelihood of the E-mode power in the maps as a function of optical depth to reionization, {tau}, for fixed temperature anisotropy power, we recover {tau} = 0.091 {+-} 0.019 for a simulation with input {tau} = 0.1, and mean {tau} = 0.098 averaged over 10 simulations. A 'null' simulation with no polarized CMB signal has maximum likelihoodmore » consistent with {tau} = 0. The method is applied to the five-year WMAP data, using the K, Ka, Q, and V channels. We find {tau} = 0.090 {+-} 0.019, compared to {tau} = 0.086 {+-} 0.016 from the template-cleaned maps used in the primary WMAP analysis. The synchrotron spectral index, {beta}, averaged over high signal-to-noise pixels with standard deviation {sigma}({beta}) < 0.25, but excluding {approx}6% of the sky masked in the Galactic plane, is -3.03 {+-} 0.04. This estimate does not vary significantly with Galactic latitude, although includes an informative prior.« less

Five-year wilkinson microwave anisotropy probe observations: source catalog

Abstract: We present the list of point sources found in the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) five-year maps. The technique used in the first-year and three-year analyses now finds 390 point sources, and the five-year source catalog is complete for regions of the sky away from the Galactic plane to a 2 Jy limit, with SNR >4.7 in all bands in the least covered parts of the sky. The noise at high frequencies is still mainly radiometer noise, but at low frequencies the cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropy is the largest uncertainty. A separate search of CMB-free V-W maps finds 99 sources of which all but one can be identified with known radio sources. The sources seen by WMAP are not strongly polarized. Many of the WMAP sources show significant variability from year to year, with more than a 2:1 range between the minimum and maximum fluxes.

Five-year wilkinson microwave anisotropy probe ∗ observations: beam maps and window functions

Abstract: Cosmology and other scientific results from the WMAP mission require an accurate knowledge of the beam patterns in flight. While the degree of beam knowledge for the WMAP one-year and three-year results was unprecedented for a CMB experiment, we have significantly improved the beam determination as part of the five-year data release. Physical optics fits are done on both the A and the B sides for the first time. The cutoff scale of the fitted distortions on the primary mirror is reduced by a factor of approximately 2 from previous analyses. These changes enable an improvement in the hybridization of Jupiter data with beam models, which is optimized with respect to error in the main beam solid angle. An increase in main-beam solid angle of approximately 1% is found for the V2 and W1-W4 differencing assemblies. Although the five-year results are statistically consistent with previous ones, the errors in the five-year beam transfer functions are reduced by a factor of approximately 2 as compared to the three-year analysis. We present radiometry of the planet Jupiter as a test of the beam consistency and as a calibration standard; for an individual differencing assembly. errors in the measured disk temperature are approximately 0.5%.

ARCADE 2 Observations of Galactic Radio Emission

Abstract: We use absolutely calibrated data from the ARCADE 2 flight in July 2006 to model Galactic emission at frequencies 3, 8, and 10 GHz. The spatial structure in the data is consistent with a superposition of free-free and synchrotron emission. Emission with spatial morphology traced by the Haslam 408 MHz survey has spectral index beta_synch = -2.5 +/- 0.1, with free-free emission contributing 0.10 +/- 0.01 of the total Galactic plane emission in the lowest ARCADE 2 band at 3.15 GHz. We estimate the total Galactic emission toward the polar caps using either a simple plane-parallel model with csc|b| dependence or a model of high-latitude radio emission traced by the COBE/FIRAS map of CII emission. Both methods are consistent with a single power-law over the frequency range 22 MHz to 10 GHz, with total Galactic emission towards the north polar cap T_Gal = 0.498 +/- 0.028 K and spectral index beta = -2.55 +/- 0.03 at reference frequency 1 GHz. The well calibrated ARCADE 2 maps provide a new test for spinning dust emission, based on the integrated intensity of emission from the Galactic plane instead of cross-correlations with the thermal dust spatial morphology. The Galactic plane intensity measured by ARCADE 2 is fainter than predicted by models without spinning dust, and is consistent with spinning dust contributing 0.4 +/- 0.1 of the Galactic plane emission at 22 GHz.

Feedhorn‐Coupled TES Polarimeters for Next‐Generation CMB Instruments

Abstract: The next generation of cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization experiments targeting the signatures of inflation will require unprecedented sensitivities in addition to careful control of systematics. With existing detector technologies approaching the photon noise limit, improvements in system sensitivities must come from ever‐larger focal plane arrays of millimeter‐wave detectors. We report on the design and performance of microfabricated planar orthomode transducer (OMT) coupled TES polarimeters and silicon micromachined platelet feedhorns optimized for scaling to large monolithic arrays. Future versions of these detectors are targeted for deployment in a number of upcoming CMB experiments, including ABS, SPTpol, and ACTpol.

Planar Orthomode Transducers for Feedhorn‐coupled TES Polarimeters

Abstract: We present simulations and discuss measurements of a planar orthomode transducer (OMT) being developed for use with bolometric detectors in observations of the polarization of the cosmic microwave background (CMB). This OMT couples radiation from a circular waveguide onto microstrip where it is filtered and then detected. A corrugated feed horn defines the optical beam. Simulations suggest this OMT achieves a coupling efficiency of greater than 96% with cross‐polarization below 1% over 30% bandwidth.

Fabrication of an Antenna‐Coupled Bolometer for Cosmic Microwave Background Polarimetry

Abstract: We describe the development of a detector for precise measurements of the cosmic microwave background polarization. The detector employs a waveguide to couple light between a pair of Mo/Au superconducting transition edge sensors (TES) and a feedhorn. Incorporation of an on‐chip ortho‐mode transducer (OMT) results in high isolation. The OMT is micromachined and bonded to the microstrip and TES circuits in a low temperature wafer bonding process. The wafer bonding process incorporates a buried superconducting niobium layer with a single crystal silicon layer which serves as the leg isolated TES membrane and as the microstrip dielectric. We describe the micromachining and wafer bonding process and report measurement results of the microwave circuitry operating in the 29–45 GHz band along with Johnson noise measurements of the TES membrane structures and development of Mo/Au TES operating under 100 mK.

The Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT): Beam Profiles and First SZ Cluster Maps

Abstract: The Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) is currently observing the cosmic microwave background with arcminute resolution at 148 GHz, 218 GHz, and 277 GHz. In this paper, we present ACT's first results. Data have been analyzed using a maximum-likelihood map-making method which uses B-splines to model and remove the atmospheric signal. It has been used to make high-precision beam maps from which we determine the experiment's window functions. This beam information directly impacts all subsequent analyses of the data. We also used the method to map a sample of galaxy clusters via the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) effect, and show five clusters previously detected with X-ray or SZ observations. We provide integrated Compton-y measurements for each cluster. Of particular interest is our detection of the z = 0.44 component of A3128 and our current non-detection of the low-redshift part, providing strong evidence that the further cluster is more massive as suggested by X-ray measurements. This is a compelling example of the redshift-independent mass selection of the SZ effect.

Polarization modulators for CMBPol

Abstract: We review a number of technologies that are candidates for active polarization modulators for CMBPol. The technologies are appropriate for instruments that use bolometric detectors and include birefringent crystal-based and metal-mesh-based half-wave plates, variable phase polarization modulator, Faraday rotator, and photolithographed modulators. We also give a current account of the status of millimeter-wave orthomode transducers.

Via-less microwave crossover using microstrip-CPW transitions in slotline propagation mode

Abstract: This paper presents the design of a microstrip-CPW transition where the CPW line propagates close to slotline mode. This design allows the solution to be determined entirely though analytical techniques. In addition, a planar via-less microwave crossover using this technique is proposed. The experimental results at 5 GHz show that the crossover has a minimum isolation of 32 dB. It also has low in-band insertion loss and return loss of 1.2 dB and 18 dB respectively over more than 44 % of bandwidth.

Superconducting Films for Absorber-Coupled MKID Detectors for Sub-Millimeter and Far-Infrared Astronomy

Abstract: We describe measurements of the properties, at dc, gigahertz, and terahertz frequencies, of thin (10 nm) aluminum films with 10 Omega/square normal state sheet resistance. Such films can be applied to construct microwave kinetic inductance detector arrays for submillimeter and far-infrared astronomical applications in which incident power excites quasiparticles directly in a superconducting resonator that is configured to present a matched-impedance to the high frequency radiation being detected. For films 10 nm thick, we report normal state sheet resistance, resistance-temperature curves for the superconducting transition, quality factor and kinetic inductance fraction for microwave resonators made from patterned films, and terahertz measurements of sheet impedance measured with a Fourier Transform Spectrometer. We compare properties with similar resonators made from niobium 600 nm thick.

The ARCADE 2 Instrument

Abstract: The second generation Absolute Radiometer for Cosmology, Astrophysics, and Diffuse Emission (ARCADE 2) instrument is a balloon-borne experiment to measure the radiometric temperature of the cosmic microwave background and Galactic and extra-Galactic emission at six frequencies from 3 to 90 GHz. ARCADE 2 utilizes a double-nulled design where emission from the sky is compared to that from an external cryogenic full-aperture blackbody calibrator by cryogenic switching radiometers containing internal blackbody reference loads. In order to further minimize sources of systematic error, ARCADE 2 features a cold fully open aperture with all radiometrically active components maintained at near 2.7 K without windows or other warm objects, achieved through a novel thermal design. We discuss the design and performance of the ARCADE 2 instrument in its 2005 and 2006 flights.

Observing the Evolution of the Universe

Abstract: How did the universe evolve? The fine angular scale (l>1000) temperature and polarization anisotropies in the CMB are a Rosetta stone for understanding the evolution of the universe. Through detailed measurements one may address everything from the physics of the birth of the universe to the history of star formation and the process by which galaxies formed. One may in addition track the evolution of the dark energy and discover the net neutrino mass. We are at the dawn of a new era in which hundreds of square degrees of sky can be mapped with arcminute resolution and sensitivities measured in microKelvin. Acquiring these data requires the use of special purpose telescopes such as the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT), located in Chile, and the South Pole Telescope (SPT). These new telescopes are outfitted with a new generation of custom mm-wave kilo-pixel arrays. Additional instruments are in the planning stages.

Observing the Evolution of the Universe

Abstract: How did the universe evolve? The fine angular scale (l>1000) temperature and polarization anisotropies in the CMB are a Rosetta stone for understanding the evolution of the universe. Through detailed measurements one may address everything from the physics of the birth of the universe to the history of star formation and the process by which galaxies formed. One may in addition track the evolution of the dark energy and discover the net neutrino mass. We are at the dawn of a new era in which hundreds of square degrees of sky can be mapped with arcminute resolution and sensitivities measured in microKelvin. Acquiring these data requires the use of special purpose telescopes such as the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT), located in Chile, and the South Pole Telescope (SPT). These new telescopes are outfitted with a new generation of custom mm-wave kilo-pixel arrays. Additional instruments are in the planning stages.

Design of a Transition-Edge Hot-Electron Microbolometer for Millimeter-Wave Astrophysical Observations

Abstract: We are developing a Transition-edge Hot-electron Microbolometer (THM) with the capacity to make sensitive and broadband astrophysical observations over frequencies ranging from 30-300 GHz (10-1 mm). This micron-sized bolometer consists of a superconducting bilayer Transition-Edge Sensor (TES) and a thin-film absorber. The THM employs the decoupling between electrons and phonons at low temperatures (below 300 mK) to provide thermal isolation. The devices are fabricated photolithographically and read out with Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs). We present the details of a thermal model for a THM detector and the design for new thermally optimized antenna-coupled THMs for illumination by a RF source at 40 and 100 GHz.

Transition Measurements of a Micron‐Sized Transition‐Edge Hot‐Electron Microbolometer

Abstract: We are developing a Transition‐Edge Hot‐electron Microbolometer (THM) for use in large detector array applications in millimeter‐wave astronomy. This bolometer detector consists of a superconducting bilayer TES with an overlapping thin‐film semi‐metal absorber. The detector is deposited directly on the substrate and thermal isolation of the bolometer is controlled by electron‐phonon scattering within the small volume of the detector. We present measurements characterizing the transition behavior of several micron‐sized THM test devices which are optimized for photon‐noise‐limited observations of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). We interpret these measurements in terms of a lateral proximity effect between the TES and the superconducting Nb TES leads. We discuss possible modifications to the THM design to compensate for this effect while retaining the small detector volume necessary to obtain the desired value of electron‐phonon thermal conductivity.

Materials Characterization and Integration for Background Limited Far‐Infrared Bolometric Detector Arrays

Abstract: We discuss materials characterization and integration considerations for large‐format, antenna‐coupled, low‐noise, cryogenic, bolometer arrays for far‐infrared space‐based observatories. The suitability of Bi as an antenna termination resistor and annealed gold for microstrip and groundplane, in the context of using each to optimize signal and bandwidth of the receiver is addressed. Bismuth is chosen as a candidate termination resistor material because films can be made with the 10–100 Ω/□ needed to impedance‐match the antenna in a compact, stable, and reproducible manner. We characterize both the DC electronic transport and the THz optical properties of thermally evaporated (TE) and ion assisted thermally evaporated (IAE) Bi. It is found that the residual resistance ratio of the IAE Bi is an order of magnitude higher than that of TE Bi in the relevant impedance range. Furthermore, we show that we have produced IAE Bi films with linear response across the THz band. We discuss the possibility of employing other, much lower volume, absorber materials including TiAu and PdAu alloys. A comparison of the expected noise in a standard coupling resistor for each material is made. A technique of fabricating 150 nm gold films having a low temperature resistivity equal to 3.5×10−9 Ωm via thermal annealing is also presented. We model the response of these candidate films in an antenna circuit for THz radiation.

Fundamental Limits on the Imaging and Polarisation Properties of Far-Infrared Detectors

Abstract: Far-infrared bolometric detectors are used extensively in ground-based and space-borne astronomy, and thus it is important to understand their optical behaviour precisely. We have studied the intensity and polarisation response of free-space bolometers, and shown that when the size of the absorber is reduced below a wavelength, the response changes from being that of a classical optical detector to that of a few-mode antenna. We have calculated the modal content of the reception patterns, and found that for any volumetric detector having a side length of less than a wavelength, three magnetic and three electric dipoles characterize the behaviour. The size of the absorber merely determines the relative strengths of the contributions. The same formalism can be applied to thin-film absorbers, where the induced current is forced to flow in a plane. In this case, one magnetic and two electric dipoles characterize the behaviour. The ability to model easily the intensity, polarisation, and straylight characteristics of electrically-small detectors will be of great value when designing high-performance polarimetric imaging arrays.