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This content will become publicly available on April 1, 2026

Title: 280-GHz aluminum MKID arrays for the Fred Young Submillimeter Telescope
First light observations of the 280-GHz instrument module of the Fred Young Submillimeter Telescope in the CCAT Collaboration are expected in 2026. The focal plane of this module will consist of three superconducting microwave kinetic inductance detector (MKID) arrays: two aluminum-based arrays and one titanium nitride array with a similar layout. We have designed, microfabricated, assembled, and characterized a large-format aluminum-based MKID array. The responsivity of the detectors matches design expectation and scales at various optical loading levels as expected for aluminum. We have determined the internal quality factors and optical efficiency of the detectors, feedhorn beam shape, and the detector band pass. The detectors are photon noise limited with the majority of the noise being white photon noise down to 1 Hz. The array matches simulated expectations and is ready for sensitive astronomical observations for CCAT. Certain commercial equipment, instruments, or materials are identified in this paper to specify the experimental procedure adequately. Such identification is not intended to imply recommendation or endorsement by NIST, nor is it intended to imply that the materials or equipment identified are necessarily the best available for the purpose.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2009767
PAR ID:
10645338
Author(s) / Creator(s):
 ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  more » ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;   « less
Publisher / Repository:
Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems, Volume 11, id. 026005 (2025).
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems
Volume:
11
Issue:
02
ISSN:
2329-4124
Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
aluminum microwave kinetic inductance detector large-format microwave kinetic inductance detector array kinetic inductance superconducting detector millimeter-wave polarimeter
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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