Low-background 3He bolometer array test facility and its use in evaluating prototype arrays for FIRST-SPIRE

P. C. Hargrave, B. Maffei, R. Hermoso, G. Gannaway, M. J. Griffin, P. A R Ade, C. V. Haynes, C. E. Tucker, S. H. Moseley, J. J. Bock, L. Rodriguez

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    We report on the imaging detector array test and evaluation program for the Spectral and Photometric Imaging REceiver (SPIRE) instrument for the Far InfraRed and Submillimetre Telescope (FIRST) satellite. Three candidate detector array technologies are under evaluation: (i) hexagonally close-packed arrays of 2 Fλ feedhorns with NTD germanium sensors; (ii) filled absorber arrays with 0.5 Fλ square pixels with ion-implanted silicon sensors; and (iii) 0.5 Fλ filled arrays with transition-edge superconducting (TES) sensors. Detector arrays are required for SPIRE bands covering the 200-700 μm range. To meet the SPIRE performance requirements, the detectors must be background limited by the thermal emission from the 80 K low-emissivity FIRST telescope, achieve a speed of response of 20 Hz, and be fabricated in sizes up to 32×32. A novel cryogenic array test facility has been built to enable a range of experiments to be carried out under low background to enable a comprehensive evaluation and calibration programme on prototype detector arrays with a minimum of disruptive warm-up/cool-down cycles. The facility will be used to compare the performance of the different array types prior to array technology selection for SPIRE.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)427-431
    Number of pages4
    JournalNuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research. Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors, and Associated Equipment
    Volume444
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 7 Apr 2000

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