High-sensitivity transition-edge-sensed bolometers: Improved speed and characterization with AC and DC bias

Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 134

Abstract

We report on efforts to improve the speed of low-G far-infrared transition-edged-sensed bolometers. We use a fabrication process that does not require any dry etch steps to reduce heat capacity on the suspended device and measure a reduction in the detector time constant. However, we also measure an increase in the temperature-normalized thermal conductance (G) and a corresponding increase in the noise-equivalent power (NEP). We employ a new near-IR photon-noise technique using a near-IR laser to calibrate the frequency-domain multiplexed AC system and compare the results to a well-understood DC circuit. We measure an NEP white noise level of 0.8 aW/rtHz with a 1/f knee below 0.1 Hz and a time constant of 3.2 ms.

Authors 14

1. Logan M. Foote

   California Institute of Technology · Jet Propulsion Laboratory

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Physics, California Institute of Technology 1 , Pasadena, California 91125, USA

   Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology 2 , Pasadena, California 91125, USA

2. Michael D. Audley Aachen Netherlands Institute for Space Research 3

   Space Research Organisation Netherlands

   Affiliation as printed

   SRON, Netherlands Institute for Space Research 3 , 2333CA Leiden, The Netherlands

3. Charles Matt Bradford

   California Institute of Technology · Jet Propulsion Laboratory

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Physics, California Institute of Technology 1 , Pasadena, California 91125, USA

   Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology 2 , Pasadena, California 91125, USA

4. Gert de Lange Aachen Netherlands Institute for Space Research 3

   Space Research Organisation Netherlands

   Affiliation as printed

   SRON, Netherlands Institute for Space Research 3 , 2333CA Leiden, The Netherlands

5. P. M. Echternach

   California Institute of Technology · Jet Propulsion Laboratory

   Affiliation as printed

   Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology 2 , Pasadena, California 91125, USA

6. Dale J. Fixsen

   Goddard Space Flight Center · University of Maryland, College Park

   Affiliation as printed

   CRESST/University of Maryland 5 , College Park, Maryland 20742, USA

   Observational Cosmology Lab, Code 665, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center 4 , Greenbelt, Maryland 20771, USA

7. H. Hui

   California Institute of Technology · Jet Propulsion Laboratory

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Physics, California Institute of Technology 1 , Pasadena, California 91125, USA

   Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology 2 , Pasadena, California 91125, USA

8. Matthew E. Kenyon

   California Institute of Technology · Jet Propulsion Laboratory

   Affiliation as printed

   Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology 2 , Pasadena, California 91125, USA

9. Hien T. Nguyen

   California Institute of Technology · Jet Propulsion Laboratory

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Physics, California Institute of Technology 1 , Pasadena, California 91125, USA

   Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology 2 , Pasadena, California 91125, USA

10. Roger C. O'Brient

    California Institute of Technology · Jet Propulsion Laboratory

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Physics, California Institute of Technology 1 , Pasadena, California 91125, USA

    Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology 2 , Pasadena, California 91125, USA

11. Elmer H. Sharp

    Goddard Space Flight Center

    Affiliation as printed

    Alora Science & Design LLC 6 , 7007 Leesville Blvd, Springfield, Virginia 22151, USA

    Observational Cosmology Lab, Code 665, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center 4 , Greenbelt, Maryland 20771, USA

12. Johannes G. Staguhn

    Goddard Space Flight Center · Johns Hopkins University

    Affiliation as printed

    Observational Cosmology Lab, Code 665, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center 4 , Greenbelt, Maryland 20771, USA

    The William H. Miller III Department of Physics and Astronomy, Johns Hopkins University 7 , 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA

13. Jan van der Kuur Aachen Netherlands Institute for Space Research 3

    Space Research Organisation Netherlands

    Affiliation as printed

    SRON, Netherlands Institute for Space Research 3 , 2333CA Leiden, The Netherlands

14. Jonas Stasys Zmuidzinas

    California Institute of Technology · Jet Propulsion Laboratory

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Physics, California Institute of Technology 1 , Pasadena, California 91125, USA

    Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology 2 , Pasadena, California 91125, USA