SPTpol: an instrument for CMB polarization measurements with the South Pole Telescope

TL;DR

SPTpol is a dual-frequency polarization-sensitive camera installed on the South Pole Telescope to measure CMB polarization, aiming to detect B-modes, constrain neutrino masses, and probe inflationary signals with high sensitivity and systematic control.

Contribution

This paper introduces the design, deployment, and science goals of the SPTpol instrument, a new advanced camera for precise CMB polarization measurements.

Findings

Successfully deployed on the South Pole Telescope in 2012

Designed to detect CMB B-mode polarization and inflationary signals

Features 768 pixels with dual-frequency TES bolometers for high sensitivity

Abstract

SPTpol is a dual-frequency polarization-sensitive camera that was deployed on the 10-meter South Pole Telescope in January 2012. SPTpol will measure the polarization anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) on angular scales spanning an arcminute to several degrees. The polarization sensitivity of SPTpol will enable a detection of the CMB "B-mode" polarization from the detection of the gravitational lensing of the CMB by large scale structure, and a detection or improved upper limit on a primordial signal due to inflationary gravity waves. The two measurements can be used to constrain the sum of the neutrino masses and the energy scale of inflation. These science goals can be achieved through the polarization sensitivity of the SPTpol camera and careful control of systematics. The SPTpol camera consists of 768 pixels, each containing two transition-edge sensor (TES) bolometers coupled to orthogonal polarizations, and a total of 1536 bolometers. The pixels are sensitive to light in one of two frequency bands centered at 90 and 150 GHz, with 180 pixels at 90 GHz and 588 pixels at 150 GHz. The SPTpol design has several features designed to control polarization systematics, including: single-moded feedhorns with low cross-polarization, bolometer pairs well-matched to difference atmospheric signals, an improved ground shield design based on far-sidelobe measurements of the SPT, and a small beam to reduce temperature to polarization leakage. We present an overview of the SPTpol instrument design, project status, and science projections.