Measurements and analysis of optical crosstalk in a microwave kinetic inductance detector array

TL;DR

This paper measures, models, and proposes a method to mitigate optical crosstalk in MKID arrays, enabling improved array design and post-processing correction for large, sensitive detector arrays used in galaxy surveys.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive analysis of crosstalk in a large MKID array and develops a model to describe and correct crosstalk effects post-observation.

Findings

Crosstalk can be modeled as a Lorentzian function of frequency separation.

Post-processing can significantly reduce crosstalk effects in MKID images.

The array's crosstalk level can be described within 5 dB accuracy.

Abstract

The main advantage of Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detector arrays (MKID) is their multiplexing capability, which allows for building cameras with a large number of pixels and good sensitivity, particularly suitable to perform large blank galaxy surveys. However, to have as many pixels as possible it is necessary to arrange detectors close in readout frequency. Consequently KIDs overlap in frequency and are coupled to each other producing crosstalk. Because crosstalk can be only minimised by improving the array design, in this work we aim to correct for this effect a posteriori. We analysed a MKID array consisting of 880 KIDs with readout frequencies at 4-8 GHz. We measured the beam patterns for every detector in the array and described the response of each detector by using a two-dimensional Gaussian fit. Then, we identified detectors affected by crosstalk above -30 dB level from the maximum and removed the signal of the crosstalking detectors. Moreover, we modelled the crosstalk level for each KID as a function of the readout frequency separation starting from the assumption that the transmission of a KID is a Lorenztian function in power. We were able to describe the general crosstalk level of the array and the crosstalk of each KID within 5 dB, so enabling the design of future arrays with the crosstalk as a design criterion. In this work, we demonstrate that it is possible to process MKID images a posteriori to decrease the crosstalk effect, subtracting the response of each coupled KID from the original map.