Prototype high angular resolution LEKIDs for NIKA2

TL;DR

This paper presents a prototype of high angular resolution LEKID arrays for NIKA2, demonstrating an 8% in-lab resolution improvement with smaller pixels, promising enhanced on-sky performance.

Contribution

Development and experimental comparison of a new LEKID pixel design with smaller inductor size for improved angular resolution in NIKA2.

Findings

8% in-lab resolution improvement

Potential 10.2" on-sky FWHM resolution

Prototype validation of pixel size reduction

Abstract

The current resolution of the NIKA2 260 GHz arrays is limited by the $1.6\times 1.5 mm^2$ inductor size on the individual pixels. In view of future updates of the instrument, we have developed a prototype array with smaller pixels that is experimentally compared to the current pixel design. We find an in-lab improvement increase of the angular resolution of 8%, promising an on-sky FWHM resolution of 10.2" using this new pixel design.