Large-Format, Transmission-Line-Coupled Kinetic Inductance Detector Arrays for HEP at Millimeter Wavelengths

TL;DR

This paper discusses the development of large-format, transmission-line-coupled kinetic inductance detector arrays designed for millimeter-wavelength applications in high-energy physics and cosmology, emphasizing their scalability and suitability for large-scale experiments.

Contribution

It introduces microstrip-coupled KID technology for mm-wave observations and outlines R&D needed to enable large-scale, high-density detector arrays for cosmological studies.

Findings

Potential for large-scale deployment in cosmology

Advantages in fabrication and multiplexing

Suitability for high-density focal planes

Abstract

The kinetic inductance detector (KID) is a versatile and scalable detector technology with a wide range of applications. These superconducting detectors offer significant advantages: simple and robust fabrication, intrinsic multiplexing that will allow thousands of detectors to be read out with a single microwave line, and simple and low cost room temperature electronics. These strengths make KIDs especially attractive for HEP science via mm-wave cosmological studies. Examples of these potential cosmological observations include studying cosmic acceleration (Dark Energy) through measurements of the kinetic Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect, precision cosmology through ultra-deep measurements of small-scale CMB anisotropy, and mm-wave spectroscopy to map out the distribution of cosmological structure at the largest scales and highest redshifts. The principal technical challenge for these kinds of projects is the successful deployment of large-scale high-density focal planes -- a need that can be addressed by KID technology. In this paper, we present an overview of microstrip-coupled KIDs for use in mm-wave observations and outline the research and development needed to advance this class of technology and enable these upcoming large-scale experiments.