Vector beam mapping at millimeter wavelengths using a robot arm

TL;DR

This paper presents a robotic arm-based millimeter-wave vector beam mapping system designed to characterize optical components for cosmic microwave background experiments, emphasizing high precision and dynamic range.

Contribution

It introduces a novel millimeter-wave beam mapping bench using a 6-axis robot arm with custom software, achieving high dynamic range and precise positioning for CMB optical component testing.

Findings

Achieved 70 dB dynamic range in beam mapping.

Positioning error limited to 45 μm, repeatability to 10 μm.

Validated system through comprehensive testing procedures.

Abstract

Many experimental efforts are striving to provide deep maps of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) to shed light on key questions in modern cosmology. The primary science goal for some of these experiments is to further constrain the energy scale of cosmic inflation. It has been shown that these experiments are particularly sensitive to optical systematics. Near-field vector beam mapping, or holography, is now employed in a variety of CMB-focused experimental efforts due to the technique's ability to provide full details of electromagnetic field propagation through complex systems. In this proceeding, we describe the development of a measurement bench for millimeter-wave phase-sensitive beam mapping with the goal of characterizing optical components for CMB experiments. We discuss the testing of a beam scanner based on a 6-axis robot arm, the related custom control software, the readout architecture, and the overall validation of the system through various testing procedures. Dynamic range of 70 dB is demonstrated for the presented setup. With the current mechanical setup, we derive an upper limits of 45 $\mu$m on the absolute positioning error and 10 $\mu$m on positional repeatability.