A Hybrid Quantum Capacitance- Kinetic Inductance far-Infrared Detector

We will develop a novel far-infrared (far-IR) detector, combining the Quantum Capacitance Detector (QCD) and the Kinetic Inductance Detector (KID) to produce an improved detector that exhibits the exquisite sensitivity capable of far-IR photon counting at lower optical loading (0.1 atto Watt), , while simultaneously maintaining the large shot-noise limited dynamic range of the KID. This will be accomplished by attaching a tunnel junction to a KID inductor/absorber. This work will build on the successful demonstration of large arrays of QCDs with Noise Equivalent Power (NEP) of the order of 1x10-20 W/Hz1/2 and the ability to detect and count 1.4 THz photons up to 10 kHz rate. It will also rely on the demonstrated large dynamic range of small volume KIDs, which remain photon noise limited up to one femto Watt of optical loading. A far-IR detector with this sensitivity and dynamic range would be a strong candidate to field the focal plane of a potential future flagship far-IR mission.

The Astrophysics Research and Analysis program (APRA) supports suborbital and suborbital-class investigations, development of detectors and supporting technology, laboratory astrophysics, and limited ground-based observing. Basic research proposals in these areas are solicited for investigations that are relevant to NASA's programs in astronomy and astrophysics, including the entire range of photons, gravitational waves, and particle astrophysics. The emphasis of this solicitation is on technologies and investigations that advance NASA astrophysics missions and goals.

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