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Completed TRL 3 (started at 3, targeting 4)
This project aims to make microwave parametric amplifiers with improved gain, bandwidth, sensitivity, and power dissipation. The amplifiers would enable revolutionary astrophysics instruments with sensitive far-infrared detectors, energy-resolving photon-counting detectors, or high-resolution x-ray microcalorimeters.
Our goal is to build high gain microwave amplifiers with improved sensitivity, increased bandwidth, and less power dissipation when operated at cryogenic temperatures. Such amplifiers would improve instrument performance in future astrophysics missions. Applications include readout of Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs) with single-photon sensitivity in the far infrared, or energy-resolving capabilities in the near infrared through ultraviolet, or in x-ray microcalorimeters with multiplexed microwave SQUID amplifier (mSQUID) readout systems.
Applicable in ground-based demonstration instruments for astrophysics. Provide lower amplifier noise temperature and lower power dissipation than state-of-the art High Electron Mobility Transistors over a wide bandwidth.
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