A dual-polarization mid-infrared kinetic inductance detector with photon-noise-limited performance
Abstract
The mid-infrared (MIR) regime carries rich information about planetary-atmosphere biosignatures and galaxy evolution while providing higher star-planet contrast ratios than the optical band. Advanced detectors employing diverse technologies are under development to enable MIR observations across ground-based, balloon-borne, and space platforms. We demonstrate the design, fabrication, and characterization of a superconducting dual-polarization kinetic inductance detector (KID) operating around 20 μm. The MIR KID is a lumped-element device comprising a tantalum interdigitated capacitor connected in parallel with an aluminum inductor. The inductor, which simultaneously functions as an absorber, captures signals in two orthogonal linear polarizations. In a photon-flux-integrated mode, the detector achieves photon-noise-limited performance for absorbed powers ≳1 fW, with a limiting noise equivalent power of 2.9 × 10−18 W/Hz at 300 Hz.
Article Details
Journal Info
Applied Physics Letters
American Institute of Physics
Authors (11)
Runfeng Su
Research Institute of Superconductor Electronics, School of Electronic Science and Engineering & National Key Laboratory of Microwave Photonics (Nanjing University), Nanjing University 1 , Nanjing 210023,
Rui Tan
Academy of Interdisciplinary Studies on Intelligent Molecules, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Structure and Performance for Functional Molecules, College of Chemistry
Junhua Chen
School of Pharmacy
Yuwei Zhu
Research Institute of Superconductor Electronics, School of Electronic Science and Engineering & National Key Laboratory of Microwave Photonics (Nanjing University), Nanjing University 1 , Nanjing 210023,
Tianyuan Chi
Research Institute of Superconductor Electronics, School of Electronic Science and Engineering & National Key Laboratory of Microwave Photonics (Nanjing University), Nanjing University 1 , Nanjing 210023,
Siming Zang
Research Institute of Superconductor Electronics, School of Electronic Science and Engineering & National Key Laboratory of Microwave Photonics (Nanjing University), Nanjing University 1 , Nanjing 210023,
Jingbo Wu
Xuecou Tu
Kai Zheng
Jian Chen
Peiheng Wu