Focal Plane Array for the Future Ground-based Astronomical Cameras

Background: 

Space Research Organisation of the Netherlands (SRON) in collaboration with TU Delft and Max Planck Institute developed a kilo-pixel imaging camera for APEX telescope, AMKID, operating at dual bands of 350 and 850 GHz.

In this MSc project we will explore scalable focal plane array (FPA) solutions for the next generation of such an instrument. We will do so by developing lens-absorber arrays coupled to Kinetic Inductance Detectors (KIDs). KIDs are superconductive detectors ideal for such hypersensitive observations; and SRON is one of the leading institutes in the world on KID technology. Lens-absorbers are the prime candidate for the EM coupling mechanism here to achieve a very large number of pixels in the camera since they are easier to scale up with respect to lens-antennas (used in AMKID) in terms of cost and fabrication complexity.

Master Thesis Project:

•  Designing the lens-absorber FPA to satisfy the EM requirements of the instrument.

•  Designing the KID array to satisfy the multiplexing and sensitivity requirements of the instrument.

•  Involvement with the cryogenic characterization of the designed detector module at SRON facilities.

Supervisory team: Jochem Baselmans, Shahab Dabironezare, Daan Roos (PhD)

Contact

Last modified: 2025-12-02