AlMn Transition Edge Sensors for Advanced ACTPol

Dale Li, Jason E. Austermann, James A. Beall, Daniel T. Becker, Shannon M. Duff, Patricio A. Gallardo, Shawn W. Henderson, Gene C. Hilton, Shuay Pwu Ho, Johannes Hubmayr, Brian J. Koopman, Jeffrey J. McMahon, Federico Nati, Michael D. Niemack, Christine G. Pappas, Maria Salatino, Benjamin L. Schmitt, Sara M. Simon, Suzanne T. Staggs, Jeff Van LanenJonathan T. Ward, Edward J. Wollack

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

45 Scopus citations

Abstract

Advanced ACTPol (AdvACT) will use an array of multichroic polarization-sensitive AlMn transition edge sensor (TES) bolometers read out through time-division multiplexing. Aluminum doped with a low concentration of manganese can be deposited to a bulk film thickness for a more reliable superconducting critical temperature uniformity compared to thin bilayers. To build the TES, the AlMn alloy is deposited, over Nb wiring, to a specific thickness to set the TES normal resistance. The doping concentration of manganese coarsely defines the TES critical temperature, while a fine tuning is achieved by heating the deposited film to a specific temperature. The TES island is connected to the thermal bath via four silicon-nitride membranes, where their geometry defines the thermal conductance to the temperature of the bath. Lastly, the TES heat capacity is increased by addition of PdAu electrically connected to the AlMn film. Designs and performance characteristics of these AlMn TESs are presented for use in AdvACT.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)66-73
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Low Temperature Physics
Volume184
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2016

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics

Keywords

  • AlMn
  • Bolometer
  • Critical temperature
  • Heating
  • Microfabrication
  • Superconductor
  • Thin film
  • Transition edge sensor

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