Next Generation Readout system for KIDs
Lead Research Organisation:
Durham University
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
Kinetic Inductance Detectors are an emerging transformational technology that are beginning to be used in a wide range of applications. They employ a superconducting sensor that is extremely sensitive for detecting light across a wide range of the electro-magnetic spectrum. One of the key technologies for such system is the data-acquisition system that uses powerful FPGAs to drive a Software Defined Radio system. This project will help to deliver an order of magnitude step in capabilities of the read-out system through the application to the latest industrial developments in the area of RF System-on-Chip devices. The leap in capabilities from this development will help to drive the next generation of KID devices that are being developed in Europe and the US. The proposed project will enable us to become a key partner in the development of this system. This will open opportunities for UK partners to exploit this technology in areas such as ground-based astronomy, space-based astronomy and remote sensing, medical imaging and quantum technologies.
Planned Impact
KIDs research combines many areas that play an important role in the high-tech economy; superconductivity, cryogenics, RF engineering, high-speed digital signal processing, as well as optics and software design. The skills developed through this work will contribute to these areas through the training of PhD students and the presentation of the results of this research at scientific conferences. In order to assess the potential impact outside of the direct fields of research, we are investigating the potential for this technology in other UKRI fields of research such as life and healthcare sciences.
Indirectly, this research is part of the portfolio of research from the Centre for Advanced Instrumentation and Durham Astronomy Research Cluster. DARC has a wide-ranging programme to engage the public with our research and to boost the participation of local school pupils in Physics and Astronomy. This is also an important part of the training of early-stage researchers. Our outreach activity takes on various formats, including participation in exhibitions, public lectures, a travelling planetarium and dissemination in the media.
Indirectly, this research is part of the portfolio of research from the Centre for Advanced Instrumentation and Durham Astronomy Research Cluster. DARC has a wide-ranging programme to engage the public with our research and to boost the participation of local school pupils in Physics and Astronomy. This is also an important part of the training of early-stage researchers. Our outreach activity takes on various formats, including participation in exhibitions, public lectures, a travelling planetarium and dissemination in the media.
People |
ORCID iD |
Kieran O'Brien (Principal Investigator) | |
Deli Geng (Researcher) |
Publications
Dodkins R
(2020)
First Principle Simulator of a Stochastically Varying Image Plane for Photon-counting High Contrast Applications
in Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Hofmann V
(2022)
What could KIDSpec, a new MKID spectrograph, do on the ELT?
Hofmann V
(2022)
What could KIDSpec, a new MKID spectrograph, do on the ELT?
Hofmann V
(2023)
KSIM: simulating KIDSpec, a Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detector spectrograph for the optical/NIR
in RAS Techniques and Instruments
O'Brien K
(2020)
KIDSpec: An MKID-Based Medium-Resolution, Integral Field Spectrograph
in Journal of Low Temperature Physics
O'Connor E
(2019)
Energy-sensitive detectors for astronomy: Past, present and future
in New Astronomy Reviews
Description | UK-Ireland Kinetic Inductance Detector development |
Amount | £60,391 (GBP) |
Funding ID | ST/V006096/1 |
Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2020 |
End | 03/2021 |
Description | Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies - MKID development |
Organisation | Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies |
Country | Ireland |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We are developing a digital read-out system for MKIDs that will be used by the collaboration. We are working on the design and implementation of the electronics as well as the development of the firmware. |
Collaborator Contribution | DIAS are working on the test and validation of the system as well as the firmware design. |
Impact | Development roadmap for digital readout system |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | SRON devices |
Organisation | SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research |
Country | Netherlands |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We develop instrumentation based around MKID devices. We characterise and feedback our results to the partner. |
Collaborator Contribution | SRON develop MKID devices and send them to us for use in our instrumentation. |
Impact | We have tested a 36 pixel MKID array. |
Start Year | 2021 |