Abstract
Microwave kinetic inductance detectors (MKIDs) are typically readout using custom high-speed electronics and firmware, a challenging and time-intensive undertaking. We have developed a readout system for these devices using a software defined radio (SDR), a software implementation of radiofrequency signal processing. The SDR allows use of pre-existing software libraries and minimizes specialized firmware coding, a significant reduction in effort. We customized our SDR to readout mm and optical band MKIDs with resonant frequencies of 1.8-2 GHz and 2-2.2 GHz respectively. We used this readout system to measure the sensitivity of our MKIDs devices to visible light. We show that SDRs are a good candidate for small pixel count MKIDs readout systems, and make recommendations for readout systems for larger Pixel count arrays.
Original language | English |
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Article number | P07015 |
Journal | Journal of Instrumentation |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jul 2021 |
Keywords
- Detectors for UV
- Front-end electronics for detector readout
- IR photons
- Superconductive detectors (bolometers, tunnel junctions etc)
- Visible
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Instrumentation
- Mathematical Physics