A readout system for microwave kinetic inductance detectors using software defined radios. (12th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shafiee, M.; Fedorov, D.; Grossan, B.; Kizheppatt, V.; Smoot, G.F.
• Is Part Of: Journal of instrumentation. Volume 16:Number 7(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-07-12
• Subjects: Detectors for UV, visible and IR photons -- Front-end electronics for detector readout -- Superconductive detectors (bolometers, tunnel junctions etc); Scientific apparatus and instruments -- Periodicals; 502.84
• DOI: 10.1088/1748-0221/16/07/P07015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1748-0221

Abstract

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.