Full-Array Noise Performance of Deployment-Grade SuperSpec mm-Wave On-Chip Spectrometers

Abstract

SuperSpec is an on-chip filter bank spectrometer designed for wideband moderate-resolution spectroscopy at millimeter wavelengths, employing TiN kinetic inductance detectors. SuperSpec technology will enable large-format spectroscopic integral field units suitable for high-redshift line intensity mapping and multi-object spectrographs. In previous results, we have demonstrated noise performance in individual detectors suitable for photon noise-limited ground-based observations at excellent mm-wave sites. In these proceedings, we present the noise performance of a full R∼275 spectrometer measured using deployment-ready RF hardware and software. We report typical noise equivalent powers through the full device of ∼3×10⁻¹⁶ W Hz^(−1/2) at expected sky loadings, which are photon noise dominated. Based on these results, we plan to deploy a six-spectrometer demonstration instrument to the Large Millimeter Telescope in early 2020.

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