The primordial anisotropy polarization pathfinder array (PAPPA): instrument overview and status

D. T. Chuss; A. Kogut; D. Fixsen; G F. Hinshaw; M. Limon; S. H. Moseley; N. Phillips; E. Sharp; E. J. Wollack; K. U-Yen; N. Cao; T. Stevenson; W. Hsieh; M. Devlin; S. Dicker; C. Semisch; S. Barker; K. Irwin

doi:10.1117/12.671940

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16 June 2006 The primordial anisotropy polarization pathfinder array (PAPPA): instrument overview and status

D. T. Chuss, A. Kogut, D. Fixsen, G F. Hinshaw, M. Limon, S. H. Moseley, N. Phillips, E. Sharp, E. J. Wollack, K. U-Yen, N. Cao, T. Stevenson, W. Hsieh, M. Devlin, S. Dicker, C. Semisch, S. Barker, K. Irwin

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Proceedings Volume 6275, Millimeter and Submillimeter Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy III; 62751J (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.671940
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2006, Orlando, Florida , United States

Abstract

PAPPA is a balloon-based experiment designed to measure the polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background using candidate technology for an eventual Einstein Inflation Probe mission. It will survey a 20° × 20° patch of sky with 0.5° angular resolution covering 3 passbands centered at 89, 212 and 302 GHz. Detection will be accomplished via antenna-coupled transition edge sensors (TESs) with SQUID-based readouts. In the eventual flight package, band defining filters and MEMS-based polarization modulators will be incorporated into the superconducting microstrip transmission lines that terminate in resistors that are thermally coupled to the TESs. The MEMS switches will allow on-chip polarization modulation that is faster than significant detector gain variations. The initial configuration will incorporate a simplified focal plane augmented by quasioptical polarization modulation. We describe the overall instrument design and present a summary of the current progress.

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D. T. Chuss, A. Kogut, D. Fixsen, G F. Hinshaw, M. Limon, S. H. Moseley, N. Phillips, E. Sharp, E. J. Wollack, K. U-Yen, N. Cao, T. Stevenson, W. Hsieh, M. Devlin, S. Dicker, C. Semisch, S. Barker, and K. Irwin "The primordial anisotropy polarization pathfinder array (PAPPA): instrument overview and status", Proc. SPIE 6275, Millimeter and Submillimeter Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy III, 62751J (16 June 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.671940

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