SuperSpec, The On-Chip Spectrometer: Improved NEP and Antenna Performance

Abstract

SuperSpec is a new technology for mm and sub-mm spectroscopy. It is an on-chip spectrometer being developed for multi-object, moderate-resolution ( $$R\sim 300$$ ), large bandwidth survey spectroscopy of high-redshift galaxies for the 1 mm atmospheric window. This band accesses the CO ladder in the redshift range of $$z =$$ 0–4 and the [CII] 158 $$\upmu $$ m line from redshift $$z =$$ 5–9. SuperSpec employs a novel architecture in which detectors are coupled to a series of resonant filters along a single microwave feedline instead of using dispersive optics. This construction allows for the creation of a full spectrometer occupying only $$\sim 10\,\hbox {cm}^2$$ of silicon, a reduction in size of several orders of magnitude when compared to standard grating spectrometers. This small profile enables the production of future multi-beam spectroscopic instruments envisioned for the millimeter band to measure the redshifts of dusty galaxies efficiently. The SuperSpec collaboration is currently pushing toward the deployment of a SuperSpec demonstration instrument in fall of 2018. The progress with the latest SuperSpec prototype devices is presented; reporting increased responsivity via a reduced inductor volume (2.6 $$\upmu \hbox {m}^3$$ ) and the incorporation of a new broadband antenna. A detector NEP of 3–4 $$\times 10^{-18}$$ W/Hz $$^{0.5}$$ is obtained, sufficient for background-limited observation on mountaintop sites. In addition, beam maps and efficiency measurements of a new wide-band dual bow-tie slot antenna are shown.