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Center Independent Research & Development: GSFC IRAD

Parametric Amplifiers for Detector Arrays

Completed Technology Project
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Project Description

In the type of parametric amplifier being developed in this project, a small microwave signal and a large amplitude pump wave are input. The amplifier outputs are an amplified signal at the original signal frequency, as well as an idler tone.

This project aims to make microwave parametric amplifiers with improved gain, bandwidth, sensitivity, and power dissipation.  The amplifiers would enable revolutionary astrophysics instruments with sensitive far-infrared detectors or high-resolution x-ray microcalorimeters.

Our goal is to build high gain microwave amplifiers with improved sensitivity, increased bandwidth, and less power dissipation when operated at cryogenic temperatures. Such amplifiers would improve instrument performance in future astrophysics missions. Applications include readout of far infrared detectors based on Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs), or in x-ray microcalorimeters with multiplexed microwave SQUID amplifier (mSQUID) readout systems.

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