Characterizing the Dark Count Rate of a Large-Format MKID Array

• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2302.03794
• Publication Date: 2023-01-01
• Authors: Noah Swimmer; W. Hawkins Clay; Nicholas Zobrist; Benjamin A. Mazin
• Keywords: Physics - Instrumentation and Detectors; 0103 physical sciences; FOS: Physical sciences; Instrumentation and Detectors (physics.ins-det); Astrophysics - Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics; Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics (astro-ph.IM); 01 natural sciences

We present an empirical measurement of the dark count rate seen in a large-format MKID array identical to those currently use at observatories such as Subaru on Maunakea. This work provides compelling evidence for their utility future experiments that require low-count rate, quiet environments matter direct detection. Across bandpass from 0.946-1.534 eV (1310-808 nm) average $(1.847\pm0.003)\times10^{-3}$ photons/pixel/s is measured. Breaking this into 5 equal-energy bins based resolving power detectors we find $(6.26\pm0.04)\times10^{-4}$ 0.946-1.063 and $(2.73\pm0.02)\times10^{-4}$ 1.416-1.534eV. Using lower-noise readout electronics read out single pixel demonstrate events measured while detector not illuminated largely appear be combination real photons, possible fluorescence caused by cosmic rays, phonon substrate. also using measure $(9.3\pm0.9)\times10^{-4}$ over same (0.946-1.534 eV) With single-pixel characterize when are show these responses distinct photons known light sources laser, likely coming ray excitations.