A superconductor–insulator–normal metal bolometer with microwave readout suitable for large-format arrays Available to Purchase

We demonstrate high bandwidth and low-noise readout of a superconductor–insulator–normal metal–insulator–superconductor hot-electron bolometer element. We measure a noise equivalent temperature of better than $0.6μK∕Hz1∕2$ and infer an electrical noise equivalent power of $7×10−17W∕Hz1∕2$ for a normal-metal volume of $4.5μm3$ at an operating temperature of $270mK$⁠. Using a pulsed bias technique we measure a thermal time constant of $1.2μs$ at $270mK$⁠. The microwave readout method we employ is compatible with large-format arrays of $103–105pixels$ required by future far-infrared space and ground-based observatories.