Kinetic Inductance Detectors: Enabling kilo-pixel arrays of high sensitivity
detectors for ground- and space-based far-infrared astronomy

Reinier Janssen (JPL)

Next generation astrophysics and CMB missions, operating at mm- and sub-mm  
wavelengths, will require large format arrays of ultra-sensitive detectors. 
Kinetic Inductance Detectors (KIDs) offer the possibility of combining a high
sensitivity detector with an inherent capability of frequency-domain 
multiplexing, thereby enabling such arrays. After a short introduction on the
operation principle of KIDs, I will discuss the design philosophy of 
antenna-coupled hybrid KIDs made from NbTiN and Al. I will show that these 
hybrid NbTiN-Al KIDs are 100 times more sensitive than the bolometers in 
Planck HFI and can achieve multiplexing factors of over 1000. I will 
highlight a number of new instrument developments for both ground-based and 
space-based telescopes in which these detectors are now being implemented.