Optimizing Next Generation Cosmic Microwave Background Experiments to Probe Inflation

 Image
  • Nuclear, Particle, Astroparticle and Cosmology (NUPAC) Seminars

April 7, 2026 2:00 PM
PAIS 3205

Host:
Darcy Barron
Presenter:
Wilber Dominguez (UNM)
The Cosmic Microwave Background has imprinted in it information on the initial conditions of the universe. Inflation, a period of rapid expansion at the earliest epochs, generates primordial tensor perturbations in the form of gravitational waves. In order to probe for inflation, CMB instruments will need to improve measurements of the lensing B-mode polarization signal, which acts as a foreground at small angular scales, in order to uncover the primordial B-mode signal at large angular scales which serves as a direct probe for primordial tensor perturbations. Making these measurements requires increasingly large arrays of superconducting transition edge sensors (TES) and drives the need for increasingly scalable cryogenic readout technologies. Results characterizing the thermal and electrical performance of prototype components designed for CMB-S4, including wiring and SQUID series array (SSA) amplifiers, will be presented. These results inform the design of next-generation TES readout architectures with higher multiplexing factors. The South Pole Telescope upgrade (SPT-3G+), set to deploy in 2029, will employ a microwave multiplexing readout design which will also be presented.

Upcoming Events

Search for Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay with LEGEND Using Simulation and Machine Learning
Zafer Acar (UNM)
Nuclear, Particle, Astroparticle and Cosmology (NUPAC) Seminars
May. 5, 2:00 PM
PAIS 3205

TBD
Sam Halverson (JPL)
CART Astrophysics Seminar Series
May. 7, 2:00 PM - May. 7, 3:00 PM
PAIS 3205

Title TBD
Presenter TBD
Physics and Astronomy Colloquium
May. 8, 3:30 PM - May. 8, 4:30 PM
PAIS 1100

Finals Week -- No Colloquium

Physics and Astronomy Colloquium
May. 15, 3:30 PM - May. 15, 4:30 PM
PAIS 1100

Department Convocation
Kathrin Spendier, PhD
Special Talk
May. 16, 12:00 PM - May. 16, 2:00 PM
PAIS 1100 and Lobby