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Detector technology

Bolometer

A detector that measures light by the tiny rise in temperature it causes in an absorbing element — the standard way to detect the faint millimetre and submillimetre sky, including the cosmic microwave background. Cooled to a fraction of a degree above absolute zero; the South Pole Telescope's cameras use large bolometer arrays.

Used across the frontier

Knowledge connections

Sources

The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.

  • NSF NOIRLabNSF National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory

    Ground-based optical/infrared observatory data and imagery.