NIST researchers have developed a new quantum sensor array designed to study the faint light left over from the Big Bang. Unlike traditional detectors that only measure one frequency, this “multi-chroic” design can detect two different spectral bands at once using tiny superconducting circuits. These circuits, known as transition-edge sensors, are cooled to extreme temperatures to pick up minute heat signals from photons, allowing the team to filter out noise from our own galaxy more effectively.
The technology is currently being tested on a telescope in Chile, where initial data suggests the array is performing well. Its main goal is to measure the polarization of ancient light, which could reveal details about the universe’s earliest moments, including the mass of cosmic neutrinos and potential gravity waves. This deployment marks a practical application of quantum technology in astronomy rather than a formal industry standard.
While not a universal protocol, this sensor design sets a new benchmark for sensitivity in cosmological measurements. If successful, it could provide the first quantum probe of gravity, representing ground-breaking physics for the field. The project continues to push the limits of detection technology to ensure instruments can measure signals at the extremely low levels required to unlock these fundamental secrets of the universe.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2015/06/reading-secrets-ancient-light
Keywords: transition-edge sensors, polarization measurements, multi-chroic detectors
