Aliased noise characterization and mitigation in BICEP Array 150, 220 and 270GHz time-division multiplexed detectors
Abstract
Early observations with the BICEP Array 150 GHz (BA2-150) and 220/270 GHz (BA3-220/270) receivers revealed detector noise equivalent temperatures (NETs) higher than expected, together with substantial detector-to-detector and module-to-module scatter. Noise measurements acquired with multiplexing off and high frequency sampling demonstrate that this excess originates from elevated high-frequency detector noise that aliases into the science band during time-division multiplexing. We show that the excess high-frequency noise is correlated with anomalously large logarithmic TES transition slopes, α, resulting in elevated electrothermal loop gain and operation near the detector stability boundary. Measurements of α indicate values substantially larger than expected, consistent with the sharper superconducting transitions introduced by the inverted TES fabrication process adopted for BA2-150 and BA3-220/270 detectors. Operational mitigation strategies were investigated through both increased multiplexing rates and elevated focal-plane operating temperatures. Faster multiplexing reduces aliasing by shifting the multiplexing Nyquist frequency beyond the excess noise roll-off, while elevated bath temperatures reduce TES electrical power and loop gain, improving detector stability and reducing NET by approximately 10%. These results demonstrate the importance of balancing TES responsivity, electrothermal stability, and multiplexed readout performance in next-generation CMB polarimeters.