Explore the groundbreaking world of KID Satellites, leveraging Kinetic Inductance Detectors for advanced astrophysical observations. These specialized...
KID stands for Kinetic Inductance Detector. These are highly sensitive superconducting devices used to detect photons, particularly in the millimeter and sub-millimeter wavelength ranges, crucial for astronomical observations.
KIDs operate by detecting changes in the kinetic inductance of a superconducting resonator when photons strike it. This change alters the resonator's resonant frequency, which can be precisely measured to determine the incident photon's energy.
KID Satellites are primarily used for astrophysical research, including mapping the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB), studying galaxy formation and evolution, and observing star formation in distant, dust-obscured regions of the universe.