Energy-sensitive detectors for astronomy: Past, present and future

• Published in: New astronomy reviews 2019-12, Vol.87, p.101526, Article 101526
• Main Authors: O’Connor, E.G.P., Shearer, A., O’Brien, K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Detectors; Low temperature detectors; Spectroscopy; Superconducting detectors
• ISSN: 1387-6473; 1872-9630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.newar.2020.101526

•Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs) are reaching technological maturity.•For astronomy applications the development of Transition Edge Sensors (TESs) and Superconducting Tunnelling Junctions (STJs) has apparently stalled.•Subject to future cost reductions, MKIDs offer the largest developmental potential of all of the energy-sensitive detector types. [Display omitted] This review encompasses the current state of development of optical/IR energy-sensitive detectors with reference to both the earliest implementations of energy sensitive detector technology, and current development projects with a discussion of their future developmental potential. The review will focus mainly on detectors with reasonable detection efficiency in the optical (400–700 nm) and Near Infrared (700 nm - 5 μm) region of the electromagnetic spectrum, but will also discuss applications at longer wavelengths which may be useful for future optical-NIR sensitive sensors. The figures of merit for each of the different types of detector are presented with data current at the time of publication, these figures will be discussed with reference to the theoretical maximum performance which is expected with further development along with the timeframes during which these limits will be approached.