Leaky Lens based UWB focal plane arrays for sub-mm wave imaging based on Kinetic Inductance detectors

This work highlights some of the results of a cooperation between TNO and SRON (Space Research Organization Netherlands) which is now going on with renewed efforts since almost two years. A novel strategy for broad band focal plane array design is proposed. Its purpose is to couple the radiation from a large F/D reflector system to an array of kinetic inductance detectors that are being investigated at SRON to be used in Space science missions such as SPICA [1]. To maximize the benefits from using their BW properties one idea is to use leaky lens based array elements, as imaging pixels, however other possibilities are also envisaged.