A Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation Polarimeter Using Superconducting Bearings
arXiv:astro-ph/0304312 · doi:10.1109/TASC.2003.813016
Abstract
Measurements of the polarization of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation are expected to significantly increase our understanding of the early universe. We present a design for a CMB polarimeter in which a cryogenically cooled half wave plate rotates by means of a high-temperature superconducting (HTS) bearing. The design is optimized for implementation in MAXIPOL, a balloon-borne CMB polarimeter. A prototype bearing, consisting of commercially available ring-shaped permanent magnet and an array of YBCO bulk HTS material, has been constructed. We measured the coefficient of friction as a function of several parameters including temperature between 15 and 80 K, rotation frequency between 0.3 and 3.5 Hz, levitation distance between 6 and 10 mm, and ambient pressure between 10^{-7} and 1 torr. The low rotational drag of the HTS bearing allows rotations for long periods of time with minimal input power and negligible wear and tear thus making this technology suitable for a future satellite mission.
6 pages, IEEE-Transactions of Applied Superconductivity, 2003, Vol. 13, in press
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- The EBEX Balloon Borne Experiment - Optics, Receiver, and Polarimetry
- Development of large radii half-wave plates for CMB satellite missions
- A cryogenic waveplate rotator for polarimetry at mm and sub-mm wavelengths
- Studies of Systematic Uncertainties for Simons Observatory: Polarization Modulator Related Effects