# Modeling the electromagnetic properties of the SCUBA-2 detectors Source: [Modeling the electromagnetic properties of the SCUBA-2 detectors]() Collection index: [llms.txt]() Data updated: 2025-10-24T11:36:21.112Z Authors: Michael Audley, Giampaolo Pisano, Wayne Holland, William Duncan, William Parkes, Peter Ade (2) \_\_INSTITUTION\_6\_\_ UK Astronomy Technology Centre, (2) Cardiff University, (3) NIST Boulder, (4) Scottish Microelectronics Centre) Published: 2004-10-19T09:36:48.000Z ## Abstract SCUBA-2 is the next-generation replacement for SCUBA (Sub-millimetre Common User Bolometer Array) on the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope. Operating at 450 and 850 microns, SCUBA-2 fills the focal plane of the telescope with fully-sampled, monolithic bolometer arrays. Each SCUBA-2 pixel uses a quarter-wave slab of silicon with an implanted resistive layer and backshort as an absorber and a superconducting transition edge sensor as a thermometer. In order to verify and optimize the pixel design, we have investigated the electromagnetic behaviour of the detectors, using both a simple transmission-line model and Ansoft HFSS, a finite-element electromagnetic simulator. We used the transmission line model to fit transmission measurements of doped wafers and determined the correct implant dose for the absorbing layer. The more detailed HFSS modelling yielded some unexpected results which led us to modify the pixel design. We also verified that the detectors suffered little loss of sensitivity for off-axis angles up to about 30 degrees. ## Recorded benchmark results A research result applies to its stated dataset, split, metric and evaluation configuration. Compare like-for-like settings, preserve the metric's unit and direction, and distinguish paper-reported results from independent reproduction. The best result recorded here is not a claim of exhaustive, current global coverage. ## Original sources and implementation [Original paper]() [PDF]()