Large Angle Optical Access in a Sub-Kelvin Cryostat

The development of lens-antenna-coupled aluminum-based microwave kinetic inductance detectors (MKIDs) and on-chip spectrometers needs a dedicated cryogenic setup to measure the beam patterns of the lens-antenna system over a large angular throughput and broad frequency range. This requires a careful design since the MKID has to be cooled to temperatures below [Formula: see text] to operate effectively. We developed such a cryostat with a large opening angle [Formula: see text] and an optical access with a low-pass edge at [Formula: see text] . The system is based upon a commercial pulse tube cooled 3 K system with a [Formula: see text] –[Formula: see text] sorption cooler to allow base temperatures below [Formula: see text] . A careful study of the spectral and geometric throughput was performed to minimize thermal loading on the cold stage, allowing a base temperature of [Formula: see text] . Radio-transparent multi-layer-insulation was employed as a recent development in filter technology to efficiently block near-infrared radiation.