Performance and Deployment Status of MUSCAT: a 1500-Pixel LEKID-Based mm-Wave Camera for the Large Millimeter Telescope

ABSTRACT

The Mexico-UK Sub-Millimetre Camera for AsTronomy (MUSCAT) is a 1.1-mm band receiver consisting of 1,500 single-colour lumped-element kinetic inductance detectors and is scheduled for deployment to the Large Millimeter Telescope (LMT) after the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. MUSCAT is designed to utilise the full field of view of the LMT's upgraded 50-m primary mirror (approximately 4'). Here we will present the as-measured performance of MUSCAT from the final lab-verification testing prior to shipping to the LMT. We will also explain the overall design of MUSCAT including the novel technologies utilised-such as continuous cooling using sorption coolers and a miniature dilutor, and horn-coupled LEKIDs-for which MUSCAT will provide a first on-sky demonstration.