SCUBA-2: A Large-Format CCD-Style Imager for Submillimeter Astronomy

We describe the capabilities of SCUBA-2, the first CCD-like imager for submillimeter astronomy, and the technologies that make it possible. Unlike previous detectors using discrete bolometers, SCUBA-2 has two dc-coupled, monolithic arrays with a total of similar to 10,000 bolometers. SCUBA-2's absorber-coupled pixels use superconducting transition edge sensors operating at similar to 120 mK for photon-noise limited performance and a SQUID time-domain multiplexer for readout. It will offer simultaneous, imaging of an 8 x 8 arcmin field of view at wavelengths of 850 mu m and 450 mu m. SCUBA-2 is expected to have a huge impact on the study of galaxy formation and evolution in the early Universe as well as star and planet formation in our own Galaxy. Mapping the sky to the same S/N up to 1000 times faster than SCUBA, SCUBA-2 will also act as a pathfinder for submillimeter interferometers such as ALMA. SCUBA-2 will begin operation on the JCMT in 2006.