Planck pre-launch status: the HFI instrument, from specification to actual performance
Publication date: 10 July 2010
Authors: The Planck collaboration, Lamarre, J-M., et al.
Journal: Astronomy & Astrophysics
Volume: 520
Issue: A9
Page: 20
Year: 2010
Copyright: ESO
A&A doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/200912975
Context. The High Frequency Instrument (HFI) is one of the two focal instruments of the Planck mission. It will observe the whole sky in six
bands in the 100 GHz - 1 THz range.
Aims. The HFI instrument is designed to measure the cosmic microwave background (CMB) with a sensitivity limited only by fundamental
sources: the photon noise of the CMB itself and the residuals left after the removal of foregrounds. The two high frequency bands will provide
full maps of the submillimetre sky, featuring mainly extended and point source foregrounds. Systematic effects must be kept at negligible levels
or accurately monitored so that the signal can be corrected. This paper describes the HFI design and its characteristics deduced from ground tests
and calibration.
Methods. The HFI instrumental concept and architecture are feasible only by pushing new techniques to their extreme capabilities, mainly: (i)
bolometers working at 100 mK and absorbing the radiation in grids, (ii) a dilution cooler providing 100 mK in microgravity conditions, (iii) a new
type of AC biased readout electronics and (iv) optical channels using devices inspired from radio and infrared techniques.
Results. The Planck-HFI instrument performance exceeds requirements for sensitivity and control of systematic effects. During ground-based calibration and tests, it was measured at instrument and system levels to be close to or better than the goal specification.