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A composite bolometer follows the design of a micro-calorimeter. An absorber is kept at very low temperature (0.3 degree above absolute zero) by a weak thermal link to a heat sink. When electromagnetic radiation (photons) is absorbed, its energy is transferred to the absorber whose temperature will increase. A ultra-sensitive thermometer (thermistor) transforms the temperature variations of the absorber in electric signals, consequently amplified and digitally processed by computers.