2009 |
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Ozhegov RV, Smirnov AV, Vakhtomin YB, Smirnov KV, Divochiy AV, Goltsman GN. Ultrafast superconducting bolometer receivers for terahertz applications [abstract]. In: Proc. PIERS. 777 Concord Avenue, Suite 207 Cambridge, MA 02138: The Electromagnetics Academy; 2009. 867.
Abstract: The research by the group of Moscow State Pedagogical University into the hot-electron phenomena in thin superconducting films has led to the development of new types of detectors and their use both in fundamental and applied studies. In this paper, we present the results of testing the terahertz HEB receiver systems based on ultrathin (∼ 4 nm) NbN and MoRe detectors with a response time of 50 ps and 1 ns, respectively. We have developed three types of devices which differ in the way a terahertz signal is coupled to the detector and cover the following ranges: 0.3–3 THz, 0.1–30 THz and 25–70 THz. In the case of the receiving system optimized for 0.3–3 THz, the sensitive element (a strip of asuperconductor with planar dimensions of 0.2μm (length) by 1.7μm (width)) was integrated witha planar broadband log-spiral antenna. For additional focusing ofthe incident radiation a silicon hyperhemispherical lens was used. For the 0.1–30 THz receivingsystem, the sensitive element was patterned as parallel strips(2μm wide each) filling an area of 500×500μm2with a filling factor of 0.5. In the receivingsystem of this type we used direct coupling of the incident radiation to the sensitive element. Inthe 25–70 THz range (detector type 2/2a in Table 1) we used a square-shaped superconductingdetector with planar dimensions of 10×10μm2. Incident radiation was coupled to the detectorwith the use of a germanium hyperhemispherical lens.The response time of the above receiving systems is determined by the cooling rate of the hotelectrons in the film. That depends on the electron-phonon interaction time, which is less forultrathin NbN than in MoRe.
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Wild W, Kardashev NS, Likhachev SF, Babakin NG, Arkhipov VY, Vinogradov IS, et al. Millimetron—a large Russian-European submillimeter space observatory. Exp Astron. 2009;23(1):221–44.
Abstract: Millimetron is a Russian-led 12 m diameter submillimeter and far-infrared space observatory which is included in the Space Plan of the Russian Federation for launch around 2017. With its large collecting area and state-of-the-art receivers, it will enable unique science and allow at least one order of magnitude improvement with respect to the Herschel Space Observatory. Millimetron will be operated in two basic observing modes: as a single-dish observatory, and as an element of a ground-space very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) system. As single-dish, angular resolutions on the order of 3 to 12 arc sec will be achieved and spectral resolutions of up to a million employing heterodyne techniques. As VLBI antenna, the chosen elliptical orbit will provide extremely large VLBI baselines (beyond 300,000 km) resulting in micro-arc second angular resolution.
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2008 |
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Korneev A, Divochiy A, Marsili F, Bitauld D, Fiore A, Seleznev V, et al. Superconducting photon number resolving counter for near infrared applications. In: Tománek P, Senderáková D, Hrabovský M, editors. Proc. SPIE. Vol 7138. Spie; 2008. 713828 (1 to 5).
Abstract: We present a novel concept of photon number resolving detector based on 120-nm-wide superconducting stripes made of 4-nm-thick NbN film and connected in parallel (PNR-SSPD). The detector consisting of 5 strips demonstrate a capability to resolve up to 4 photons absorbed simultaneously with the single-photon quantum efficiency of 2.5% and negligibly low dark count rate.
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Nasr MB, Minaeva O, Goltsman GN, Sergienko AV, Saleh BE, Teich MC. Submicron axial resolution in an ultrabroadband two-photon interferometer using superconducting single-photon detectors. Opt Express. 2008;16(19):15104–8.
Abstract: We generate ultrabroadband biphotons via the process of spontaneous parametric down-conversion in a quasi-phase-matched nonlinear grating that has a linearly chirped poling period. Using these biphotons in conjunction with superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs), we measure the narrowest Hong-Ou-Mandel dip to date in a two-photon interferometer, having a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of approximately 5.7 fsec. This FWHM corresponds to a quantum optical coherence tomography (QOCT) axial resolution of 0.85 µm. Our results indicate that a high flux of nonoverlapping biphotons may be generated, as required in many applications of nonclassical light.
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Ryabchun SA, Tretyakov IV, Finkel MI, Maslennikov SN, Kaurova NS, Seleznev VA, et al. Fabrication and characterisation of NbN HEB mixers with in situ gold contacts. In: Proc. 19th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. Groningen, Netherlands; 2008. p. 62–7.
Abstract: We present our recent results of the fabrication and testing of NbN hot-electron bolometer mixers with in situ gold contacts. An intermediate frequency bandwidth of about 6 GHz has been measured for the mixers made of a 3.5-nm NbN film on a plane Si substrate with in situ gold contacts, compared to 3.5 GHz for devices made of the same film with ex situ gold contacts. The increase in the intermediate frequency bandwidth is attributed to additional diffusion cooling through the improved contacts, which is further supported by the its dependence on the bridge length: intermediate frequency bandwidths of 3.5 GHz and 6 GHz have been measured for devices with lengths of 0.35 μm and 0.16 μm respectively at a local oscillator frequency of 300 GHz near the superconducting transition. At a local oscillator frequency of 2.5 THz the receiver has offered a DSB noise temperature of 950 K. When compared to the previous result of 1300 K obtained at the same local oscillator frequency for devices fabricated with an ex situ route, such a low value of the noise temperature may also be attributed to the improved gold contacts.
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Smirnov KV, Vachtomin YB, Ozhegov RV, Pentin IV, Slivinskaya EV, Korneev AA, et al. Fiber coupled single photon receivers based on superconducting detectors for quantum communications and quantum cryptography. In: Tománek P, Senderáková D, Hrabovský M, editors. Proc. SPIE. Vol 7138. Spie; 2008. 713827 (1 to 6).
Abstract: At present superconducting detectors become increasingly attractive for various practical applications. In this paper we present results on the depelopment of fiber coupled receiver systems for the registration of IR single photons, optimized for telecommunication and quantum-cryptography. These receiver systems were developed on the basis of superconducting single photon detectors (SSPD) of VIS and IR wavelength ranges. The core of the SSPD is a narrow ( 100 nm) and long ( 0,5 mm) strip in the form of a meander which is patterned from a 4-nm-thick NbN film (TC=10-11 K, jC= 5-7•106 A/cm2); the sensitive area dimensions are 10×10 μm2. The main problem to be solved while the receiver system development was optical coupling of a single-mode fiber (9 microns in diameter) with the SSPD sensitive area. Characteristics of the developed system at the optical input are as follows: quantum efficiency >10 % (at 1.3 μm), >4 % (at 1.55 μm); dark counts rate ≤1 s-1; duration of voltage pulse ≤5 ns; jitter ≤40 ps. The receiver systems have either one or two identical channels (for the case of carrying out correlation measurements) and are made as an insert in a helium storage Dewar.
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2006 |
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Goltsman GN. Submillimeter superconducting receivers for astronomy, atmospheric studies and other applications [abstract]. In: 31nd IRMW / 14th ICTE.; 2006. 177.
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Tarkhov M, Morozov D, Mauskopf P, Seleznev V, Korneev A, Kaurova N, et al. Single photon counting detector for THz radioastronomy. In: Proc. 17th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol.; 2006. p. 119–22.
Abstract: In this paper we present the results of the research on the superconducting NbN-ultrathin-film single- photon detectors (SSPD) which are capable to detect single quanta in middle IR range. The detection mechanism is based on the hotspot formation in quasi-two-dimensional superconducting structures upon photon absorption. Spectral measurements showed that up to 5.7 gm wavelength (52 THz) the SSPD exhibits single-photon sensitivity. Reduction of operation temperature to 1.6 K allowed us to measure quantum efficiency of -4% at 60 THz. Although further decrease of the operation temperature far below 1 K does not lead to any significant increase of quantum efficiency. We expect that the improvement of the SSPD's performance at reduced operation temperature will make SSPD a practical detector with high characteristics for much lower THz frequencies as well.
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2005 |
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Baubert J, Salez M, Merkel H, Pons P, Cherednichenko S, Lecomte B, et al. IF gain bandwidth of membrane-based NbN hot electron bolometers for SHAHIRA. IEEE Trans Appl Supercond. 2005;15(2):507–10.
Abstract: SHAHIRA (Submm Heterodyne Array for HIgh-speed Radio Astronomy) is a project supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) and is designed to fly on the SOFIA observatory. A quasi-optic design has been chosen for 2.5/2.7 THz and 4.7 THz, for hydroxyde radical OH, deuterated hydrogen HD and neutral atomic oxygen OI lines observations. Hot electron bolometers (HEBs) have been processed on 1 /spl mu/m thick SiO/sub 2//Si/sub 3/N/sub 4/ stress-less membranes. In this paper we analyse the intermediate frequency (IF) gain bandwidth from the theoretical point of view, and compare it to measurements.
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Bryerton E, Percy R, Bass R, Schultz J, Oluleye O, Lichtenberger A, et al. Receiver measurements of pHEB beam lead mixers on 3-μm silicon. In: Proc. 30th IRMMW / 13th THz.; 2005. p. 271–2.
Abstract: We report on receiver noise measurement results of phonon-cooled HEB beam lead mixers on 3 μm thick silicon. This type of ultra-thin mixer chip with integrated beam leads allows easy assembly into a block and holds great promise for array integration. Receiver measurements from 600-720 GHz are presented with a minimum noise temperature of 500 K at 666 GHz. These results verify the mixer performance of the SOI processing techniques allowing for further design and integration of SOI pHEB mixers in receivers operating above 1 THz.
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