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Finkel, M., Thierschmann, H. R., Galatro, L., Katan, A. J., Thoen, D. J., de Visser, P. J., et al. (2016). Branchline and directional THz coupler based on PECVD SiNx-technology. In 41st IRMMW-THz.
Abstract: A fabrication technology to realize THz microstrip lines and passive circuit components is developed and tested making use of a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition grown silicon nitride (PECVD SiNx) dielectric membrane. We use 2 μm thick SiNx and 300 nm thick gold layers on sapphire substrates. We fabricate a set of structures for thru-reflect-line (TRL) calibration, with the reflection standard implemented as a short through the via. We find losses of 9.5 dB/mm at 300 GHz for a 50 Ohm line. For a branchline coupler we measure 2.5 dB insertion loss, 1 dB amplitude imbalance and 21 dB isolation. Good control over the THz lines parameters is proven by similar performance of a set of 5 structures. The directional couplers show -14 dB transmission to the coupled port, -24 dB to the isolated port and -25 dB in reflection. The SiNx membrane, used as a dielectric, is compatible with atomic force microscopy (AFM) cantilevers allowing the application of this technology to the development of a THz near-field microscope.
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Averkin, A. S., Shishkin, A. G., Chichkov, V. I., Voronov, B. M., Goltsman, G. N., Karpov, A., et al. (2014). Tunable frequency-selective surface based on superconducting split-ring resonators. In 8th Metamaterials.
Abstract: We study a possibility to use the 2D superconducting metamaterial as a tunable frequency-selective surface (FSS). The proposed FSS is made of sub-wavelength size (l/14) metamaterial unit cells, where a split-ring resonator is embedded in a small iris aperture in a metal plane. The split-ring resonator is made of NbN film, and its resonance frequency is tuned by the temperature of the sample, changing the kinetic inductance of NbN film. The Ansoft HFSS simulation predicts the FSS tuning range of about 10-20 %. The developed superconducting FSS may be used as a tunable band-pass filter or modulator.
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Kawamura, J., Hunter, T. R., Tong, C. Y. E., Blundell, R., Papa, D. C., Patt, F., et al. (2002). Ground-based terahertz CO spectroscopy towards Orion. A&A, 394(1), 271–274.
Abstract: Using a superconductive hot-electron bolometer heterodyne receiver on the 10-m Heinrich Hertz Telescope on Mount Graham, Arizona, we have obtained velocity-resolved 1.037 THz CO () spectra toward several positions along the Orion Molecular Cloud (OMC-1) ridge. We confirm the general results of prior observations of high-J CO lines that show that the high temperature, , high density molecular gas, , is quite extended, found along a ~ region centered on BN/KL. However, our observations have significantly improved angular resolution, and with a beam size of we are able to spatially and kinematically discriminate the emission originating in the extended quiescent ridge from the very strong and broadened emission originating in the compact molecular outflow. The ridge emission very close to the BN/KL region appears to originate from two distinct clouds along the line of sight with and ≈ . The former component dominates the emission to the south of BN/KL and the latter to the north, with a turnover point coincident with or near BN/KL. Our evidence precludes a simple rotation of the inner ridge and lends support to a model in which there are multiple molecular clouds along the line of sight towards the Orion ridge.
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Okunev, O., Smirnov, K., Chulkova, G., Korneev, A., Lipatov, A., Gol'tsman, G., et al. (2002). Ultrafast NBN hot-electron single-photon detectors for electronic applications. In Abstracts 8-th IUMRS-ICEM.
Abstract: We present a new, simple to manufacture, single-photon detector (SPD), which can work from ultraviolet to near-infrared wavelengths of optical radiation and combines high speed of operation, high quantum efficiency (QE), and very low dark counts. The devices are superconducting and operate at temperature below 5 K. The physics of operation of our SPD is based on formation of a photon-induced resistive hotspot and subsequent appearance of a transient resistive barrier across an ultrathin and submicron-wide superconductor.
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Iomdina, E. N., Seliverstov, S., Sianosyan, A., Teplyakova, K., Rusova, A., & Goltsman, G. (2016). The prospects of using the radiation for the assessment of corneal and scleral hydration. In Acta Ophthalmol. (Vol. 94).
Abstract: Purpose
An adequate water balance (hydration extent) is one of the basic factors of normal eye function, including its external shells – the cornea and the sclera. THz systems creating images in reflected beams are likely to become ideal instruments of noninvasive testing of corneal and scleral hydration degree as THz radiation is highly sensitive to water content. The paper aims at studying the transmittance and reflectance spectra of the cornea and the sclera of rabbit and human eyes, as well as those of the whole rabbit eye, in the frequency range of 0.13–0.32 THz.
Methods
The experiments were carried out on 3 corneas and 3 rabbit scleras, 2 whole rabbit eyes, and 3 human healthy adult scleras using a specially developed THz system based on reliable and easy‐to‐use continuous wave sources: a backward‐wave oscillator and an avalanche transit‐time diode.
Results
The transmittance spectra of the cornea and the sclera and the dependence of the reflection coefficient of these tissues in THz range on water percentage content were determined. Comparison of the rabbit cornea hydrated from 73.2% to 76.3% concentration by mass demonstrated an approximately linear relationship between THz reflectivity and water concentration. The decrease of free water concentration by 1% leads to a drop of the reflectance coefficient by 13%. The parameters studied displayed noticeable differences between the sclera and the cornea of rabbits and between rabbit sclera and human sclera.
Conclusions
Preliminary results demonstrate that the proposed technique, based on continuous THz radiation, may be used to create a device for noninvasive testing of corneal and scleral hydration, which has good potential of wide‐scale practical application.
The work was supported by the Russian Foundation of Basic Research (grant No.15‐29‐03843)
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