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Kerr, A. R., Feldman, M. J., & Pan, S. - K. (1996). Receiver noise temperature, the quantum noise limit, and the role of the zero-point fluctuations. Electronics division internal report NO. 304, , 1–10.
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Bell, M., Sergeev, A., Mitin, V., Bird, J., Verevkin, A., & Gol'tsman, G. (2007). One-dimensional resistive states in quasi-two-dimensional superconductors. arXiv:0709.0709v1 [cond-mat.supr-con], , 1–11.
Abstract: We investigate competition between one- and two-dimensional topological excitations – phase slips and vortices – in formation of resistive states in quasi-two-dimensional superconductors in a wide temperature range below the mean-field transition temperature T(C0). The widths w = 100 nm of our ultrathin NbN samples is substantially larger than the Ginzburg-Landau coherence length ξ = 4nm and the fluctuation resistivity above T(C0) has a two-dimensional character. However, our data shows that the resistivity below T(C0) is produced by one-dimensional excitations, – thermally activated phase slip strips (PSSs) overlapping the sample cross-section. We also determine the scaling phase diagram, which shows that even in wider samples the PSS contribution dominates over vortices in a substantial region of current/temperature variations. Measuring the resistivity within seven orders of magnitude, we find that the quantum phase slips can only be essential below this level.
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Prober, D. E. (1993). Superconducting terahertz mixer using a transition-edge microbolometer. Department of Applied Physics and Physics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-2157, , 2119–2121.
Abstract: We present a new device concept for a mixer element for THz frequencies. This uses a superconducting transition-edge microbridge biased at the center of its superconducting transition near 4.2 K. It is fed from an antenna or waveguide structure. Power from a local oscillator and a rf signal produce a temperature and resulting resistance variation at the difference frequency. The new aspect is the use of a very short bridge in which rapid ( < 0.1 ns) outdiffision of hot electrons occurs. This gives large intermediate frequency (if) response. The mixer offers ~4 GHz if bandwidth, z 80 Cl rf resistive impedance, good match to the if amplifier, and requires only l-20 nW of local oscillator power. The upper rf frequency is determined by antenna or waveguide properties. Predicted mixer conversion efficiency is l/8, and predicted double-sideband receiver noise temperatures are 260 and 90 K for transition widths of 0.1 and 0.5 T, respectively.
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Shklovskij V.A. (1980). Hot Electrons in Metals at Low Temperatures. J. Low Temp. Phys., 41, 375–396.
Abstract: Hot electrons in metals at helium temperatures under steady conditions can be produced by passing an electric current of moderate density through thin, narrow (-1 μm wide) metallic films in good thermal contact with bulk single-crystal dielectric substrates. This paper is concerned with the theory of hot electrons in normal metals at low temperatures (when θ<< θ(D), where θ is the average electron energy and θ(D) is the Debye temperature). The theory is formulated in terms of realistic electron and phonon dispersion laws, taking into account the experimental possibility of heat removal from the sample. In the case in which the temperature approximation of Kagnov, Lifshitz, and Tanatarov is not satisfied when elastic scattering of electrons is dominant in a steady state electric field, the kinetic equation is derived for the energy-dependent, hot electron distribution function, which determines the associated nonlinear responses. The solution of this equation is discussed for a simple model. It is shown that the experimental information on the electron-phonon interaction in a metal can be obtained in terms of the well-known spectral functions. This is illustrated by experiments determining the nonlinear field dependence of the resistance, by tunnel experiments, and by critical current hysteresis measurements (for superconducting metals). Theoretical estimates which support the observability of the effects underdiscussion are presented.
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Ekstrom H., Karasik B. S., Kollberg E.L., & Yngvesson K.S. (1995). Conversion Gain and Noise of Niobium Superconducting Hot-Electron-Mixers. IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Techn., 43, 938–947.
Abstract: A study has been done of microwave mixing at 20 GHz using the nonlinear (power dependent) resistance of thin niobium strips in the resistive state. Our experiments give evidence that electron-heating is the main cause of the nonlinear phenomenon. Also a detailed phenomenological theory for the determination of conversion properties is presented. This theory is capable of predicting the frequency-conversion loss rather accurately for arbitrary bias by examining the I-V-characteristic. Knowing the electron temperature relaxation time, and using parameters derived from the I-V-characteristic also allows us to predict the -3-dB IF bandwidth. Experimental results are in excellent agreement with the theoretical predictions. The require ments on the mode of operation and on the film parameters for minimizing the conversion loss (and even achieving conversion gain) are discussed in some detail. Our measurements demon-strate an intrinsic conversion loss as low as 1 dB. The maximum IF frequency defined for -3-dB drop in conversion gain, is about 80 MHz. Noise measurements indicate a device output noise temperature of about 50 K and SSB mixer noise temperature below 250 K. This type of mixer is considered very promising for use in low-noise heterodyne receivers at THz frequencies.
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