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Fedorov, G., Kardakova, A., Gayduchenko, I., Voronov, B. M., Finkel, M., Klapwijk, T. M., et al. (2014). Photothermoelectric response in asymmetric carbon nanotube devices exposed to sub-THz radiation. In Proc. 25th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. (71).
Abstract: This work reports on the voltage response of asymmetric carbon nanotube devices to sub-THz radiation at the frequency of 140 GHz. The devices contain CNT’s, which are over their length partially suspended and partially Van der Waals bonded to a SiO 2 substrate, causing a difference in thermal contact. Different heat sinking of CNTs by source and drain gives rise to temperature gradient and consequent thermoelectric power (TEP) as such a device is exposed to the sub-THz radiation. Sign of the DC signal, its power and gate voltage dependence observed at room temperature are consistent with this scenario. At liquid helium temperature the observed response is more complex. DC voltage signal of an opposite sign is observed in a narrow range of gate voltages at low temperatures and under low radiation power. We argue that this may indicate a true photovoltaic response from small gap (less than 10meV) CNT’s, an effect never reported before. While it is not clear if the observed effects can be used to develop efficient THz detectors we note that the responsivity of our devices exceeds that of CNT based devices in microwave or THz range reported before at room temperature. Besides at 4.2 K notable increase of the sample conductance (at least four-fold) is observed. Our recent results with asymmetric carbon nanotube devices response to THz radiation (2.5 THz) will also be presented.
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Gao, J. R., Hiajenius, M., Yang, Z. Q., Klapwijk, T. M., Miao, W., Shi, S. C., et al. (2006). Direct comparison of the sensitivity of a spiral and a twin-slot antenna coupled HEB mixer at 1.6 THz. In Proc. 17th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. (pp. 59–62).
Abstract: To make a direct comparison of the sensitivity between a spiral and a twin slot antenna coupled HEB mixer, we designed both types of mixers and fabricated them in a single processing run and on the same wafer. Both mixers have similar dimensions of NbN bridges (1.5-2 pm x0.2 pm). At 1.6 THz we obtained a nearly identical receiver noise temperature from both mixers (only 5% difference), which is in a good agreement with the simulation based on semi analytical models for both antennas. In addition, by using a bandpass filter to reduce the direct detection effect and lowering the bath temperature to 2.4 K, we measured the lowest receiver noise temperature of 700 K at 1.63 THz using the twin-slot antenna mixer.
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Lobanov, Y., Shcherbatenko, M., Semenov, A., Kovalyuk, V., Kahl, O., Ferrari, S., et al. (2017). Superconducting nanowire single photon detector for coherent detection of weak signals. IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., 27(4), 1–5.
Abstract: Traditional photon detectors are operated in the direct detection mode, counting incident photons with a known quantum efficiency. Here, we have investigated a superconducting nanowire single photon detector (SNSPD) operated as a photon counting mixer at telecommunication wavelength around 1.5 μm. This regime of operation combines excellent sensitivity of a photon counting detector with excellent spectral resolution given by the heterodyne technique. Advantageously, we have found that low local oscillator (LO) power of the order of hundreds of femtowatts to a few picowatts is sufficient for clear observation of the incident test signal with the sensitivity approaching the quantum limit. With further optimization, the required LO power could be significantly reduced, which is promising for many practical applications, such as the development of receiver matrices or recording ultralow signals at a level of less-than-one-photon per second. In addition to a traditional NbN-based SNSPD operated with normal incidence coupling, we also use detectors with a travelling wave geometry, where a NbN nanowire is placed on the top of a Si 3 N 4 nanophotonic waveguide. This approach is fully scalable and a large number of devices could be integrated on a single chip.
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Goltsman, G. N., Shcherbatenko, M. L., Lobanov, Y. V., Kovalyuk, V. V., Kahl, O., Ferrari, S., et al. (2016). Superconducting nanowire single photon detector for coherent detection of weak optical signals. In LPHYS'16 (pp. 1–2).
Abstract: Traditionally, photon detectors are operated in a direct detection mode counting incident photonswith a known quantum efficiency. This procedure allows one to detect weak sources of radiation but allthe information about its frequency is limited by the optical filtering/resonating structures used which arenot as precise as would be required for some practical applications. In this work we propose heterodynereceiver based on a photon counting mixer which would combine excellent sensitivity of a photon countingdetector and excellent spectral resolution given by the heterodyne technique. At present, Superconducting-Nanowire-Single-Photon-Detectors (SNSPDs) [1] are widely used in a variety of applications providing thebest possible combination of the sensitivity and speed. SNSPDs demonstrate lack of drawbacks like highdark count rate or autopulsing, which are common for traditional semiconductor-based photon detectors,such as avalanche photon diodes.In our study we have investigated SNSPD operated as a photon counting mixer. To fully understandits behavior in such a regime, we have utilized experimental setup based on a couple of distributedfeedback lasers irradiating at 1.5 micrometers, one of which is being the Local Oscillator (LO) and theother mimics the test signal [2]. The SNSPD was operated in the current mode and the bias currentwas slightly below of the critical current. Advantageously, we have found that LO power needed for anoptimal mixing is of the order of hundreds of femtowatts to a few picowatts, which is promising for manypractical applications, such as receiver matrices [3]. With use of the two lasers, one can observe thevoltage pulses produced by the detected photons, and the time distribution of the pulses reproduces thefrequency difference between the lasers, forming power response at the intermediate frequency which canbe captured by either an oscilloscope (an analysis of the pulse statistics is needed) or by an RF spectrumanalyzer. Photon-counting nature of the detector ensures quantum-limited sensitivity with respect to theoptical coupling achieved. In addition to the chip SNSPD with normal incidence coupling, we use thedetectors with a travelling wave geometry design [4]. In this case a NbN nanowire is placed on the topof a Si3N4 nanophotonic waveguide, thus increasing the efficient interaction length. For this reason it ispossible to achieve almost complete absorption of photons and reduce the detector footprint. This reducesthe noise of the device together with the expansion of the bandwidth. Integrated device scheme allowsus to measure the optical losses with high accuracy. Our approach is fully scalable and, along with alarge number of devices integrated on a single chip can be adapted to the mid and far IR ranges wherephoton-counting measurement may be beneficial as well [5].Acknowledgements: This work was supported in part by the Ministry of Education and Science of theRussian Federation, contract No. 14.B25.31.0007 and by RFBR grant No. 16-32-00465.
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Gol'tsman, G. N., Kouminov, P., Goghidze, I., & Gershenzon, E. M. (1994). Nonequilibrium kinetic inductive response of YBaCuO thin films to low-power laser pulses. Phys. C: Supercond., 235-240, 1979–1980.
Abstract: Transient non-equilibrium kinetic inductive voltage response of YBaCuO thin films to 20 ps pulses of YAG:Nd laser radiation with 0.63 μm and 1.5 μm wavelength has been revealed. By increasing the sensitivity of 100 ps resolution time registration system and diminishing light intensity (fluence 0.1-1 μJ2/cm2) and transport current (density j≤105 A/cm2) we observed a perculiar bipolar signal form with nearly equal amplitudes of each sign. The integration of the kinetic inductive response over time gives the result which is qualitatively of the same form as the response in the resistive and normal states: nonequilibrium picosecond scale component followed by bolometric nanosecond. Nonequilibrium response is interpreted as suppression of order parameter by excess of quasiparticles followed by a change in resistance in the resistive state and kinetic inductance in superconductive state.
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