| Records |
| Author |
Tong, C. Edward; Trifonov, Andrey; Blundell, Raymond; Shurakov, Alexander; Gol’tsman, Gregory |
| Title |
A digital terahertz power meter based on an NbN thin film |
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Abstract |
| Year |
2014 |
Publication |
Proc. 25th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. |
Abbreviated Journal |
Proc. 25th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. |
| Volume |
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Issue |
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Pages |
170 |
| Keywords |
waveguide NbN HEB mixers |
Abstract  |
We have further studied the effect of subjecting a superconducting Hot Electron Bolometer (HEB) element made from an NbN thin film to microwave radiation. Since the photon energy is weak, the microwave radiation does not simply heat the film, but generates a bi-static state, switching between the superconducting and normal states, upon the application of a small voltage bias. Indeed, a relaxation oscillation of a few MHz has previously been reported in this regime [1]. Switching between the superconducting and normal states modulates the reflected microwave pump power from the device. A simple homodyne setup readily recovers the spontaneous switching waveform in the time domain. The switching frequency is a function of both the bias voltage (DC heating) and the applied microwave power. In this work, we use a 0.8 THz HEB waveguide mixer for the purpose of demonstration. The applied microwave pump, coupled through a directional coupler, is at 1 GHz. Since the pump power is of the order of a few μW, a room temperature amplifier is sufficient to amplify the reflected pump power from the HEB mixer, which beats with the microwave source in a homodyne set-up. After further amplification, the switching waveform is passed onto a frequency counter. The typical frequency of the switching pulses is 3-5 MHz. It is found that the digital frequency count increases with higher microwave pump power. When the HEB mixer is subjected to additional optical power at 0.8 THz, the frequency count also increases. When we vary the incident optical power by using a wire grid attenuator, a linear relationship is observed between the frequency count and the applied optical power, over at least an order of magnitude of power. This phenomenon can be exploited to develop a digital power meter, using a very simple electronics setup. Further experiments are under way to determine the range of linearity and the accuracy of calibration transfer from the microwave to the THz regime. References 1. Y. Zhuang, and S. Yngvesson, “Detection and interpretation of bistatic effects in NbN HEB devices,” Proc. 13 th Int. Symp. Space THz Tech., 2002, pp. 463–472. |
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1366 |
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Yngvesson, K. S.; Gerecht, E.; Musante, C. F.; Zhuang, Y.; Ji, M.; Goyette, T. M.; Dickinson, J. C.; Waldman, J.; Yagoubov, P. A.; Gol’tsman, G. N.; Voronov, B. M.; Gershenzon, E. M. |
| Title |
Low-noise HEB heterodyne receivers and focal plane arrays for the THz regime using NbN |
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Conference Article |
| Year |
1999 |
Publication |
Proc. SPIE |
Abbreviated Journal |
Proc. SPIE |
| Volume |
3795 |
Issue |
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Pages |
357-368 |
| Keywords |
NbN HEB mixers |
| Abstract |
We have developed prototype HEB receivers using thin film superconducting NbN devices deposited on silicon substrates. The devices are quasi-optically coupled through a silicon lens and a self-complementary log-specific toothed antenna. We measured DSB receiver noise temperatures of 500 K (13 X hf/2k) at 1.56 THz and 1,100 K (20 X hf/2k) at 2.24 THz. Noise temperatures are expected to fall further as devices and quasi-optical coupling methods are being optimized. The measured 3 dB IF conversion gain bandwidth for one device was 3 GHz, and it is estimated that the bandwidth over which the receiver noise temperature is within 3 dB of its minimum value is 6.5 GHz which is sufficient for a number of practical applications. We will discuss our latest results and give a detailed description of our prototype setup and experiments. We will also discuss our plans for developing focal plane arrays with tens of Hot Electron Bolometric mixer elements on a single silicon substrate which will make real time imaging systems in the THz region feasible. |
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SPIE |
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Hwu, R.J.; Wu, K. |
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Terahertz and Gigahertz Photonics |
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1561 |
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Meledin, D.; Tong, C. Y.-E.; Blundell, R.; Kaurova, N.; Smirnov, K.; Voronov, B.; Gol'tsman, G. |
| Title |
The sensitivity and IF bandwidth of waveguide NbN hot electron bolometer mixers on MgO buffer layers over crystalline quartz |
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Conference Article |
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2002 |
Publication |
Proc. 13th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. |
Abbreviated Journal |
Proc. 13th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. |
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Pages |
65-72 |
| Keywords |
waveguide NbN HEB mixers |
| Abstract |
We have developed and characterized waveguide phonon-cooled NbN Hot Electron Bolometer (FMB) mixers fabricated from a 3-4 nm thick NbN film deposited on a 200nm thick MgO buffer layer over crystalline quartz. Double side band receiver noise temperatures of 900-1050 K at 1.035 THz, and 1300-1400 K at 1.26 THz have been measured at an intermediate frequency of 1.5 GHz. The intermediate frequency bandwidth, measured at 0.8 THz LO frequency, is 3.2 GHz at the optimal bias point for low noise receiver operation. |
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Cambridge, MA, USA |
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Harvard university |
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326 |
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Meledin, D.; Tong, C.-Y. E.; Blundell, R.; Goltsman, G. |
| Title |
Measurement of intermediate frequency bandwidth of hot electron bolometer mixers at terahertz frequency range |
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Journal Article |
| Year |
2003 |
Publication |
IEEE Microw. Wireless Compon. Lett. |
Abbreviated Journal |
IEEE Microw. Wireless Compon. Lett. |
| Volume |
13 |
Issue |
11 |
Pages |
493-495 |
| Keywords |
waveguide NbN HEB mixers |
| Abstract |
We have developed a new experimental setup for measuring the IF bandwidth of superconducting hot electron bolometer mixers. In our measurement system we use a chopped hot filament as a broadband signal source, and can perform a high-speed IF scan with no loss of accuracy when compared to coherent methods. Using this technique we have measured the 3 dB IF bandwidth of hot electron bolometer mixers, designed for THz frequency operation, and made from 3-4 nm thick NbN film deposited on an MgO buffer layer over crystalline quartz. |
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1531-1309 |
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1509 |
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Kawamura, J.; Tong, C.-Y. E.; Blundell, R.; Papa, D. C.; Hunter, T. R.; Patt, F.; Gol’tsman, G.; Gershenzon, E. |
| Title |
Terahertz-frequency waveguide NbN hot-electron bolometer mixer |
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Journal Article |
| Year |
2001 |
Publication |
IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. |
Abbreviated Journal |
IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. |
| Volume |
11 |
Issue |
1 |
Pages |
952-954 |
| Keywords |
NbN HEB mixers |
| Abstract |
We have developed a low-noise waveguide heterodyne receiver for operation near 1 THz using phonon-cooled NbN hot-electron bolometers. The mixer elements are submicron-sized microbridges of 4 nm-thick NbN film fabricated on a quartz substrate. Operating at a bath temperature of 4.2 K, the double-sideband receiver noise temperature is 760 K at 1.02 THz and 1100 K at 1.26 THz. The local oscillator is provided by solid-state sources, and power measured at the source is less than 1 /spl mu/W. The intermediate frequency bandwidth exceeds 2 GHz. The receiver was used to make the first ground-based heterodyne detection of a celestial spectroscopic line above 1 THz. |
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1558-2515 |
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1546 |
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