Records |
Author |
Ryabchun, S.; Tong, C.-Y. E.; Blundell, R.; Kimberk, R.; Gol'tsman, G. |
Title |
Study of the effect of microwave radiation on the operation of HEB mixers in the terahertz frequency range |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2007 |
Publication |
IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. |
Abbreviated Journal |
IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. |
Volume |
17 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
391-394 |
Keywords |
NbN HEB mixers |
Abstract |
We have investigated the effect of injecting microwave radiation, with a frequency much lower than that corresponding to the energy gap of the superconductor, on the performance of the hot-electron bolometer mixer incorporated into a THz heterodyne receiver. More specifically, we show that exposing the mixer to microwave radiation does not cause a significant rise of the receiver noise temperature and fall of the mixer conversion gain so long as the microwave power is a small fraction of local oscillator power. The injection of a small, but controlled amount of microwave power therefore enables active compensation of local oscillator power and coupling fluctuations which can significantly degrade the gain stability of hot electron bolometer mixer receivers. |
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1051-8223 |
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1427 |
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Author |
Ryabchun, S.; Tong, C.-yu E.; Blundell, R.; Kimberk, R.; Gol’tsman, G. |
Title |
Effect of microwave radiation on the stability of terahertz hot-electron bolometer mixers |
Type |
Conference Article |
Year |
2006 |
Publication |
Proc. SPIE |
Abbreviated Journal |
Proc. SPIE |
Volume |
6373 |
Issue |
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Pages |
63730J (1 to 5) |
Keywords |
NbN HEB mixers, hot-electron bolometer mixers, stability, Allan variance, LO power fluctuations |
Abstract |
We report our studies of the effect of microwave radiation, with a frequency much lower than that corresponding to the energy gap of the superconductor, on the performance of the NbN hot-electron bolometer (HEB) mixer incorporated into a THz heterodyne receiver. It is shown that exposing the HEB mixer to microwave radiation does not result in a significant rise of the receiver noise temperature and degradation of the mixer conversion gain so long as the level of microwave power is small compared to the local oscillator drive. Hence the injection of a small, but controlled amount of microwave radiation enables active compensation of local oscillator power and coupling fluctuations which can significantly degrade the stability of HEB mixer receivers. |
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SPIE |
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Anwar, M.; DeMaria, A.J.; Shur, M.S. |
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Terahertz Physics, Devices, and Systems |
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Serial |
1441 |
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Author |
Loudkov, D.; Tong, C.-Y.E.; Blundell, R.; Kaurova, N.; Grishina, E.; Voronov, B.; Gol’tsman, G. |
Title |
An investigation of the performance of the waveguide superconducting HEB mixer at different RF embedding impedances |
Type |
Conference Article |
Year |
2005 |
Publication |
Proc. 16th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. |
Abbreviated Journal |
Proc. 16th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. |
Volume |
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Issue |
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Pages |
226-229 |
Keywords |
waveguide NbN HEB mixers |
Abstract |
We have conducted an investigation of the performance of superconducting hot-electron bolometric (HEB) mixer at 800 GHz as a function of the embedding impedance of the waveguide embedding circuit. Using a single half-height mixer block, we have developed three different mixer chip configurations, offering nominal embedding resistances of 70, 35, and 15 Ohms. Both the High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) software and scaled model impedance measurements were employed in the design process. Two batches of HEB mixers were fabricated to these designs using 3-4 nm thick NbN thin film. The mixers were characterized through receiver noise temperature measurements and Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) scans. Briefly, a minimum receiver noise temperature of 440 K was measured at a local oscillator frequency 850 GHz for a mixer of normal state resistance 62 Ohms incorporated into a circuit offering a nominal embedding impedance of 70 Ohms. We conclude from our data that, for low noise operation, the normal state resistance of the HEB mixer element should be close to that of the embedding impedance of the mixer mount. |
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1472 |
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Author |
Loudkov, D.; Tong, C.-Y. E.; Marrone, D. P.; Ryabchun, S.; Paine, S. N.; Blundell, R. |
Title |
Transmission measurements of infrared filters for low-noise terahertz receiver applications |
Type |
Conference Article |
Year |
2005 |
Publication |
Proc. 16th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. |
Abbreviated Journal |
Proc. 16th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. |
Volume |
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Issue |
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Pages |
354-357 |
Keywords |
FTS, Zitex, alkali halide, crystalline quartz, Parylene, polyethylene, IR filters, transmission, THz applications |
Abstract |
Infrared (IR) filters are very important to the efficient operation of cryogenic receivers. Usually, such filters are mounted on the radiation shield of the cryostat to reduce the heat load to the 4 K stage. Insufficient filtering may cause the temperature of the mixing element in a receiver to be excessively warm, leading to degradation in sensitivity. These filters should be effective in blocking the room temperature IR radiation from outside the cryostat, yet should be transparent across the desired signal frequency band. In the Terahertz frequency range, which is close to the infrared, it is difficult to find an inexpensive low- loss material that can provide the required IR blocking capacity. We present transmission measurements, made using a Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS), of a number of potential infrared filters between 0.4 and 1.6 THz. The filters tested include the widely-used, Teflon-based, Zitex-A and Zitex-G films, alkali halide based infrared filter, and crystalline quartz coated with Parylene, and polyethylene films. |
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1473 |
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Author |
Edward Tong, C.-Y.; Loudkov, Denis N.; Paine, Scott N.; Marrone, Dan P.; Blundell, Raymond |
Title |
Vector measurement of the beam pattern of a 1.5 THz superconducting HEB receiver |
Type |
Conference Article |
Year |
2005 |
Publication |
Proc. 16th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. |
Abbreviated Journal |
Proc. 16th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. |
Volume |
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Issue |
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Pages |
453-456 |
Keywords |
NbTiN HEB mixers |
Abstract |
Near-field vector beam pattern of the 1.5 THz superconducting Hot Electron Bolometer (HEB) receiver currently in operation in Northern Chile has been performed in our laboratory. Using an open waveguide probe, we have mapped both the amplitude and phase of the beam emerging from our 1.5 THz HEB receiver package, across a number of planes along the line of propagation of the radio-beam. With an integration time of about 100 ms per point, a signal-to-noise ratio of about 25 dB was achieved for a beam waist of 3.5 mm. These measurements have proved to be invaluable in achieving good alignment between the cryostat housing the HEB mixer and the remainder of the receiver and telescope optics. The accuracy of our beam measurement is estimated to be ±0.2 mm in position and ±5 arc minutes in angular displacement. |
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1474 |
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Author |
Meledin, D. V.; Marrone, D. P.; Tong, C.-Y. E.; Gibson, H.; Blundell, R.; Paine, S. N.; Papa, D.C.; Smith, M.; Hunter, T. R.; Battat, J.; Voronov, B.; Gol'tsman, G. |
Title |
A 1-THz superconducting hot-electron-bolometer receiver for astronomical observations |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2004 |
Publication |
IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Techn. |
Abbreviated Journal |
IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Techn. |
Volume |
52 |
Issue |
10 |
Pages |
2338-2343 |
Keywords |
NbN HEB mixer, applications |
Abstract |
In this paper, we describe a superconducting hot-electron-bolometer mixer receiver developed to operate in atmospheric windows between 800-1300 GHz. The receiver uses a waveguide mixer element made of 3-4-nm-thick NbN film deposited over crystalline quartz. This mixer yields double-sideband receiver noise temperatures of 1000 K at around 1.0 THz, and 1600 K at 1.26 THz, at an IF of 3.0 GHz. The receiver was successfully tested in the laboratory using a gas cell as a spectral line test source. It is now in use on the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory terahertz test telescope in northern Chile. |
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0018-9480 |
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Serial |
1484 |
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Author |
Tong, C.-Y. Edward; Meledin, Denis; Blundell, Raymond; Erickson, Neal; Kawamura, Jonathan; Mehdi, Imran; Gol'tsman, Gregory |
Title |
A 1.5 THz hot-electron bolometer mixer operated by a planar diode-based local oscillator |
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Abstract |
Year |
2003 |
Publication |
Proc. 14th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. |
Abbreviated Journal |
Proc. 14th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. |
Volume |
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Issue |
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Pages |
286 |
Keywords |
waveguide NbN HEB mixers |
Abstract |
We describe a 1.5 THz heterodyne receiver based on a superconductin g hot-electron bolometer mixer, which is pumped by an all-solid-state local oscillator chain. The bolometer is fabricated from a 3.5 nm-thick niobium nitride film deposited on a quartz substrate with a 200 nm-thick magnesium oxide buffer layer. The bolometer measures 0.15 fun in width and 1.5 1..tm in length. The chip consisting of the bolometer and mixer circuitry is incorporated in a fixed-tuned waveguide mixer block with a corru g ated feed horn. The local oscillator unit comprises of a cascade of four planar doublers followin g a MMIC-based W-band power amplifier. The local oscillator is coupled to the mixer using a Martin-Puplett interferometer. The local oscillator output power needed for optimal receiver performance is approximately 1 to 2 11W, and the chain is able to provide this power at a number of frequency points between 1.45 and 1.56 THz. By terminating the rf input with room temperature and 77 K loads, a Y-factor of 1.11 (DSB) has been measured at a local oscillator frequency of 1.476 THz at 3 GHz intermediate frequency. |
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Serial |
1501 |
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Author |
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 |
Type |
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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Author |
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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Author |
Tong, C. E.; Blundell, R.; Papa, D. C.; Smith, M.; Kawamura, J.; Gol'tsman, G.; Gershenzon, E.; Voronov, B. |
Title |
An all solid-state superconducting heterodyne receiver at terahertz frequencies |
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Journal Article |
Year |
1999 |
Publication |
IEEE Microw. Guid. Wave Lett. |
Abbreviated Journal |
IEEE Microw. Guid. Wave Lett. |
Volume |
9 |
Issue |
9 |
Pages |
366-368 |
Keywords |
waveguide NbN HEB mixers |
Abstract |
A superconducting hot-electron bolometer mixer-receiver operating from 1 to 1.26 THz has been developed. This heterodyne receiver employs two solid-state local oscillators each consisting of a Gunn oscillator followed by two stages of varactor frequency multiplication. The measured receiver noise temperature is 1350 K at 1.035 THz and 2700 K at 1.26 THz. This receiver demonstrates that tunable solid-state local oscillators, supplying only a few micro-watts of output power, can be used in terahertz receiver applications. |
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1051-8207 |
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1565 |
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