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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Shurakov, A., Tong, C. -yu E., Grimes, P., Blundell, R., & Golt'sman, G. (2015). A microwave reflection readout scheme for hot electron bolometric direct detector. IEEE Trans. THz Sci. Technol., 5, 81–84.
Abstract: In this paper, we propose and present data from a fast THz detector based on the repurpose of hot electron bolometer mixers (HEB) fabricated from superconducting NbN thinfilm. This detector is essentially a traditional NbN bolometer element that operates under the influence of a microwave pump. The in-jected microwave power serves the dual purpose of enhancing the detector sensitivity and reading out the impedance changes of the device in response to incidentTHz radiation. We have measured an optical Noise Equivalent Power of 4 pW/ Hz for our detector at a bath temperature of 4.2 K. The measurement frequency was 0.83 THz and the modulation frequency was 1.48 kHz. The readout
scheme is versatile and facilitates both high-speed operation as well as multi-pixel applications.
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Hovenier J.N., Adam A.J.L., Kašalynas I., Gao J.R., Klaassen T.O., Baryshev A., et al. (2006). Phase-locking on the beat signal of a two-mode 2.7 terahertz metal-metal quantum cascade laser. In Proc. Symp. IEEE/LEOS Benelux Chapter (pp. 125–128).
Abstract: We have studied the linewidth and phase-locking of a 2.7 THz quantum cascade laser by using a superconducting bolometer mixer. The 8 GHz beat signal is compared with a microwave reference with a feedback to the laser bias current. Phase locking has been demonstrated, resulting in an extremely narrow beat linewidth of less than 10 Hz. Under frequency-stabilization conditions we find that the line profile is virtually Lorentzian with a long-term minimum linewidth of the THz modes of about 6.3 kHz. Temperature dependent measurements suggestthat this linewidthdoes not approach the Schawlow-Townes limit.
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Meledin D., Pantaleev M., Pavolotsky A., Risacher C., Robles V.A.P., Belitsky V., et al. (2004). Design of a balanced waveguide HEB mixer for APEX 1.32 THz receiver. In Proc. 15th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. (pp. 211–217).
Abstract: The prototype of a waveguide balanced Hot Electron Bolometer (HEB) Terahertz mixer is designed as a part of development for the APEX Project of Band T2 receiver for 1250-1390 GHz. The proposed mixer employs balanced scheme with two identical HEB devices. These individual mixers would be placed on two separate crystalline quartz substrates with dimensions of 1000μm x67μm x17 μm each with integrated RF choke filters, DC-bias and IF circuitry. A 3 dB quadrature waveguide directional coupler is needed to provide local oscillator (LO) injection and RF signal distribution between the two HEB mixers. We have designed the coupler to achieve the required frequency band, low insertion loss and symmetrical division of the RF and LO power within the band of interest. Initial design of HEB mixer layout is developed based on a previous development for a 345 GHz sideband separation mixer. We present also results of development of microfabrication technology of the waveguide hybrid employing micromachining approach combined with electroplating technique.
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Belitsky, V., Desmaris, V., Dochev, D., Meledin, D., & Pavolotsky, A. (2011). Towards Multi-Pixel Heterodyne Terahertz Receivers. In Proc. 22th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol..
Abstract: Terahertz multi-pixel heterodyne receivers introduce multiple challenges for their implementation, mostly due to the extremely small dimensions of all components and even smaller tolerances in terms of alignment, linear dimensions and waveguide component surface quality. In this manuscript, we present a concept of terahertz multi-pixel heterodyne receiver employing optical layout using polarization split between the LO and RF. The frontend isbased on a waveguide balanced HEB mixer for the frequency band 1.6 – 2.0 THz. The balanced HEB mixer followsthe layout of earlier demonstrated APEX T2 mixer. However for the mixer presented here, we implemented split-block layout offering inimized lengths of all waveguides and thus reducing the associated RF loss. The micromachining methods employed for producing the mixer housing and the HEB mixer chip are very suitable for producing multiple structures and hence are in-line with requirements of multi-pixel receiver technology. The demonstrated relatively simple mounting of the mixer chip with self-aligning should greatly facilitate the integration of such multi-channel receiver. Index Terms—Instrumentation, Multi-pixel, Terahertz, Waveguide Balanced Mixer.
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