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Yngvesson, K. S., Gerecht, E., Musante, C. F., Zhuang, Y., Ji, M., Goyette, T. M., et al. (1999). Low-noise HEB heterodyne receivers and focal plane arrays for the THz regime using NbN. In R. J. Hwu, & K. Wu (Eds.), Proc. SPIE (Vol. 3795, pp. 357–368). SPIE.
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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Hoogeveen, R. W. M., Yagoubov, P. A., Maurellis, A., Koshelets, V. P., Shitov, S. V., Mair, U., et al. (2003). New cryogenic heterodyne techniques applied in TELIS: the balloonborne THz and submillimeter limb sounder for atmospheric research. In M. Strojnik (Ed.), Proc. SPIE (Vol. 5152, pp. 347–355). SPIE.
Abstract: We present a design concept for a new state-of-the-art balloon borne atmospheric monitor that will allow enhanced limb sounding of the Earth’s atmosphere within the submillimeter and far-infrared wavelength spectral range: TELIS, TErahertz and submm LImb Sounder. The instrument is being developed by a consortium of major European institutes that includes the Space Research Organization of the Netherlands (SRON), the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) will utilize state-of-the-art superconducting heterodyne technology and is designed to be a compact, lightweight instrument cpaable of providing broad spectral coverage, high spectral resolution and long flight duration ( 24 hours duration during a single flight campaign). The combination of high sensitivity and extensive flight duration will allow evaluation of the diurnal variation of key atmospheric constitutenets sucyh as OH, HO2, ClO, BrO togehter will onger lived constituents such as O3, HCL and N2O. Furthermore, TELIS will share a common balloon platform to that of the MIPAS-B Fourier Transform Spectrometer, developed by the Institute of Meteorology and Climate research of the over an extended spectral range. The combination of the TELIS and MIPAS instruments will provide atmospheric scientists with a very powerful observational tool. TELIS will serve as a testbed for new cryogenic heterodyne detection techniques, and as such it will act as a prelude to future spaceborne instruments planned by the European Space Agency (ESA).
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Gershenzon, E. M., & Gol'tsman, G. N. (1993). Hot-electron superconducting mixers. In J. R. Birch, & T. J. Parker (Eds.), Proc. SPIE (Vol. 2104, pp. 329–330). SPIE.
Abstract: The creation of low noise heterodyne receivers for frequencies above 1 THz is in the urgentneed for radio astronomy, laser spectroscopy, plasma diagnostic, etc. In this paper we discussthe nonlinear effect related to hot electrons in superconductors, and their potential use in lownoise submilimeter wave mixer. We also discuss results achieved so far as well as possible futuredevelopments.
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Brown, R. L. (1998). Technical specification of the Millimeter Array. In T. G. Phillips (Ed.), Proc. SPIE, Advanced Technology MMW, Radio, and Terahertz Telescopes, vol. 3357 (pp. 231–237).
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Huebers, H. - W., Semenov, A., Schubert, J., Gol’tsman, G. N., Voronov, B. M., Gershenzon, E. M., et al. (2000). NbN hot-electron bolometer as THz mixer for SOFIA. In R. K. Melugin, & H. - P. Roeser (Eds.), Proc. SPIE (Vol. 4014, pp. 195–202). SPIE.
Abstract: Heterodyne receivers for applications in astronomy need quantum limited sensitivity. We have investigated phonon- cooled NbN hot electron bolometric mixers in the frequency range from 0.7 THz to 5.2 THz. The devices were 3.5 nm thin films with an in-plane dimension of 1.7 X 0.2 micrometers 2 integrated in a complementary logarithmic spiral antenna. The best measured DSB receiver noise temperatures are 1300 K (0.7 THz), 2000 K (1.4 THz), 2100 K (1.6 THz), 2600 K (2.5 THz), 4000 K (3.1 THz), 5600 K (4.3 THz), and 8800 K (5.2 THz). The sensitivity fluctuation, the long term stability, and the antenna pattern were measured. The results demonstrate that this mixer is very well suited for GREAT, the German heterodyne receiver for SOFIA.
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