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Gol’tsman, G. N. (2007). The “Millimetron” project, a future space telescope mission. In Proc. 18th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. (255).
Abstract: The goal of the Millimetron project is to develop a space observatory operating in the millimeter, sub-millimeter and infrared wavelength ranges using a 12-m actively cooled telescope in a single-dish mode and as an interferometer with the space-ground and space-space baselines (the later after the launch of the second identical space telescope). The Millimetron’s main reflector and other optics will be cooled down to 4K thus enabling astronomical observations with super high sensitivity in MM and subMM (down to nanoJansky level). Heterodyne observations in an interferometer mode at frequencies 0.1-1 THz will provide super high angular resolution. The main instruments, planned to be installed are wide-range imaging arrays, radiometers with spectrometers and polarimeters, VLBI heterodyne receivers, and Mikelson type interferometer devices. Wide-range MM and subMM imaging arrays and spectrometers will be based on a superconducting hot electron direct detectors with Andreev mirrors operating at 0.1 K. Such detectors are the best candidates to reach the noise equivalent power level of 10 -19 -10 -20 W/√Hz. Heterodyne receivers will be both SIS based superconducting integrated receiver with flux-flow oscillator as LO (0.1-0.9 THz range) and HEB based receivers using multiplied Gunn oscillator as LO for 1-2 THz range and quantum cascade lasers as LO for 2-5 THz range. For observations in middle IR region there will be installed large arrays of superconducting single photon detectors, providing imaging with very high dynamic range and ultimate sensitivity.
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Kerman, A. J., Dauler, E. A., Yang, J. K. W., Rosfjord, K. M., Anant, V., Berggren, K. K., et al. (2007). Constriction-limited detection efficiency of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors. Appl. Phys. Lett., 90(10), 101110 (1 to 3).
Abstract: We investigate the source of the large variations in the observed detection efficiencies of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors between many nominally identical devices. Through both electrical and optical measurements, we infer that these variations arise from “constrictions:” highly localized regions of the nanowires where the effective cross-sectional area for superconducting current is reduced. These constrictions limit the bias-current density to well below its critical value over the remainder of the wire, and thus prevent the detection efficiency from reaching the high values that occur in these devices when they are biased near the critical current density.
This work is sponsored by the United States Air Force under Contract No. FA8721-05-C-0002.
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Vachtomin, Y. B., Antipov, S. V., Maslennikov, S. N., Smirnov, K. V., Polyakov, S. L., Zhang, W., et al. (2006). Quasioptical hot electron bolometer mixers based on thin NBN films for terahertz region. In Proc. 16th Int. Crimean Microwave and Telecommunication Technology (Vol. 2, pp. 688–689).
Abstract: Presented in this paper are the performances of HEB mixers based on 2-3.5 nm thick NbN films integrated with log-periodic spiral antenna. Double side-band receiver noise temperature values are 1300 K and 3100 K at 2.5 THz and at 3.8 THz, respectively. Mixer gain bandwidth is 5.2 GHz. Local oscillator power is 1-3 muW for mixers with different active area
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Rosfjord, K. M., Yang, J. K. W., Dauler, E. A., Anant, V., Berggren, K. K., Kerman, A. J., et al. (2006). Increased detection efficiencies of nanowire single-photon detectors by integration of an optical cavity and anti-reflection coating. In CLEO/QELS (JTuF2 (1 to 2)).
Abstract: We fabricate and test superconducting NbN-nanowire single-photon detectors with an integrated optical cavity and anti-reflection coating. We design the cavity and coating such as to maximize absorption in the NbN film of the detector.
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Yang, Z. Q., Hajenius, M., Baselmans, J. J. A., Gao, J. R., Voronov, B., & Gol’tsman, G. N. (2006). Reduced noise in NbN hot-electron bolometer mixers by annealing. Supercond. Sci. Technol., 19(4), L (9 to 12).
Abstract: We find that the sensitivity of heterodyne receivers based on superconducting hot-electron bolometers (HEBs) increases by 25–30% after annealing at 85 °C in vacuum. The devices studied are twin-slot antenna coupled mixers with a small NbN bridge of 1 × 0.15 µm2. We show that annealing changes the device properties as reflected in sharper resistive transitions of the complete device, apparently reducing the device-related noise. The lowest receiver noise temperature of 700 K is measured at a local oscillator frequency of 1.63 THz and a bath temperature of 4.3 K.
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