Shurakov, A., Lobanov, Y., & Goltsman, G. (2015). Superconducting hot-electron bolometer: from the discovery of hot-electron phenomena to practical applications. Supercond. Sci. Technol., 29(2), 023001.
Abstract: The discovery of hot-electron phenomena in a thin superconducting film in the last century was followed by numerous experimental studies of its appearance in different materials aiming for a better understanding of the phenomena and consequent implementation of terahertz detection systems for practical applications. In contrast to the competitors such as superconductor-insulator-superconductor tunnel junctions and Schottky diodes, the hot electron bolometer (HEB) did not demonstrate any frequency limitation of the detection mechanism. The latter, in conjunction with a decent performance, rapidly made the HEB mixer the most attractive candidate for heterodyne observations at frequencies above 1 THz. The successful operation of practical instruments (the Heinrich Hertz Telescope, the Receiver Lab Telescope, APEX, SOFIA, Hershel) ensures the importance of the HEB technology despite the lack of rigorous theoretical routine for predicting the performance. In this review, we provide a summary of experimental and theoretical studies devoted to understanding the HEB physics, and an overview of various fabrication routes and materials.
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Shurakov, A., Seliverstov, S., Kaurova, N., Finkel, M., Voronov, B., & Goltsman, G. (2012). Input bandwidth of hot electron bolometer with spiral antenna. IEEE Trans. THz Sci. Technol., 2(4), 400–405.
Abstract: We report the results of our study of the input bandwidth of hot electron bolometers (HEB) embedded into the planar log-spiral antenna. The sensitive element is made of the ultrathin superconducting NbN film patterned as a bridge at the feed of the antenna. The contacts between the antenna and a sensitive element are made from in situ deposited gold (i.e., deposited over NbN film without breaking vacuum), which gives high quality contacts and makes the response of the HEB at higher frequencies less affected by the RF loss. An accurate experimental spectroscopic procedure is demonstrated that leads to the confirmation of the wide ( 8 THz) bandwidth in this antenna coupled device.
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Samsonova, A., Zolotov, P., Baeva, E., Lomakin, A., Titova, N., Kardakova, A., et al. (2021). Signatures of surface magnetic disorder in thin niobium films. IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., , 1.
Abstract: We present our studies on the evolution of the normal and superconducting properties with thickness of thin Nb films with a low level of non-magnetic disorder (kFl 150 for the thickest film in the set). The analysis of the superconducting behavior points to the presence of magnetic moments, hidden in the native oxide on the surface of Nb films. Using the Abrikosov-Gorkov theory, we obtain the density of surface magnetic moments of 1013 cm-2, which is in agreement with the previously reported data for Nb films.
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Baeva, E. M., Titova, N. A., Kardakova, A. I., Piatrusha, S. U., & Khrapai, V. S. (2020). Universal bottleneck for thermal relaxation in disordered metallic films. Jetp Lett., 111(2), 104–108.
Abstract: We study the heat relaxation in current biased metallic films in the regime of strong electron–phonon coupling. A thermal gradient in the direction normal to the film is predicted, with a spatial temperature profile determined by the temperature-dependent heat conduction. In the case of strong phonon scattering, the heat conduction occurs predominantly via the electronic system and the profile is parabolic. This regime leads to the linear dependence of the noise temperature as a function of bias voltage, in spite of the fact that all the dimensions of the film are large compared to the electron–phonon relaxation length. This is in stark contrast to the conventional scenario of relaxation limited by the electron–phonon scattering rate. A preliminary experimental study of a 200-nm-thick NbN film indicates the relevance of our model for materials used in superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors.
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Saveskul, N. A., Titova, N. A., Baeva, E. M., Semenov, A. V., Lubenchenko, A. V., Saha, S., et al. (2019). Superconductivity behavior in epitaxial TiN films points to surface magnetic disorder. Phys. Rev. Applied, 12(5), 054001.
Abstract: We analyze the evolution of the normal and superconducting properties of epitaxial TiN films, characterized by high Ioffe-Regel parameter values, as a function of the film thickness. As the film thickness decreases, we observe an increase of the residual resistivity, that becomes dominated by diffusive surface scattering for d≤20nm. At the same time, a substantial thickness-dependent reduction of the superconducting critical temperature is observed compared to the bulk TiN value. In such high-quality material films, this effect can be explained by a weak magnetic disorder residing in the surface layer with a characteristic magnetic defect density of approximately 1012cm−2. Our results suggest that surface magnetic disorder is generally present in oxidized TiN films.
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Kardakova, A., Shishkin, A., Semenov, A., Goltsman, G. N., Ryabchun, S., Klapwijk, T. M., et al. (2016). Relaxation of the resistive superconducting state in boron-doped diamond films. Phys. Rev. B, 93(6), 064506.
Abstract: We report a study of the relaxation time of the restoration of the resistive superconducting state in single crystalline boron-doped diamond using amplitude-modulated absorption of (sub-)THz radiation (AMAR). The films grown on an insulating diamond substrate have a low carrier density of about 2.5×1021cm−3 and a critical temperature of about 2K. By changing the modulation frequency we find a high-frequency rolloff which we associate with the characteristic time of energy relaxation between the electron and the phonon systems or the relaxation time for nonequilibrium superconductivity. Our main result is that the electron-phonon scattering time varies clearly as T−2, over the accessible temperature range of 1.7 to 2.2 K. In addition, we find, upon approaching the critical temperature Tc, evidence for an increasing relaxation time on both sides of Tc.
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Tretyakov, I. V., Finkel, M. I., Ryabchun, S. A., Kardakova, A. I., Seliverstov, S. V., Petrenko, D. V., et al. (2014). Hot-electron bolometer mixers with in situ contacts. Radiophys. Quant. Electron., 56(8-9), 591–598.
Abstract: We report on the latest achievements in the development of superconducting hot-electron bolometer (HEB) mixers for terahertz superheterodyne receivers. We consider application ranges of such receivers and requirements for the basic characteristics of the mixers. Main features of the mixers, such as noise temperature, gain bandwidth, noise bandwidth, and required local-oscillator power, have been improved significantly over the past few years due to intense research work, both in terms of the element fabrication quality and in terms of understanding of the physics of the processes occurring in the HEB mixers. Contacts between the superconducting bridge and the planar antenna play a key role in the mixer operation. Improvement of the quality of the contacts leads simultaneously to a decrease in the noise temperature and an increase in the gain bandwidth of a mixer.
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Fedorov, G., Kardakova, A., Gayduchenko, I., Charayev, I., Voronov, B. M., Finkel, M., et al. (2013). Photothermoelectric response in asymmetric carbon nanotube devices exposed to sub-terahertz radiation. Appl. Phys. Lett., 103(18), 181121 (1 to 5).
Abstract: We report on the voltage response of carbon nanotube devices to sub-terahertz (THz) radiation. The devices contain carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which are over their length partially suspended and partially Van der Waals bonded to a SiO2 substrate, causing a difference in thermal contact. We observe a DC voltage upon exposure to 140 GHz radiation. Based on the observed gate voltage and power dependence, at different temperatures, we argue that the observed signal is both thermal and photovoltaic. The room temperature responsivity in the microwave to THz range exceeds that of CNT based devices reported before. Authors thank Professor P. Barbara for providing the catalyst for CNT growth and Dr. N. Chumakov and V. Rylkov for stimulating discussions. The work was supported by the RFBR (Grant No. 12-02-01291-a) and by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation (Contract No. 14.B25.31.0007). G.F. acknowledges support of the RFBR grant 12-02-01005-a.
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Elezov, M. S., Semenov, A. V., An, P. P., Tarkhov, M. A., Goltsman, G. N., Kardakova, A. I., et al. (2013). Investigating the detection regimes of a superconducting single-photon detector. J. Opt. Technol., 80(7), 435.
Abstract: The detection regimes of a superconducting single-photon detector have been investigated. A technique is proposed for determining the regions in which “pure regimes” predominate. Based on experimental data, the dependences of the internal quantum efficiency on the bias current are determined in the one-, two-, and three-photon detection regimes.
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Zvagelsky, R. D., Chubich, D. A., Kolymagin, D. A., Korostylev, E. V., Kovalyuk, V. V., Prokhodtsov, A. I., et al. (2020). Three-dimensional polymer wire bonds on a chip: morphology and functionality. J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys., 53(35), 355102.
Abstract: Modern microchip-scale transceivers are capable of transmitting data at rates of the order of several terabits per second. In this regard, there is an urgent need to improve the interfaces connecting the chips and extend the bandpass of the interconnections. We use an approach combining silicon nitride nanophotonic circuits with 3D polymer waveguides fabricated by direct laser writing, which can be used as photonic interconnections or photonic wire bonds (PWB). These structures are designed, simulated, fabricated, and optimized for better light transmission at the telecommunication wavelength. An important part of this work is the study of the telecom signal transmission in a 3D polymer waveguide connecting two silicon nitride facing tapers. Two cases are considered: the tapers are one opposite the other or misaligned. Initially, the PWB shape was chosen to be Gaussian and then optimized: the top was circle-shaped and with the lower part still being Gaussian. Transmission losses were measured for both types of waveguides with different shapes. The idea of an optical multi-level crossing for photonic integrated circuits is also suggested as a solution to the problem of interconnections within a single chip.
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Ferrari, S., Kovalyuk, V., Vetter, A., Lee, C., Rockstuhl, C., Semenov, A., et al. (2019). Analysis of the detection response of waveguide-integrated superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors at high count rate. Appl. Phys. Lett., 115(10), 101104.
Abstract: Nanophotonic circuitry and superconducting nanowires have been successfully combined for detecting single photons, propagating in an integrated photonic circuit, with high efficiency and low noise and timing uncertainty. Waveguide-integrated superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) can nowadays be engineered to achieve subnanosecond recovery times and can potentially be adopted for applications requiring Gcps count rates. However, particular attention shall be paid to such an extreme count rate regime since artifacts in the detector functionality emerge. In particular, a count-rate dependent detection efficiency has been encountered that can compromise the accuracy of quantum detector tomography experiments. Here, we investigate the response of waveguide-integrated SNSPDs at high photon flux and identify the presence of parasitic currents due to the accumulation of charge in the readout electronics to cause the above-mentioned artifact in the detection efficiency. Our approach allows us to determine the maximum photon count rate at which the detector can be operated without adverse effects. Our findings are particularly important to avoid artifacts when applying SNSPDs for quantum tomography.
We acknowledge support through ERC Consolidator Grant No. 724707 and from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft through Project No. PE 1832/5-1,2, as well as funding by the Volkswagen Foundation. This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No. 675745. V.K. and G.G. acknowledge support from the Russian Science Foundation Project No. 16-12-00045 (NbN film deposition and testing). A.V. acknowledges support from the Karlsruhe School of Optics and Photonics (KSOP).
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Polyakova, M., Semenov, A. V., Kovalyuk, V., Ferrari, S., Pernice, W. H. P., & Gol'tsman, G. N. (2019). Protocol of measuring hot-spot correlation length for SNSPDs with near-unity detection efficiency. IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., 29(5), 1–5.
Abstract: We present a simple quantum detector tomography protocol, which allows, without ambiguities, to measure the two-spot detection efficiency and extract the hot-spot interaction length of superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPDs) with unity intrinsic detection efficiency. We identify a significant parasitic contribution to the measured two-spot efficiency, related to an effect of the bias circuit, and find a way to rule out this contribution during data post-processing and directly in the experiment. From the data analysis for waveguide-integrated SNSPD, we find signatures of the saturation of the two-spot efficiency and hot-spot interaction length of order of 100 nm.
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Shangina, E. L., Smirnov, K. V., Morozov, D. V., Kovalyuk, V. V., Gol’tsman, G. N., Verevkin, A. A., et al. (2010). Frequency bandwidth and conversion loss of a semiconductor heterodyne receiver with phonon cooling of two-dimensional electrons. Semicond., 44(11), 1427–1429.
Abstract: The temperature and concentration dependences of the frequency bandwidth of terahertz heterodyne AlGaAs/GaAs detectors based on hot electron phenomena with phonon cooling of two-dimensional electrons have been measured by submillimeter spectroscopy with a high time resolution. At a temperature of 4.2 K, the frequency bandwidth at a level of 3 dB (f 3 dB) is varied from 150 to 250 MHz with a change in the concentration n s according to the power law f 3dB ∝ n −0.5 s due to the dominant contribution of piezoelectric phonon scattering. The minimum conversion loss of the semiconductor heterodyne detector is obtained in structures with a high carrier mobility (μ > 3 × 105 cm2 V−1 s−1 at 4.2 K).
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Shangina, E. L., Smirnov, K. V., Morozov, D. V., Kovalyuk, V. V., Gol’tsman, G. N., Verevkin, A. A., et al. (2010). Concentration dependence of the intermediate frequency bandwidth of submillimeter heterodyne AlGaAs/GaAs nanostructures. Bull. Russ. Acad. Sci. Phys., 74(1), 100–102.
Abstract: The concentration dependence of the intermediate frequency bandwidth of heterodyne AlGaAs/GaAs detectors with 2D electron gas is measured using submillimeter spectroscopy with high time resolution at T= 4.2 K. The intermediate frequency bandwidth f3dBfalls from 245 to 145 MHz with increasing concentration of 2D electrons n s = (1.6-6.6) × 10[su11] cm-2. The dependence f3dB ≈ n s – 0.04±is observed in the studied concentration range; this dependence is determined by electron scattering by the deformation potential of acoustic phonons and piezoelectric scattering.
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Morozov, P., Lukina, M., Shirmanova, M., Divochiy, A., Dudenkova, V., Gol'tsman, G. N., et al. (2021). Singlet oxygen phosphorescence imaging by superconducting single-photon detector and time-correlated single-photon counting. Opt. Lett., 46(6), 1217–1220.
Abstract: This Letter presents, to the best of our knowledge, a novel optical configuration for direct time-resolved measurements of luminescence from singlet oxygen, both in solutions and from cultured cells on photodynamic therapy. The system is based on the superconducting single-photon detector, coupled to the confocal scanner that is modified for the near-infrared measurements. The recording of a phosphorescence signal from singlet oxygen at 1270 nm has been done using time-correlated single-photon counting. The performance of the system is verified by measuring phosphorescence from singlet oxygen generated by the photosensitizers commonly used in photodynamic therapy: methylene blue and chlorin e6. The described system can be easily upgraded to the configuration when both phosphorescence from singlet oxygen and fluorescence from the cells can be detected in the imaging mode. Thus, co-localization of the signal from singlet oxygen with the areas inside the cells can be done.
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