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Hajenius, M., Yang, Z. Q., Gao, J. R., Baselmans, J. J. A., Klapwijk, T. M., Voronov, B., et al. (2007). Optimized sensitivity of NbN hot electron bolometer mixers by annealing. IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., 17(2), 399–402.
Abstract: We report that the heterodyne sensitivity of superconducting hot-electron bolometers (HEBs) increases by 25-30% after annealing at 85degC in high vacuum. The devices studied are twin-slot antenna coupled mixers with a small area NbN bridge of 1 mum times 0.15 mum, above which there is a SiO 2 passivation layer. The mixer noise temperature, gain, and resistance versus temperature curve of a HEB before and after annealing are compared and analysed. We show that the annealing reduces the intrinsic noise of the mixer by 37% and makes the superconducting transition of the bridge and the contacts sharper. We argue that the reduction ofthe noise is mainly due to the improvement of the transparency of the contact/film interface. The lowest receiver noise temperature of 700 K is measured at a local oscillator frequency of 1.63 THz and at a bath temperature of 4.2 K.
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Shurakov, A., Mikhalev, P., Mikhailov, D., Mityashkin, V., Tretyakov, I., Kardakova, A., et al. (2018). Ti/Au/n-GaAs planar Schottky diode with a moderately Si-doped matching sublayer. Microelectronic Engineering, 195, 26–31.
Abstract: In this paper, we report on the results of the study of the Ti/Au/n-GaAs planar Schottky diodes (PSD) intended for the wideband detection of terahertz radiation. The two types of the PSD devices were compared having either the dual n/n+ silicon dopant profile or the triple one with a moderately doped matching sublayer inserted. All the diodes demonstrated no noticeable temperature dependence of ideality factors and barrier heights, whose values covered the ranges of 1.15–1.50 and 0.75–0.85 eV, respectively. We observed the lowering of the flat band barrier height of ∼80 meV after introducing the matching sublayer into the GaAs sandwich. For both the devices types, the series resistance value as low as 20 Ω was obtained. To extract the total parasitic capacitance, we performed the Y-parameters analysis within the electromagnetic modeling of the PSD's behavior via the finite-element method. The capacitance values of 12–12.2 fF were obtained and further verified by measuring the diodes' response voltages in the frequency range of 400–480 GHz. We also calculated the AC current density distribution within the layered structures similar to those being experimentally studied. It was demonstrated that insertion of the moderately Si-doped matching sublayer might be beneficial for implementation of a PSD intended for the operation within the ‘super-THz’ frequency range.
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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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