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Goltsman, G. N. (2021). Development and applications of terahertz hot electron bolometers. In 1st Moscow Int. Conf. on Submillimeter and Millimeter Astronomy: Objectives and Instruments.
Abstract: The development of techniques and technologies for the deposition of ultrathin superconducting films, the creation of superconducting structures on a nanometer scale is the basis of significant progress in the field of superconducting receiving systems. Ultrathin NbN films are the basis for a wide range of record-breaking hot electron devices: direct and heterodyne terahertz detectors. Terahertz receivers are especially in demand in high-resolution spectroscopy for astronomical, atmospheric, and medical research. HEB receivers are widely used in terahertz radio astronomy. For example, the Dutch SRON Institute is preparing a project for the GUSTO hot air balloon telescope with a HEB mixer array at 1.4 THz and 1.9 THz. A 5-meter Chinese terahertz telescope DATE5 with HEB mixers at 1.4 THz is installed at the South Pole. The Stratospheric Observatory (SOFIA) uses HEB mixer matrices in the GREAT instrument operating in the 1.2 – 4.7 THz range. It is planned to implement the international project Origins Space Telescope (OST) in the far infrared region based on HEB receivers. The Japanese project Smiles-2 will allow measurements at 1.8 THz in the upper layers of the stratosphere and mesosphere. The development of the Millimetron space observatory continues in Russia.
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Bandurin, D., Svintsov, D., Gayduchenko, I., Xu, S., Principi, A., Moskotin, M., et al. (2019). Resonant terahertz photoresponse and superlattice plasmons in graphene field-effect transistors. In APS March Meeting (F14.015).
Abstract: Plasmons, collective oscillations of electron systems, can couple light and electric current, and thus can be used to create compact photodetectors, radiation mixers, and spectrometers. Despite the effort, it has proven challenging to implement plasmonic devices operating at THz frequencies. The material capable to meet this challenge is graphene as it supports long-lived electrically-tunable plasmons. In this talk, we will demonstrate plasmon-assisted resonant detection of THz radiation by antenna-coupled graphene FETs that act as both rectifying elements and plasmonic Fabry-Perot cavities amplifying the photoresponse. We will show that by varying the plasmon velocity using gate voltage, our detectors can be tuned between multiple resonant modes, a functionality that we apply to measure plasmons' wavelength and lifetime in graphene as well as to probe collective modes in its moire minibands. Our approach offers a convenient tool for further plasmonic research that is often difficult under non-ambient conditions and promises a viable route for various THz applications. We acknowledge Leverhulme Trust, Russian Science Foundation Grants N18-72-00234 and 17-72-30036, Russian Foundation for Basic Research No. 18-57-06001 and 16-29-03402.
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Goltsman, G. (2009). Superconducting NbN hot-electron bolometer mixer, direct detector and single-photon counter: from devices to systems.
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Semenov, A., Hübers, H. - W., Engel, A., & Gol'tsman, G. N. (2002). Background limited superconducting quantum detector for astronomy. In NASA/ADS.
Abstract: We present the concept of the superconducting quantum detector for astronomy. Response to a single absorbed photon appears due to successive formation of a normal spot and phase-slip-centers in a narrow strip carrying sub-critical supercurrent. The detector simultaneously has a moderate energy resolution and a variable cut-off wavelength depending on both the material used and operation conditions. We simulated performance of the background-limited direct detector having the 100- micrometer cut-off wavelength. Low dark count rate will allow to realize 10-21 W Hz-1/2 noise equivalent power at 4 K background radiation. The intrinsic recovery time of the counter is rather determined by diffusion of nonequilibrium electrons, thus, thermal fluctuations do not hamper energy resolution of the detector. Provided an appropriate readout technique, the resolution should be better than 1/20 at 50- micrometer wavelength. Planar layout and relatively simple technology favor integration of the detector into an array.
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Hübers, H. - W., Semenov, A., Richter, H., Smirnov, K., Gol'tsman, G., & Voronov, B. (2002). Phonon cooled far-infrared hot electron bolometer mixer. In NASA/ADS.
Abstract: Heterodyne receivers for applications in astronomy need quantum-limited sensitivity. At frequencies above 1.4 THz superconducting hot electron bolometers (HEB) can be used to achieve this goal. We present results of the development of a quasi-optical phonon-cooled NbN HEB mixer for GREAT, the German heterodyne receiver for SOFIA. Different mixers with logarithmic spiral and double slot feed antennas have been investigated with respect to their noise temperature, conversion loss, linearity and beam pattern at several frequencies between 0.7 THz and 5.2 THz. At 2.5 THz a double sideband noise temperature of 2200 K was achieved. The conversion loss was 16 dB. The response of the mixer was linear up to 400 K load temperature. This performance was verified by measuring an emission line of methanol at 2.5 THz. The results demonstrate that the NbN HEB is very well suited as a mixer for FIR heterodyne receivers.
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