D. Henrich, L. R. S. D., M. Hofherr, K. Il'in, A. Semenov, and M. Siegel. (2012). Detection efficiency of a spiral-nanowire superconducting single-photon detector. arXiv:1210.3988.
Abstract: We investigate the detection efficiency of a spiral layout of a Superconducting Nanowire Single-Photon Detector (SNSPD). The design is less susceptible to the critical current reduction in sharp turns of the nanowire than the conventional meander design. Detector samples with different nanowire width from 300 to 100 nm are patterned from a 4 nm thick NbN film deposited on sapphire substrates. The critical current IC at 4.2 K for spiral, meander, and simple bridge structures is measured and compared. On the 100 nm wide samples, the detection efficiency is measured in the wavelength range 400-1700 nm and the cut-off wavelength of the hot-spot plateau is determined. In the optical range, the spiral detector reaches a detection efficiency of 27.6%, which is ~1.5 times the value of the meander. In the infrared range the detection efficiency is more than doubled.
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Khosropanah, P. (2003). NbN and NbTiN hot electron bolometer THz mixers. Ph.D. thesis, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg.
Abstract: The thesis reports the development of Hot Electron Bolometer (HEB) mixers for radio astronomy heterodyne receivers in THz frequency range. Part of this work is the fabrication of HEB devices, which are based on NbN or NbTiN superconducting thin films (â‰<a4>5 nm). They are integrated with wideband spiral or double-slot planar antennas. The mixer chips are incorporated into a quasi-optical receiver. The experimental part of this work focuses on the characterization of the receiver as a whole, and the HEB mixers as a part. Double side band receiver noise temperature and the IF bandwidth are reported for frequencies from 0.7 THz up to 2.6 THz. The spectrum of the direct response of HEB integrated with dierent antennas are measured using Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS). The effect of the bolometer size on total receiver performance and the LO power requirements is also discussed. A high-yield and reliable process for fabrication of NbN HEB mixers have been achieved. Over 100 devices with different bolometer geometry, film property and also different antennas have been fabricated and measured. The measured data enables us to discuss the impact of different parameters to the receiver overall performance.
This work has provided NbN HEB mixers to the following receivers:
TREND (Terahertz REceiver with NbN HEB Device) operating at 1.25-1.5 THz, installed in AST/RO Submillimeter Wave Telescope, Amundsen/Scott South Pole Station, in 2002-2003.
Band 6-low (1.410-1.700 THz) and 6-high (1.700-1.920 THz) of the HIFI (Heterodyne Instrument for Far Infra-red) in the Herschel Space Observatory, due to launch in 2007 by ESA (European Space Agency).
Besides, there has been continuous efforts to develop better models to explain the mixer performance more accurately. They are based on two temperature model for electrons and phonons and solving one-dimensional heat balance equations along the bolometer. The principles of these models are illustrated and the calculated results are compared with measured data.
Keywords: HEB mixer, hot electron bolometer mixer, NbN, NbTiN, superconducting detector, heterodyne receiver, THz mixer, submillimeter mixer, quasioptical receiver, double slot antenna, twin slot antenna, spiral antenna, receiver noise, FTS, Fourier Transform Spectrometer
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Palma, F., Teppe, F., Fatimy, A. E., Green, R., Xu, J., Vachontin, Y., et al. (2010). THz communication system based on a THz quantum cascade laser and a hot electron bolometer. In 35th Int. Conf. Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves (11623798 (1 to 2)).
Abstract: We present the experimental study of the direct emission – detection system based on the THz Quantum Cascade Laser as a source and Hot Electron Bolometer (HEB) detector – in view of its application as an optical communication system. We show that the system can efficiently transmit the QCL Terahertz pulses. We estimate the maximal modulation speed of the system to be about several GHz and show that it is limited only by the QCL pulse power supply, detector amplifier and connection line/wires parameters.
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Marsili, F., Bitauld, D., Divochiy, A., Gaggero, A., Leoni, R., Mattioli, F., et al. (2008). Superconducting nanowire photon number resolving detector at telecom wavelength. In CLEO/QELS (Qmj1 (1 to 2)). Optical Society of America.
Abstract: We demonstrate a photon-number-resolving (PNR) detector, based on parallel superconducting nanowires, capable of resolving up to 5 photons in the telecommunication wavelength range, with sensitivity and speed far exceeding existing approaches.
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Minaeva, O., Fraine, A., Korneev, A., Divochiy, A., Goltsman, G., & Sergienko, A. (2012). High resolution optical time-domain reflectometry using superconducting single-photon detectors. In Frontiers in Opt. 2012/Laser Sci. XXVIII (Fw3a.39). Optical Society of America.
Abstract: We discuss the advantages and limitations of single-photon optical time-domain reflectometry with superconducting single-photon detectors. The higher two-point resolution can be achieved due to superior timing performance of SSPDs in comparison with InGaAs APDs.
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