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Author Loudkov, D.; Tong, C.-Y. E.; Blundell, R.; Kaurova, N.; Grishina, E.; Voronov, B.; Gol’tsman, G.
Title An investigation of the performance of the superconducting HEB mixer as a function of its RF embedding impedance Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. Abbreviated Journal IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond.
Volume (up) 15 Issue 2 Pages 472-475
Keywords waveguide NbN HEB mixers
Abstract We have conducted an investigation of the optimal embedding impedance for a waveguide superconducting hot-electron bolometric (HEB) mixer. Three mixer chip designs for 800 GHz, offering nominal embedding resistances of 70 /spl Omega/, 35 /spl Omega/, and 15 /spl Omega/, have been developed. We used both High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) software and scale model impedance measurements in the design process. We subsequently fabricated HEB mixers to these designs using 3-4 nm thick NbN thin film. Receiver noise temperature measurements and Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) scans were performed to determine the optimal combination of embedding impedance and normal-state resistance for a 50 Ohm IF load impedance. A receiver noise temperature of 440 K was measured at a local oscillator frequency 850 GHz for a mixer with normal state resistance of 62 /spl Omega/ incorporated into a circuit offering a nominal embedding impedance of 70 /spl Omega/. We conclude from our data that, for low noise operation, the normal state resistance of the HEB mixer element should be close to the embedding impedance of the mixer mount.
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Notes Approved no
Call Number 1439677 Serial 1464
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Author Baubert, J.; Salez, M.; Merkel, H.; Pons, P.; Cherednichenko, S.; Lecomte, B.; Drakinsky, V.; Goltsman, G.; Leone, B.
Title IF gain bandwidth of membrane-based NbN hot electron bolometers for SHAHIRA Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. Abbreviated Journal IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond.
Volume (up) 15 Issue 2 Pages 507-510
Keywords NbN HEB mixers, applications
Abstract SHAHIRA (Submm Heterodyne Array for HIgh-speed Radio Astronomy) is a project supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) and is designed to fly on the SOFIA observatory. A quasi-optic design has been chosen for 2.5/2.7 THz and 4.7 THz, for hydroxyde radical OH, deuterated hydrogen HD and neutral atomic oxygen OI lines observations. Hot electron bolometers (HEBs) have been processed on 1 /spl mu/m thick SiO/sub 2//Si/sub 3/N/sub 4/ stress-less membranes. In this paper we analyse the intermediate frequency (IF) gain bandwidth from the theoretical point of view, and compare it to measurements.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1558-2515 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1468
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Author Jiang, L.; Li, J.; Zhang, W.; Yao, Q. J.; Lin, Z. L.; Shi, S. C.; Vachtomin, Y. B.; Antipov, S. V.; Svechnikov, S. I.; Voronov, B. M.; Goltsman, G. N.
Title Characterization of NbN HEB mixers cooled by a close-cycled 4 Kelvin refrigerator Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. Abbreviated Journal IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond.
Volume (up) 15 Issue 2 Pages 511-513
Keywords NbN HEB mixers
Abstract It is quite beneficial to operate superconducting hot-electron-bolometer (HEB) mixers with a close-cycled 4 Kelvin refrigerator for real applications such as astronomy and atmospheric research. In this paper, a phononcooled NbN HEB mixer (quasioptical type) is thoroughly characterized under such a cooling circumstance. The effects of mechanical vibration, electrical interference, and temperature fluctuation of a two-stage Gifford-McMahon 4 Kelvin refrigerator upon the characteristics of the phononcooled NbN HEB mixer are investigated in particular. Detailed measurement results are presented.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1558-2515 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1469
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Author Hajenius, M.; Baselmans, J. J. A.; Gao, J. R.; Klapwijk, T. M.; de Korte, P. A. J.; Voronov, B.; Gol'tsman, G.
Title Low noise NbN superconducting hot electron bolometer mixers at 1.9 and 2.5 THz Type Journal Article
Year 2004 Publication Supercond. Sci. Technol. Abbreviated Journal Supercond. Sci. Technol.
Volume (up) 17 Issue 5 Pages S224-S228
Keywords NbN HEB mixers
Abstract NbN phonon-cooled hot electron bolometer mixers (HEBs) have been realized with negligible contact resistance between the bolometer itself and the contact structure. Using a combination of in situ cleaning of the NbN film and the use of an additional superconducting interlayer of a 10 nm NbTiN layer between the Au of the contact structure and the NbN film superior noise temperatures have been obtained as low as 950 K at 2.5 THz and 750 K at 1.9 THz. Here we address in detail the DC characterization of these devices, the interface transparencies between the bolometers and the contacts and the consequences of these factors on the mixer performance.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0953-2048 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 558
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Author Semenov, Alexei; Richter, Heiko; Smirnov, Konstantin; Voronov, Boris; Gol'tsman, Gregory; Hübers, Heinz-Wilhelm
Title The development of terahertz superconducting hot-electron bolometric mixers Type Journal Article
Year 2004 Publication Supercond. Sci. Technol. Abbreviated Journal Supercond. Sci. Technol.
Volume (up) 17 Issue 5 Pages 436-439
Keywords NbN HEB mixers
Abstract We present recent advances in the development of NbN hot-electron bolometric (HEB) mixers for flying terahertz heterodyne receivers. Three important issues have been addressed: the quality of the source NbN films, the effect of the bolometer size on the spectral properties of different planar feed antennas, and the local oscillator (LO) power required for optimal operation of the mixer. Studies of the NbN films with an atomic force microscope indicated a surface structure that may affect the performance of the smallest mixers. Measured spectral gain and noise temperature suggest that at frequencies above 2.5 THz the spiral feed provides better overall performance than the double-slot feed. Direct measurements of the optimal LO power support earlier estimates made in the framework of the uniform mixer model.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
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ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 357
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Author Hajenius, M.; Yang, Z. Q.; Gao, J. R.; Baselmans, J. J. A.; Klapwijk, T. M.; Voronov, B.; Gol'tsman, G.
Title Optimized sensitivity of NbN hot electron bolometer mixers by annealing Type Journal Article
Year 2007 Publication IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. Abbreviated Journal IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond.
Volume (up) 17 Issue 2 Pages 399-402
Keywords NbN HEB mixers
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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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1051-8223 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1426
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Author Ryabchun, S.; Tong, C.-Y. E.; Blundell, R.; Kimberk, R.; Gol'tsman, G.
Title Study of the effect of microwave radiation on the operation of HEB mixers in the terahertz frequency range Type Journal Article
Year 2007 Publication IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. Abbreviated Journal IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond.
Volume (up) 17 Issue 2 Pages 391-394
Keywords NbN HEB mixers
Abstract We have investigated the effect of injecting microwave radiation, with a frequency much lower than that corresponding to the energy gap of the superconductor, on the performance of the hot-electron bolometer mixer incorporated into a THz heterodyne receiver. More specifically, we show that exposing the mixer to microwave radiation does not cause a significant rise of the receiver noise temperature and fall of the mixer conversion gain so long as the microwave power is a small fraction of local oscillator power. The injection of a small, but controlled amount of microwave power therefore enables active compensation of local oscillator power and coupling fluctuations which can significantly degrade the gain stability of hot electron bolometer mixer receivers.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1051-8223 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1427
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Author Jiang, L.; Antipov, S. V.; Voronov, B. M.; Gol'tsman, G. N.; Zhang, W.; Li, N.; Lin, Z. H.; Yao, Q. J.; Miao, W.; Shi, S. C.; Svechnikov, S. I.; Vakhtomin, Y. B.
Title Characterization of the performance of a quasi-optical NbN superconducting HEB mixer Type Journal Article
Year 2007 Publication IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. Abbreviated Journal IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond.
Volume (up) 17 Issue 2 Pages 395-398
Keywords NbN HEB mixers, noise temperature
Abstract In this paper we focus mainly on the investigation of the performance of a quasi-optical (planar log-spiral antenna) phonon-cooled NbN superconducting hot electron bolometer (HEB) mixer, which is cryogenically cooled by a close-cycled 4-K cryocooler, at 500 and 850 GHz frequency bands. The mixer's noise performance, stability of IF output power, and local oscillator (LO) power requirement are characterized for three NbN superconducting HEB devices of different sizes. The transmission characteristics of Mylar and Zitex films with incidence waves of an elliptical polarization are also examined by measuring the mixer's noise temperature. The lowest receiver noise temperatures (with no corrections) of 750 and 1100 K are measured at 500 and 850 GHz, respectively. Experimental results also demonstrate that the bigger the HEB device is, the higher the stability of IF output power becomes.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1051-8223 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1429
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Author Yang, Z. Q.; Hajenius, M.; Baselmans, J. J. A.; Gao, J. R.; Voronov, B.; Gol’tsman, G. N.
Title Reduced noise in NbN hot-electron bolometer mixers by annealing Type Journal Article
Year 2006 Publication Supercond. Sci. Technol. Abbreviated Journal Supercond. Sci. Technol.
Volume (up) 19 Issue 4 Pages L (9 to 12)
Keywords NbN HEB mixers
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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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0953-2048 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1456
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Author Lobanov, Y.; Tong, E.; Blundell, R.; Hedden, A.; Voronov, B.; Gol'tsman, G.
Title Large-signal frequency response of an HEB mixer: from 300 MHz to terahertz Type Journal Article
Year 2011 Publication IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. Abbreviated Journal
Volume (up) 21 Issue 3 Pages 628-631
Keywords waveguide NbN HEB mixers
Abstract We present a study of the large signal frequency response of an HEB mixer over a wide frequency range. In our experiments, we have subjected the HEB mixer to incident electromagnetic radiation from 0.3 GHz to 1 THz. The mixer element is an NbN film deposited on crystalline quartz. The mixer chip is mounted in a waveguide cavity, coupled to free space with a diagonal horn. At microwave frequencies, electromagnetic radiation is applied through the coaxial bias port of the mixer block. At higher frequencies the input signal passes via the diagonal horn feed. At each frequency, the incident power is varied and a family of I-V curves is recorded. From the curves we identify 3 distinct regimes of operation of the mixer separated by the phonon relaxation frequency and the superconducting energy gap frequency observed at about 3 GHz and 660 GHz respectively. In this paper, we will present observed curves and discuss the results of our experiment.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number RPLAB @ gujma @ Serial 719
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Author Lobanov, Y.V.; Tong, C.-Y.E.; Hedden, A.S.; Blundell, R.; Voronov, B.M.; Gol'tsman, G.N.
Title Direct measurement of the gain and noise bandwidths of HEB mixers Type Journal Article
Year 2011 Publication IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. Abbreviated Journal IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond.
Volume (up) 21 Issue 3 Pages 645-648
Keywords waveguide NbN HEB mixers
Abstract The intermediate frequency (IF) bandwidth of a hot electron bolometer (HEB) mixer is an important parameter of the mixer, in that it helps to determine its suitability for a given application. With the availability of wideband low noise amplifiers, it is simple to measure the performance of an HEB mixer over a wide range of IF at a fixed LO frequency using the standard Y-factor method. This in-situ method allows us to measure both the gain and noise bandwidths simultaneously. We have also measured mixer output impedance with a vector network analyser. Intrinsic time constant has been extracted from the impedance data and compared to the mixer's bandwidths determined from receiver Y-factor measurement.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
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ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number RPLAB @ gujma @ Serial 720
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Author Shurakov, A.; Tong, C.-Y. E.; Blundell, R.; Kaurova, N.; Voronov, B.; Gol'tsman, G.
Title Microwave stabilization of a HEB mixer in a pulse-tube cryocooler Type Journal Article
Year 2013 Publication IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. Abbreviated Journal IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond.
Volume (up) 23 Issue 3 Pages 1501504-1501504
Keywords NbN HEB mixers
Abstract We report the results of our study of the stability of an 800 GHz hot electron bolometer (HEB) mixer cooled with a pulse-tube cryocooler. Pulse-tube cryocoolers introduce temperature fluctuations as well as mechanical vibrations at a frequency of ~1 Hz, both of which can cause receiver gain fluctuations at that frequency. In our system, the motor of the cryocooler was separated from the cryostat to minimize mechanical vibrations, leaving thermal effects as the dominant source of the receiver gain fluctuations. We measured root mean square temperature variations of the 4 K stage of ~7 mK. The HEB mixer was pumped by a solid state local oscillator at 810 GHz. The root mean square current fluctuations at the low noise operating point (1.50 mV, 56.5 μA) were ~0.12 μA, and were predominantly due to thermal fluctuations. To stabilize the bias current, microwave radiation was injected to the HEB mixer. The injected power level was set by a proportional-integral-derivative controller, which completely compensates for the bias current oscillations induced by the pulse-tube cryocooler. Significant improvement in the Allan variance of the receiver output power was obtained, and an Allan time of 5 s was measured.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1051-8223 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1372
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Author Zhang, Wen; Li, Ning; Jiang, Ling; Miao, Wei; Lin, Zhen-Hui; Yao, Qi-Jun; Shi, Sheng-Cai; Chen, Jian; Wu, Pei-Heng; Svechnikov, S. I.; Vachtomin, Y. B.; Antipov, S. V.; Voronov, B. M.; Gol'tsman, G. N.
Title Noise behaviour of a THz superconducting hot-electron bolometer mixer Type Journal Article
Year 2007 Publication Chinese Phys. Lett. Abbreviated Journal Chinese Phys. Lett.
Volume (up) 24 Issue 6 Pages 1778-1781
Keywords NbN HEB mixers
Abstract A quasi-optical superconducting NbN hot-electron bolometer (HEB) mixer is measured in the frequency range of 0.5–2.5 THz for understanding of the frequency dependence of noise temperature of THz coherent detectors. It has been found that noise temperature increasing with frequency is mainly due to the coupling loss between the quasi-optical planar antenna and the superconducting HEB bridge when taking account of non-uniform distribution of high-frequency current. With the coupling loss corrected, the superconducting HEB mixer demonstrates a noise temperature nearly independent of frequency.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0256-307X ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1430
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Author Zhang, W.; Miao, W.; Zhong, J. Q.; Shi, S. C.; Hayton, D. J.; Vercruyssen, N.; Gao, J. R.; Goltsman, G. N.
Title Temperature dependence of the receiver noise temperature and IF bandwidth of superconducting hot electron bolometer mixers Type Journal Article
Year 2014 Publication Supercond. Sci. Technol. Abbreviated Journal Supercond. Sci. Technol.
Volume (up) 27 Issue 8 Pages 085013 (1 to 5)
Keywords NbN HEB mixers
Abstract In this paper we study the temperature dependence of the receiver noise temperature and IF noise bandwidth of superconducting hot electron bolometer (HEB) mixers. Three superconducting NbN HEB devices of different transition temperatures (Tc) are measured at 0.85 THz and 1.4 THz at different bath temperatures (Tbath) between 4 K and 9 K. Measurement results demonstrate that the receiver noise temperature of superconducting NbN HEB devices is nearly constant for Tbath/Tc, less than 0.8, which is consistent with the simulation based on a distributed hot-spot model. In addition, the IF noise bandwidth appears independent of Tbath/Tc, indicating the dominance of phonon cooling in the investigated HEB devices.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0953-2048 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1358
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Author Gol'tsman, G. N.
Title Hot electron bolometric mixers: new terahertz technology Type Journal Article
Year 1999 Publication Infrared Physics & Technology Abbreviated Journal Infrared Physics & Technology
Volume (up) 40 Issue 3 Pages 199-206
Keywords NbN HEB mixers
Abstract This paper presents an overview of recent results for NbN phonon-cooled hot electron bolometric (HEB) mixers. The noise temperature of the receivers based on both quasioptical and waveguide versions of HEB mixers has crossed the level of 1 K GHz−1 at 430 GHz (410 K), 600–650 GHz (480 K), 750 GHz (600 K), 810 GHz (780 K) and is close to that level at 1.1 THz (1250 K) and 2.5 THz (4500 K). The gain bandwidth measured for quasioptical HEB mixer at 620 GHz reached 4 GHz and the noise temperature bandwidth was almost 8 GHz. Local oscillator power requirements are about 1 μW for mixers made by photolithography and about 100 nW for mixers made by e-beam lithography. A waveguide version of 800 GHz receiver was installed at the Submillimeter Telescope Observatory on Mt. Graham, AZ, to conduct astronomical observations of known submillimeter lines (CO, J=7→6, CI, J=2→1). It was proved that the receiver works as a practical instrument.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1350-4495 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1570
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Author Hübers, H.-W.; Schubert, J.; Krabbe, A.; Birk, M.; Wagner, G.; Semenov, A.; Gol’tsman, G.; Voronov, B.; Gershenzon, E.
Title Parylene anti-reflection coating of a quasi-optical hot-electron-bolometric mixer at terahertz frequencies Type Journal Article
Year 2001 Publication Infrared Physics & Technology Abbreviated Journal Infrared Physics & Technology
Volume (up) 42 Issue 1 Pages 41-47
Keywords NbN HEB mixers, anti-reflection coating
Abstract Parylene C was investigated as anti-reflection coating for silicon at terahertz frequencies. Measurements with a Fourier-transform spectrometer show that the transmittance of pure silicon can be improved by about 30% when applying a layer of Parylene C with a quarter wavelength optical thickness. The 10% bandwidth of this coating extends from 1.5 to 3 THz for a center frequency of 2.3–2.5 THz, where the transmittance is constant. Heterodyne measurements demonstrate that the noise temperature of a hot-electron-bolometric mixer can be reduced significantly by coating the silicon lens of the hybrid antenna with a quarter wavelength Parylene C layer. Compared to the same mixer with an uncoated lens the improvement is about 30% at a frequency of 2.5 THz.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1350-4495 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1548
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Gol'tsman, G. N.; Loudkov, D. N.
Title Terahertz superconducting hot-electron bolometer mixers and their application in radio astronomy Type Journal Article
Year 2003 Publication Radiophys. Quant. Electron. Abbreviated Journal
Volume (up) 46 Issue 8/9 Pages 604-617
Keywords NbN HEB mixers
Abstract We review the latest developments, research, and radioastronomy applications of hot-electron bolometer (HEB) mixers operated in the terahertz waveband. The physical principles of operation of terahertz HEB mixers are presented, their manufacturing from ultrathin NbN films, the main HEB-mixer parameters and their measurement techniques are discussed, and practical terahertz radioastronomy projects based on heterodyne receivers with HEB mixers are considered.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0033-8443 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes UDC 537.312.62 Approved no
Call Number Serial 472
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Author Gerecht, E.; Musante, C. F.; Zhuang, Y.; Yngvesson, K. S.; Gol’tsman, G. N.; Voronov, B. M.; Gershenzon, E. M.
Title NbN hot electron bolometric mixerss—a new technology for low-noise THz receivers Type Journal Article
Year 1999 Publication IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond. Abbreviated Journal IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond.
Volume (up) 47 Issue 12 Pages 2519-2527
Keywords NbN HEB mixers
Abstract New advances in hot electron bolometer (HEB) mixers have recently resulted in record-low receiver noise temperatures at terahertz frequencies. We have developed quasi-optically coupled NbN HEB mixers and measured noise temperatures up to 2.24 THz, as described in this paper. We project the anticipated future performance of such receivers to have even lower noise temperature and local-oscillator power requirement as well as wider gain and noise bandwidths. We introduce a proposal for integrated focal plane arrays of HEB mixers that will further increase the detection speed of terahertz systems.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1557-9670 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1560
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Author Kawamura, J.; Blundell, R.; Tong, C.-Y. E.; Papa, D. C.; Hunter, T. R.; Paine, S. N.; Patt, F.; Gol'tsman, G.; Cherednichenko, S.; Voronov, B.; Gershenzon, E.
Title Superconductive hot-electron-bolometer mixer receiver for 800-GHz operation Type Journal Article
Year 2000 Publication IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Techn. Abbreviated Journal IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Techn.
Volume (up) 48 Issue 4 Pages 683-689
Keywords NbN HEB mixers, LO power, local oscillator power, saturation, linearity, dynamic range
Abstract In this paper, we describe a superconductive hot-electron-bolometer mixer receiver designed to operate in the partially transmissive 350-μm atmospheric window. The receiver employs an NbN thin-film microbridge as the mixer element, in which the main cooling mechanism of the hot electrons is through electron-phonon interaction. At a local-oscillator frequency of 808 GHz, the measured double-sideband receiver noise temperature is TRX=970 K, across a 1-GHz intermediate-frequency bandwidth centered at 1.8 GHz. We have measured the linearity of the receiver and the amount of local-oscillator power incident on the mixer for optimal operation, which is PLO≈1 μW. This receiver was used in making observations as a facility instrument at the Heinrich Hertz Telescope, Mt. Graham, AZ, during the 1998-1999 winter observing season.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0018-9480 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number RPLAB @ lobanovyury @ Serial 573
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Vakhtomin, Y. B.; Finkel, M. I.; Antipov, S. V.; Smirnov, K. V.; Kaurova, N. S.; Drakinskii, V. N.; Voronov, B. M.; Gol’tsman, G. N.
Title The gain bandwidth of mixers based on the electron heating effect in an ultrathin NbN film on a Si substrate with a buffer MgO layer Type Journal Article
Year 2003 Publication J. of communications technol. & electronics Abbreviated Journal J. of communications technol. & electronics
Volume (up) 48 Issue 6 Pages 671-675
Keywords NbN HEB mixers
Abstract Measurements of the intermediate frequency band 900 GHz of mixers based on the electron heating effect (EHE) in 2-nm- and 3.5-nm-thick superconducting NbN films sputtered on MgO and Si substrates with buffer MgO layers are presented. A 2-nm-thick superconducting NbN film with a critical temperature of 9.2 K has been obtained for the first time using a buffer MgO layer.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher MAIK Nauka/Interperiodica, Birmingham, AL Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1064-2269 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes https://elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=17302119 (Полоса преобразования смесителей на эффекте разогрева электронов в ультратонких пленках NbN на подложках из Si с подслоем MgO) Approved no
Call Number Vakhtomin2003 Serial 1522
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Author Jiang, Ling; Miao, Wei; Zhang, Wen; Li, Ning; Lin, Zhen Hui; Yao, Qi Jun; Shi, Sheng-Cai; Svechnikov, S. I.; Vakhtomin, Y. B.; Antipov, S. V.; Voronov, B. M.; Kaurova, N. S.; Gol'tsman, G. N.
Title Characterization of a quasi-optical NbN superconducting HEB mixer Type Journal Article
Year 2006 Publication IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Techn. Abbreviated Journal IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Techn.
Volume (up) 54 Issue 7 Pages 2944-2948
Keywords NbN HEB mixers
Abstract In this paper, the performance of a quasi-optical NbN superconducting hot-electron bolometer (HEB) mixer, cryogenically cooled by a close-cycled 4-K refrigerator, is thoroughly investigated at 300, 500, and 850 GHz. The lowest receiver noise temperatures measured at the respective three frequencies are 1400, 900, and 1350 K, which can go down to 659, 413, and 529 K, respectively, after correcting the loss and associated noise contribution of the quasi-optical system before the measured superconducting HEB mixer. The stability of the quasi-optical superconducting HEB mixer is also investigated here. The Allan variance time measured with a local oscillator pumping at 500 GHz and an IF bandwidth of 110 MHz is 1.5 s at the dc-bias voltage exhibiting the lowest noise temperature and increases to 2.5 s at a dc bias twice that voltage.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0018-9480 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1448
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Author Pentin, I. V.; Smirnov, A. V.; Ryabchun, S. A.; Ozhegov, R. V.; Gol’tsman, G. N.; Vaks, V. L.; Pripolzin, S. I.; Pavel’ev, D. G.; Koshurinov, Y. I.; Ivanov, A. S.
Title Semiconducting superlattice as a solid-state terahertz local oscillator for NbN hot-electron bolometer mixers Type Journal Article
Year 2012 Publication Tech. Phys. Abbreviated Journal Tech. Phys.
Volume (up) 57 Issue 7 Pages 971-974
Keywords semiconducting superlattice frequency multiplier, NbN HEB mixers
Abstract We present the results of our studies of the semiconducting superlattice (SSL) frequency multiplier and its application as part of the solid state local oscillator (LO) in the terahertz heterodyne receiver based on a NbN hot-electron bolometer (HEB) mixer. We show that the SSL output power level increases as the ambient temperature is lowered to 4.2 K, the standard HEB operation temperature.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1063-7842 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1378
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Author Semenov, A. D.; Gousev, Y. P.; Nebosis, R. S.; Renk, K. F.; Yagoubov, P.; Voronov, B. M.; Gol’tsman, G. N.; Syomash, V. D.; Gershenzon, E. M.
Title Heterodyne detection of THz radiation with a superconducting hot‐electron bolometer mixer Type Journal Article
Year 1996 Publication Appl. Phys. Lett. Abbreviated Journal Appl. Phys. Lett.
Volume (up) 69 Issue 2 Pages 260-262
Keywords NbN HEB mixers
Abstract We report on the use of a superconducting hot‐electron bolometer mixer for heterodyne detection of terahertz radiation. Radiation with a wavelength of 119 μm was coupled to the mixer, a NbN microbridge, by a hybrid quasioptical antenna consisting of an extended hyperhemispherical lens and a planar logarithmic spiral antenna. We found, at an intermediate frequency of 1.5 GHz, a system double side band noise temperature of ≊40 000 K and conversion losses of 25 dB. We also discuss the possibilities of further improvement of the mixer performance.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0003-6951 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1610
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Author Ekstörm, H.; Kollberg, E.; Yagoubov, P.; Gol'tsman, G.; Gershenzon, E.; Yngvesson, S.
Title Gain and noise bandwidth of NbN hot-electron bolometric mixers Type Journal Article
Year 1997 Publication Appl. Phys. Lett. Abbreviated Journal Appl. Phys. Lett.
Volume (up) 70 Issue 24 Pages 3296-3298
Keywords NbN HEB mixers, conversion loss, conversion gain, U-factor technique
Abstract We have measured the noise performance and gain bandwidth of 35 Å thin NbN hot-electron mixers integrated with spiral antennas on silicon substrate lenses at 620 GHz. The best double-sideband receiver noise temperature is less than 1300 K with a 3 dB bandwidth of ≈5 GHz. The gain bandwidth is 3.2 GHz. The mixer output noise dominated by thermal fluctuations is 50 K, and the intrinsic conversion gain is about −12 dB. Without mismatch losses and excluding the loss from the beamsplitter, we expect to achieve a receiver noise temperature of less than 700 K.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 279
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Author Kawamura, J.; Blundell, R.; Tong, C.-yu E.; Gol’tsman, G.; Gershenzon, E.; Voronov, B.; Cherednichenko, S.
Title Low noise NbN lattice-cooled superconducting hot-electron bolometric mixers at submillimeter wavelengths Type Journal Article
Year 1997 Publication Appl. Phys. Lett. Abbreviated Journal Appl. Phys. Lett.
Volume (up) 70 Issue 12 Pages 1619-1621
Keywords NbN HEB mixers
Abstract Lattice-cooled superconducting hot-electron bolometric mixers are used in a submillimeter-wave waveguide heterodyne receiver. The mixer elements are niobium nitride film with 3.5 nm thickness and ∼10 μm2 area. The local oscillator power for optimal performance is estimated to be 0.5 μW, and the instantaneous bandwidth is 2.2 GHz. At an intermediate frequency centered at 1.4 GHz with 200 MHz bandwidth, the double sideband receiver noise temperature is 410 K at 430 GHz. The receiver has been used to detect molecular line emission in a laboratory gas cell.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0003-6951 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1599
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Author Yagoubov, P.; Kroug, M.; Merkel, H.; Kollberg, E.; Gol'tsman, G.; Svechnikov, S.; Gershenzon, E.
Title Noise temperature and local oscillator power requirement of NbN phonon-cooled hot electron bolometric mixers at terahertz frequencies Type Journal Article
Year 1998 Publication Appl. Phys. Lett. Abbreviated Journal Appl. Phys. Lett.
Volume (up) 73 Issue 19 Pages 2814-2816
Keywords NbN HEB mixers, noise temperature, local oscillator power
Abstract In this letter, the noise performance of NbN-based phonon-cooled hot electron bolometric quasioptical mixers is investigated in the 0.55–1.1 THz frequency range. The best results of the double-sideband <cd><2018>DSB<cd><2019> noise temperature are: 500 K at 640 GHz, 600 K at 750 GHz, 850 K at 910 GHz, and 1250 K at 1.1 THz. The water vapor in the signal path causes significant contribution to the measured receiver noise temperature around 1.1 THz. The devices are made from 3-nm-thick NbN film on high-resistivity Si and integrated with a planar spiral antenna on the same substrate. The in-plane dimensions of the bolometer strip are typically 0.2Ï«2 um. The amount of local oscillator power absorbed in the bolometer is less than 100 nW.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 911
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Author Kawamura, J.; Blundell, R.; Tong, C.‐yu E.; Gol’tsman, G.; Gershenzon, E.; Voronov, B.
Title Performance of NbN lattice‐cooled hot‐electron bolometric mixers Type Journal Article
Year 1996 Publication J. Appl. Phys. Abbreviated Journal J. Appl. Phys.
Volume (up) 80 Issue 7 Pages 4232-4234
Keywords NbN HEB mixers
Abstract The heterodyne performance of lattice‐cooled hot‐electron bolometric mixers is measured at 200 GHz. Superconducting thin‐film niobium nitride strips with ∼5 nm thickness are used as waveguide mixer elements. A double‐sideband receiver noise temperature of 750 K at 244 GHz is measured at an intermediate frequency centered at 1.5 GHz with 500 MHz bandwidth and with 4.2 K device temperature. The instantaneous bandwidth for this mixer is 1.6 GHz. The local oscillator power required by the mixer is about 0.5 μW. The mixer is linear to within 1 dB up to an input power level 6 dB below the local oscillator power. A receiver incorporating a hot‐electron bolometric mixer was used to detect molecular line emission in a laboratory gascell. This experiment unambiguously confirms that the receiver noise temperature determined from Y‐factor measurements reflects the true heterodyne sensitivity.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0021-8979 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1607
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Author Baselmans, J. J. A.; Hajenius, M.; Gao, J. R.; Klapwijk, T. M.; de Korte, P. A. J.; Voronov, B.; Gol'tsman, G.
Title Doubling of sensitivity and bandwidth in phonon cooled hot electron bolometer mixers Type Journal Article
Year 2004 Publication Appl. Phys. Lett. Abbreviated Journal Appl. Phys. Lett.
Volume (up) 84 Issue 11 Pages 1958-1960
Keywords NbN HEB mixers
Abstract We demonstrate that the performance of NbN lattice cooled hot electron bolometer mixers depends strongly on the interface quality between the bolometer and the contact structure. We show experimentally that both the receiver noise temperature and the gain bandwidth can be improved by more than a factor of 2 by cleaning the interface and adding an additional superconducting interlayer to the contact pad. Using this we obtain a double sideband receiver noise temperature TN,DSB=950 K

at 2.5 THz and 4.3 K, uncorrected for losses in the optics. At the same bias point, we obtain an IF gain bandwidth of 6 GHz.
Address
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
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Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 352
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Author Hübers, H.-W.; Semenov, A.; Holldack, K.; Schade, U.; Wüstefeld, G.; Gol’tsman, G.
Title Time domain analysis of coherent terahertz synchrotron radiation Type Journal Article
Year 2005 Publication Appl. Phys. Lett. Abbreviated Journal Appl. Phys. Lett.
Volume (up) 87 Issue 18 Pages 184103 (1 to 3)
Keywords NbN HEB mixers, applications
Abstract The time structure of coherent terahertz synchrotron radiation at the electron storage ring of the Berliner Elektronensynchrotron und Speicherring Gesellschaft has been analyzed with a fast superconducting hot-electron bolometer. The emission from a single bunch of electrons was found to last ∼1500ps at frequencies around 0.4THz, which is much longer than the length of an electron bunch in the time domain (∼5ps). It is suggested that this is caused by multiple reflections at the walls of the beam line. The quadratic increase of the power with the number of electrons in the bunch as predicted for coherent synchrotron radiation and the transition from stable to bursting radiation were determined from a single storage ring fill pattern of bunches with different populations.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0003-6951 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1457
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Author Semenov, A. D.; Gol’tsman, G. N.
Title Nonthermal mixing mechanism in a diffusion-cooled hot-electron detector Type Journal Article
Year 2000 Publication J. Appl. Phys. Abbreviated Journal J. Appl. Phys.
Volume (up) 87 Issue 1 Pages 502-510
Keywords NbN HEB mixers, nonthermal
Abstract We present an analysis of a diffusion-cooled hot-electron detector fabricated from clean superconducting material with low transition temperature. The distinctive feature of a clean material, i.e., material with large electron mean free path, is a relatively weak inelastic electron scattering that is not sufficient for the establishment of an elevated thermodynamic electron temperature when the detector is subjected to irradiation. We propose an athermal model of a diffusion-cooled detector that relies on suppression of the superconducting energy gap by the actual dynamic distribution of excess quasiparticles. The resistive state of the device is caused by the electric field penetrating into the superconducting bridge from metal contacts. The dependence of the penetration length on the energy gap delivers the detection mechanism. The sources of the electric noise are equilibrium fluctuations of the number of thermal quasiparticles and frequency dependent shot noise. Using material parameters typical for A1, we evaluate performance of the device in the heterodyne regime at terahertz frequencies. Estimates show that the mixer may have a noise temperature of a few quantum limits and a bandwidth of a few tens of GHz, while the required local oscillator power is in the μW range due to ineffective suppression of the energy gap by quasiparticles with high energies.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0021-8979 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1558
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Author Khosropanah, P.; Gao, J. R.; Laauwen, W. M.; Hajenius, M; Klapwijk, T. M.
Title Low noise NbN hot electron bolometer mixer at 4.3 THz Type Journal Article
Year 2007 Publication Appl. Phys. Lett. Abbreviated Journal Appl. Phys. Lett.
Volume (up) 91 Issue Pages 221111 (1 to 3)
Keywords NbN HEB mixers, NbN, contacts cleaning
Abstract We have studied the sensitivity of a superconducting NbN hot electron bolometer mixer integrated with a spiral antenna at 4.3 THz. Using hot/cold blackbody loads and a beam splitter all in vacuum, we measured a double sideband receiver noise temperature of 1300 K at the optimum local oscillator (LO) power of 330 nW, which is about 12 times the quantum noise (hnu/2kB). Our result indicates that there is no sign of degradation of the mixing process at the superterahertz frequencies. Moreover, a measurement method is introduced which allows us for an accurate determination of the sensitivity despite LO power fluctuations.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
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ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 584
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Author Baselmans, J. J. A.; Baryshev, A.; Reker, S. F.; Hajenius, M.; Gao, J. R.; Klapwijk, T. M.; Voronov, B.; Gol’tsman, G.
Title Influence of the direct response on the heterodyne sensitivity of hot electron bolometer mixers Type Journal Article
Year 2006 Publication J. Appl. Phys. Abbreviated Journal J. Appl. Phys.
Volume (up) 100 Issue 8 Pages 084510 (1 to 7)
Keywords NbN HEB mixers
Abstract We present a detailed experimental study of the direct detection effect in a small volume (0.15μm×1μm×3.5nm) quasioptical NbN phonon cooled hot electron bolometer mixer at 673GHz. We find that the small signal noise temperature, relevant for an astronomical observation, is 20% lower than the noise temperature obtained using 300 and 77K calibration loads. In a separate set of experiments we show that the direct detection effect is caused by a combination of bias current reduction when switching from the 77 to the 300K

load in combination with the bias current dependence of the receiver gain. The bias current dependence of the receiver gain is shown to be mainly caused by the current dependence of the mixer gain.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0021-8979 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1442
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Author Kooi, J. W.; Baselmans, J. J. A.; Baryshev, A.; Schieder, R.; Hajenius, M.; Gao, J.R.; Klapwijk, T. M.; Voronov, B.; Gol’tsman, G.
Title Stability of heterodyne terahertz receivers Type Journal Article
Year 2006 Publication J. Appl. Phys. Abbreviated Journal J. Appl. Phys.
Volume (up) 100 Issue 6 Pages 064904 (1 to 9)
Keywords NbN HEB mixers
Abstract In this paper we discuss the stability of heterodyne terahertz receivers based on small volume NbN phonon cooled hot electron bolometers (HEBs). The stability of these receivers can be broken down in two parts: the intrinsic stability of the HEB mixer and the stability of the local oscillator (LO) signal injection scheme. Measurements show that the HEB mixer stability is limited by gain fluctuations with a 1∕f spectral distribution. In a 60MHz noise bandwidth this results in an Allan variance stability time of ∼0.3s. Measurement of the spectroscopic Allan variance between two intermediate frequency (IF) channels results in a much longer Allan variance stability time, i.e., 3s between a 2.5 and a 4.7GHz channel, and even longer for more closely spaced channels. This implies that the HEB mixer 1∕f noise is strongly correlated across the IF band and that the correlation gets stronger the closer the IF channels are spaced. In the second part of the paper we discuss atmospheric and mechanical system stability requirements on the LO-mixer cavity path length. We calculate the mixer output noise fluctuations as a result of small perturbations of the LO-mixer standing wave, and find very stringent mechanical and atmospheric tolerance requirements for receivers operating at terahertz frequencies.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0021-8979 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1444
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Author Miao, W.; Zhang, W.; Zhong, J. Q.; Shi, S. C.; Delorme, Y.; Lefevre, R.; Feret, A; Vacelet, T
Title Non-uniform absorption of terahertz radiation on superconducting hot electron bolometer microbridges Type Journal Article
Year 2014 Publication Appl. Phys. Lett. Abbreviated Journal <ef><bf><bc>Appl. Phys. Lett.
Volume (up) 104 Issue Pages 052605(1-4)
Keywords NbN HEB mixers, local oscillator power, RF nonuniform absorption
Abstract We interpret the experimental observation of a frequency-dependence of superconducting hot electron bolometer (HEB) mixers by taking into account the non-uniform absorption of the terahertz radiation on the superconducting HEB microbridge. The radiation absorption is assumed to be proportional to the local surface resistance of the HEB microbridge, which is computed using the Mattis-Bardeen theory. With this assumption the dc and mixing characteristics of a superconducting niobium-nitride (NbN) HEB device have been modeled at frequencies below and above the equilibrium gap frequency of the NbN film.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 935
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Author Anfertev, V.; Vaks, V.; Revin, L.; Pentin, I.; Tretyakov, I.; Goltsman, G.; Vinogradov, E. A.; Naumov, A. V.; Gladush, M. G.; Karimullin, K. R.
Title High resolution THz gas spectrometer based on semiconductor and superconductor devices Type Conference Article
Year 2017 Publication EPJ Web Conf. Abbreviated Journal EPJ Web Conf.
Volume (up) 132 Issue Pages 02001 (1 to 2)
Keywords NbN HEB mixers, detectors, THz spectroscopy
Abstract The high resolution THz gas spectrometer consists of a synthesizer based on Gunn generator with a semiconductor superlattice frequency multiplier as a radiation source, and an NbN hot electron bolometer in a direct detection mode as a THz radiation receiver was presented. The possibility of application of a quantum cascade laser as a local oscillator for a heterodyne receiver which is based on an NbN hot electron bolometer mixer is shown. The ways for further developing of the THz spectroscopy were outlined.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2100-014X ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1328
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Author Schubert, J.; Semenov, A.; Hübers, H.-W.; Gol'tsman, G.; Schwaab, G.; Voronov, B.; Gershenzon, E.
Title Broad-band terahertz NbN hot-electron bolometric mixer Type Conference Article
Year 1999 Publication Inst. Phys. Conf. Abbreviated Journal Inst. Phys. Conf.
Volume (up) 167 Issue Pages 663-666
Keywords NbN HEB mixers
Abstract
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference 4th Europ. Conf. on Appl. Superconductivity, Barcelona, Spain, 14-17 September 1999
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1578
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Author Semenov, A.; Richter, H.; Hübers, H.-W.; Smirnov, K.; Voronov, B.; Gol'tsman, G.
Title Development of terahertz superconducting hot-electron bolometer mixers Type Conference Article
Year 2003 Publication Proc. 6th European Conf. Appl. Supercond. Abbreviated Journal Proc. 6th European Conf. Appl. Supercond.
Volume (up) 181 Issue Pages 2960-2965
Keywords NbN HEB mixers
Abstract We present recent results of the development of phonon cooled hot-electron bolometric (HEB) mixers for airborne and balloon borne terahertz heterodyne receivers. Three iomportant issues have been addresses: the quality of NbN films the HEB mixers were made from, the spectral properties of the HEB mixers and the local oscillator power required for optical operation. Studies with an atomic force microscope indicate, that the performance of the HEB mixer might have been effected by the microstructure of the NbN film. Antenna gain and noise temperature were investigated at terahertz frequencies for a HEB embedded in either log-spiral or twin-slot feed antenna. Comparison suggests that at frequencies above 3 THz the spiral feed provides better overall performance. At 1.6 THz, a power of 2.5 µW was required from the local oscillator for optimal operation of the HEB mixer.
Address Sorrento, Italy
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN 0750309814, 978-0750309813 Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1505
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Author Semenov, A. D.; Hübers, H.-W.; Richter, H.; Birk, M.; Krocka, M.; Mair, U.; Smirnov, K.; Gol'tsman, G. N.; Voronov, B. M.
Title 2.5 THz heterodyne receiver with NbN hot-electron-bolometer mixer Type Journal Article
Year 2002 Publication Phys. C: Supercond. Abbreviated Journal Phys. C: Supercond.
Volume (up) 372-376 Issue Pages 448-453
Keywords NbN HEB mixers, applications
Abstract We describe a 2.5 THz heterodyne receiver for applications in astronomy and atmospheric research. The receiver employs a superconducting NbN phonon-cooled hot-electron-bolometer mixer and an optically pumped far-infrared gas laser as local oscillator. 2200 K double sideband mixer noise temperature was measured at 2.5 THz across a 1 GHz intermediate frequency bandwidth centred at 1.5 GHz. The total conversion losses were 17 dB. The mixer response was linear at load temperatures smaller than 400 K. The receiver was tested in the laboratory environment by measuring the methanol line in emission. Observed pressure broadening confirms the true heterodyne detection regime of the mixer.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0921-4534 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1526
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Author Cherednichenko, S.; Kroug, M.; Merkel, H.; Khosropanah, P.; Adam, A.; Kollberg, E.; Loudkov, D.; Gol'tsman, G.; Voronov, B.; Richter, H.; Huebers, H.-W.
Title 1.6 THz heterodyne receiver for the far infrared space telescope Type Journal Article
Year 2002 Publication Phys. C: Supercond. Abbreviated Journal Phys. C: Supercond.
Volume (up) 372-376 Issue Pages 427-431
Keywords NbN HEB mixers, applications
Abstract A low noise heterodyne receiver is being developed for the terahertz range using a phonon-cooled hot-electron bolometric mixer based on 3.5 nm thick superconducting NbN film. In the 1–2 GHz intermediate frequency band the double-sideband receiver noise temperature was 450 K at 0.6 THz, 700 K at 1.6 THz and 1100 K at 2.5 THz. In the 3–8 GHz IF band the lowest receiver noise temperature was 700 K at 0.6 THz, 1500 K at 1.6 THz and 3000 K at 2.5 THz while it increased by a factor of 3 towards 8 GHz.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0921-4534 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1527
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Author Gol'tsman, G.; Maslennikov, S.; Finkel, M.; Antipov, S.; Kaurova, N.; Grishina, E.; Polyakov, S.; Vachtomin, Y.; Svechnikov, S.; Smirnov, K.; Voronov, B.
Title Nanostructured ultrathin NbN film as a terahertz hot-electron bolometer mixer Type Conference Article
Year 2006 Publication Proc. MRS Abbreviated Journal Proc. MRS
Volume (up) 935 Issue Pages 210 (1 to 6)
Keywords NbN HEB mixers
Abstract Planar spiral antenna coupled and directly lens coupled NbN HEB mixer structures are studied. An additional MgO buffer layer between the superconducting film and Si substrate is introduced. The buffer layer enables us to increase the gain bandwidth of a HEB mixer due to better acoustic transparency. The gain bandwidth is widened as NbN film thickness decreases and amounts to 5.2 GHz. The noise temperature of antenna coupled mixer is 1300 and 3100 K at 2.5 and 3.8 THz respectively. The structure and composition of NbN films is investigated by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy methods. Noise performance degradation at LO frequencies more than 3 THz is due to the use of a planar antenna and signal loss in contacts between the antenna and the sensitive NbN bridge. The mixer is reconfigured for operation at higher frequencies in a manner that receiver’s noise temperature is only 2300 K (3 times of quantum limit) at LO frequency of 30 THz.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0272-9172 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1440
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Author Schwaab, G.W.; Auen, K.; Bruendermann, E.; Feinaeugle, R.; Gol’tsman, G.N.; Huebers, H.-W.; Krabbe, A.; Roeser, H.-P.; Sirmain, G.
Title 2- to 6-THz heterodyne receiver array for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) Type Conference Article
Year 1998 Publication Proc. SPIE Abbreviated Journal Proc. SPIE
Volume (up) 3357 Issue Pages 85-96
Keywords NbN HEB mixers, applications, stratospheric observatory, airborne
Abstract The Institute of Space Sensor Technology of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) is developing a heterodyne array receiver for the frequency range 2 to 6 THz for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). Key science issues in that frequency range are the observation of lines of atoms [e.g. (OI)], ions [e.g. (CII), (NII)], and molecules (e.g. OH, HD, CO) with high spectral resolution to study the dynamics and evolution of galactic and extragalactic objects. Long term goal is the development of an integrated array heterodyne receiver with superconducting hot electron bolometric (HEB) mixers and p-type Ge or Si lasers as local oscillators. The first generation receiver will be composed of HEB mixers in a 2 pixel 2 polarization array which will be pumped by a gas laser local oscillator. Improved Schottky diode mixers are the backup solution for the HEBs. The state of the art of HEB mixer and p-type Ge laser technology are described as well as possible improvements in the ’conventional’ optically pumped far-infrared laser and Schottky diode mixer technology. Finally, the frequency coverage of the first generation heterodyne receiver for some important astronomical transitions is discussed. The expected sensitivity is compared to line fluxes measured by the ISO satellite.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher SPIE Place of Publication Editor Phillips, T.G.
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference Advanced Technology MMW, Radio, and Terahertz Telescopes
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1583
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Author Yngvesson, K. S.; Gerecht, E.; Musante, C. F.; Zhuang, Y.; Ji, M.; Goyette, T. M.; Dickinson, J. C.; Waldman, J.; Yagoubov, P. A.; Gol’tsman, G. N.; Voronov, B. M.; Gershenzon, E. M.
Title Low-noise HEB heterodyne receivers and focal plane arrays for the THz regime using NbN Type Conference Article
Year 1999 Publication Proc. SPIE Abbreviated Journal Proc. SPIE
Volume (up) 3795 Issue Pages 357-368
Keywords NbN HEB mixers
Abstract We have developed prototype HEB receivers using thin film superconducting NbN devices deposited on silicon substrates. The devices are quasi-optically coupled through a silicon lens and a self-complementary log-specific toothed antenna. We measured DSB receiver noise temperatures of 500 K (13 X hf/2k) at 1.56 THz and 1,100 K (20 X hf/2k) at 2.24 THz. Noise temperatures are expected to fall further as devices and quasi-optical coupling methods are being optimized. The measured 3 dB IF conversion gain bandwidth for one device was 3 GHz, and it is estimated that the bandwidth over which the receiver noise temperature is within 3 dB of its minimum value is 6.5 GHz which is sufficient for a number of practical applications. We will discuss our latest results and give a detailed description of our prototype setup and experiments. We will also discuss our plans for developing focal plane arrays with tens of Hot Electron Bolometric mixer elements on a single silicon substrate which will make real time imaging systems in the THz region feasible.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher SPIE Place of Publication Editor Hwu, R.J.; Wu, K.
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference Terahertz and Gigahertz Photonics
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1561
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Author Huebers, H.-W.; Schubert, J.; Semenov, A.; Gol’tsman, G. N.; Voronov, B. M.; Gershenzon, E. M.; Schwaab, G. W.
Title NbN phonon-cooled hot-electron bolometer as a mixer for THz heterodyne receivers Type Conference Article
Year 1999 Publication Proc. SPIE Abbreviated Journal Proc. SPIE
Volume (up) 3828 Issue Pages 410-416
Keywords NbN HEB mixers
Abstract We have investigated a phonon-cooled NbN hot electron bolometric (HEB) mixer in the frequency range from 0.7 THz to 5.2 THz. The device was a 3.5 nm thin film with an in- plane dimension of 1.7 X 0.2 micrometers 2 integrated in a complementary logarithmic spiral antenna. The measured DSB receiver noise temperatures are 1500 K, 2200 K, 2600 K, 2900 K, 4000 K, 5600 K and 8800 K. The sensitivity fluctuation, the long term stability, and the antenna pattern were measured and the suitability of the mixer for a practical heterodyne receiver is discussed.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Spie Place of Publication Editor Chamberlain, J.M.
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference Terahertz Spectroscopy and Applications II
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1477
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Author Huebers, H.-W.; Semenov, A.; Schubert, J.; Gol’tsman, G. N.; Voronov, B. M.; Gershenzon, E. M.; Krabbe, A.; Roeser, H.-P.
Title NbN hot-electron bolometer as THz mixer for SOFIA Type Conference Article
Year 2000 Publication Proc. SPIE Abbreviated Journal Proc. SPIE
Volume (up) 4014 Issue Pages 195-202
Keywords NbN HEB mixers, airborne, stratospheric observatory, SOFIA
Abstract Heterodyne receivers for applications in astronomy need quantum limited sensitivity. We have investigated phonon- cooled NbN hot electron bolometric mixers in the frequency range from 0.7 THz to 5.2 THz. The devices were 3.5 nm thin films with an in-plane dimension of 1.7 X 0.2 micrometers 2 integrated in a complementary logarithmic spiral antenna. The best measured DSB receiver noise temperatures are 1300 K (0.7 THz), 2000 K (1.4 THz), 2100 K (1.6 THz), 2600 K (2.5 THz), 4000 K (3.1 THz), 5600 K (4.3 THz), and 8800 K (5.2 THz). The sensitivity fluctuation, the long term stability, and the antenna pattern were measured. The results demonstrate that this mixer is very well suited for GREAT, the German heterodyne receiver for SOFIA.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher SPIE Place of Publication Editor Melugin, R.K.; Roeser, H.-P.
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference Airborne Telescope Systems
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1554
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Author Huebers, H.-W.; Semenov, A.; Richter, H.; Birk, M.; Krocka, M.; Mair, U.; Smirnov, K.; Gol’tsman, G. N.; Voronov, B. M.
Title Superconducting hot electron bolometer as mixer for far-infrared heterodyne receivers Type Conference Article
Year 2003 Publication Proc. SPIE Abbreviated Journal Proc. SPIE
Volume (up) 4855 Issue Pages 395-401
Keywords NbN HEB mixers
Abstract Heterodyne receivers for applications in astronomy need quantum limited sensitivity. In instruments which are currently under development for SOFIA or Herschel superconducting hot electron bolometers (HEB) will be used to achieve this goal at frequencies above 1.4 THz. We present results of the development of a phonon-cooled NbN HEB mixer for GREAT, the German Receiver for Astronomy at Terahertz Frequencies, which will be flown aboard SOFIA. The mixer is a small superconducting bridge incorporated in a planar feed antenna and a hyperhemispherical lens. 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 2.5 THz a double sideband noise temperature of 2200 K was achieved. The conversion loss was 17 dB. The response of the mixer was linear up to 400 K load temperature. The performance was verified by measuring an emission line of methanol at 2.5 THz. The measured linewidth is in good agreement with the linewidth deduced from pressure broadening measurements at millimeter wavelength. The results demonstrate that the NbN HEB is very well suited as a mixer for far-infrared heterodyne receivers.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher SPIE Place of Publication Tucson, USA Editor Phillips, T. G.; Zmuidzinas, J.
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Presented at the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) Conference Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume 4855 Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference Millimeter and Submillimeter Detectors for Astronomy
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 335
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Author Cherednichenko, S.; Khosropanah, P.; Adam, A.; Merkel, H. F.; Kollberg, E. L.; Loudkov, D.; Gol'tsman, G. N.; Voronov, B. M.; Richter, H.; Huebers, H.-W.
Title 1.4- to 1.7-THz NbN hot-electron bolometer mixer for the Herschel space observatory Type Conference Article
Year 2003 Publication Proc. SPIE Abbreviated Journal Proc. SPIE
Volume (up) 4855 Issue Pages 361-370
Keywords NbN HEB mixers
Abstract NbN hot- electron bolometer mixers have reached the level of 10hv/k in terms of the input noise temperature with the noise bandwidth of 4-6 GHz from subMM band up to 2.5 THz. In this paper we discuss the major characteristics of this kind of receiver, i.e. the gain and the noise bandwidth, the noise temperature in a wide RF band, bias regimes and optimisation of RF coupling to the quasioptical mixer. We present the status of the development of the mixer for Band 6 Low for Herschel Telescope.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher SPIE Place of Publication Editor Phillips, T.G.; Zmuidzinas, J.
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference Millimeter and Submillimeter Detectors for Astronomy
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1521
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Author Baubert, J.; Salez, M.; Delorme, Y.; Pons, P.; Goltsman, G.; Merkel, H.; Leconte, B.
Title Membrane-based HEB mixer for THz applications Type Conference Article
Year 2003 Publication Proc. SPIE Abbreviated Journal Proc. SPIE
Volume (up) 5116 Issue Pages 551-562
Keywords membrane NbN HEB mixers, heterodyne receiver, stress-less membrane, coupling efficiency, submillimeter-waves frequency, low-cost space applications
Abstract We report in this paper a new concept for 2.7 THz superconducting Niobium nitride (NbN) Hot-Electron Bolometer mixer (HEB). The membrane process was developped for space telecommnunication applications a few years ago and the HEB mixer concept is now considered as the best choice for low-noise submillimeter-wave frequency heterodyne receivers. The idea is then to join these two technologies. The novel fabrication scheme is to fabricate a NbN HEB mixer on a 1 μm thick stress-less Si3N4/SiO2 membrane. This seems to present numerous improvements concerning : use at higher RF frequencies, power coupling efficiency, HEB mixer sensitivity, noise temperature, and space applications. This work is to be continued within the framework of an ESA TRP project, a 2.7 THz heterodyne camera with numerous applications including a SOFIA airborne receiver. This paper presents the whole fabrication process, the validation tests and preliminary results. Membrane-based HEB mixer theory is currently being investigated and further tests such as heterodyne and Fourier transform spectrometry measurement are planed shortly.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher SPIE Place of Publication Editor Chiao, J.-C.; Varadan, V.K.; Cané, C.
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference Smart Sensors, Actuators, and MEMS
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1520
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Author Hubers, H.-W.; Semenov, A.; Richter, H.; Schwarz, M.; Gunther, B.; Smirnov, K.; Gol’tsman, G.; Voronov, B.
Title Heterodyne receiver for 3-5 THz with hot-electron bolometer mixer Type Conference Article
Year 2004 Publication Proc. SPIE Abbreviated Journal Proc. SPIE
Volume (up) 5498 Issue Pages 579-586
Keywords NbN HEB mixers
Abstract Heterodyne receivers for applications in astronomy and planetary research need quantum limited sensitivity. In instruments which are currently build for SOFIA and Herschel superconducting hot electron bolometers (HEB) will be used to achieve this goal at frequencies above 1.4 THz. The local oscillator and the mixer are the most critical components for a heterodyne receiver operating at 3-5 THz. The design and performance of an optically pumped THz gas laser optimized for this frequency band will be presented. In order to optimize the performance for this frequency hot electron bolometer mixers with different in-plane dimensions and logarithmic-spiral feed antennas have been investigated. Their noise temperatures and beam patterns were measured. Above 3 THz the best performance was achieved with a superconducting bridge of 2.0 x 0.2 μm2 incorporated in a logarithmic spiral antenna. The DSB noise temperatures were 2700 K, 4700 K and 6400 K at 3.1 THz, 4.3 THz and 5.2 THz, respectively. The results demonstrate that the NbN HEB is very well suited as a mixer for THz heterodyne receivers up to at least 5 THz.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher SPIE Place of Publication Editor Zmuidzinas, J.; Holland, W.S.; Withington, S.
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference Millimeter and Submillimeter Detectors for Astronomy II
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1483
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Author Gol'tsman, Gregory N.; Vachtomin, Yuriy B.; Antipov, Sergey V.; Finkel, Matvey I.; Maslennikov, Sergey N.; Smirnov, Konstantin V.; Polyakov, Stanislav L.; Svechnikov, Sergey I.; Kaurova, Natalia S.; Grishina, Elisaveta V.; Voronov, Boris M.
Title NbN phonon-cooled hot-electron bolometer mixer for terahertz heterodyne receivers Type Conference Article
Year 2005 Publication Proc. SPIE Abbreviated Journal Proc. SPIE
Volume (up) 5727 Issue Pages 95-106
Keywords NbN HEB mixers
Abstract We present the results of our studies of NbN phonon-cooled HEB mixers at terahertz frequencies. The mixers were fabricated from NbN film deposited on a high-resistivity Si substrate with an MgO buffer layer. The mixer element was integrated with a log-periodic spiral antenna. The noise temperature measurements were performed at 2.5 THz and at 3.8 THz local oscillator frequencies for the 3 x 0.2 μm2 active area devices. The best uncorrected receiver noise temperatures found for these frequencies are 1300 K and 3100 K, respectively. A water vapour discharge laser was used as the LO source. The largest gain bandwidth of 5.2 GHz was achieved for a mixer based on 2 nm thick NbN film deposited on MgO layer over Si substrate. The gain bandwidth of the mixer based on 3.5 nm NbN film deposited on Si with MgO is 4.2 GHz and the noise bandwidth for the same device amounts to 5 GHz. We also present the results of our research into decrease of the direct detection contribution to the measured Y-factor and a possible error of noise temperature calculation. The use of a square nickel cell mesh as an IR-filter enabled us to avoid the effect of direct detection and measure apparent value of the noise temperature which was 16% less than that obtained using conventional black polyethylene IR-filter.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference Terahertz and Gigahertz Electronics and Photonics IV
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 378
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Author Ryabchun, S.; Tong, C.-yu E.; Blundell, R.; Kimberk, R.; Gol’tsman, G.
Title Effect of microwave radiation on the stability of terahertz hot-electron bolometer mixers Type Conference Article
Year 2006 Publication Proc. SPIE Abbreviated Journal Proc. SPIE
Volume (up) 6373 Issue Pages 63730J (1 to 5)
Keywords NbN HEB mixers, hot-electron bolometer mixers, stability, Allan variance, LO power fluctuations
Abstract We report our studies of the effect of microwave radiation, with a frequency much lower than that corresponding to the energy gap of the superconductor, on the performance of the NbN hot-electron bolometer (HEB) mixer incorporated into a THz heterodyne receiver. It is shown that exposing the HEB mixer to microwave radiation does not result in a significant rise of the receiver noise temperature and degradation of the mixer conversion gain so long as the level of microwave power is small compared to the local oscillator drive. Hence the injection of a small, but controlled amount of microwave radiation enables active compensation of local oscillator power and coupling fluctuations which can significantly degrade the stability of HEB mixer receivers.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher SPIE Place of Publication Editor Anwar, M.; DeMaria, A.J.; Shur, M.S.
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference Terahertz Physics, Devices, and Systems
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1441
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Author Zhang, W.; Li, N.; Jiang, L.; Ren, Y.; Yao, Q.-J.; Lin, Z.-H.; Shi, S.-C.; Voronov, B. M.; Gol’tsman, G. N.
Title Dependence of noise temperature of quasi-optical superconducting hot-electron bolometer mixers on bath temperature and optical-axis displacement Type Conference Article
Year 2008 Publication Proc. SPIE Abbreviated Journal Proc. SPIE
Volume (up) 6840 Issue Pages 684007 (1 to 8)
Keywords NbN HEB mixers, noise temperature, LO power
Abstract It is known that the increase of bath temperature results in the decrease of critical current of superconducting hot-electron bolometer (HEB) mixers owing to the depression of superconductivity, thus leading to the degradation of the mixer’s sensitivity. Here we report our study on the effect of bath temperature on the heterodyne mixing performance of quasi-optical superconducting NbN HEB mixers incorporated with a two-arm log-spiral antenna. The correlation between the bath temperature, critical current, LO power requirement and noise temperature is investigated at 0.5 THz. Furthermore, the heterodyne mixing performance of quasi-optical superconducting NbN HEB mixers is examined while there is an optical-axis displacement between the center of the extended hemispherical silicon lens and the superconducting NbN HEB device, which is placed on the back of the lens. Detailed experimental results and analysis are presented.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Spie Place of Publication Editor Zhang, C.; Zhang, X.-C.
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference Terahertz Photonics
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1415
Permanent link to this record