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Ozhegov, R., Maslennikov, S., Morozov, D., Okunev, O., Smirnov, K., & Gol'tsman, G. (2004). Imaging system for submillimeter wave range. In Proc. Tenth All-Russian sceintific conference of student-physicists and young sceintists (VNKSF-10). Moscow.
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Maslennikov, S., Vachtomin, Y., Antipov, S., Smirnov, K., Kaurova, N., Grishina, E., et al. (2004). NbN HEB mixers for frequencies of 2.5 and 3.8 THz. In Proc. Tenth All-Russian sceintific conference of student-physicists and young sceintists (VNKSF-10). Moscow.
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Antipov, S. V., Vachtomin, Y. B., Maslennikov, S. N., Smirnov, K. V., Kaurova, N. S., Grishina, E. V., et al. (2004). Noise performance of quasioptical ultrathin NbN hot electron bolometer mixer at 2.5 and 3.8 THz. In Proc. 5-th MSMW (Vol. 2, pp. 592–594). Kharkov, Ukraine.
Abstract: To put space-based and airborne heterodyne instruments into operation at frequencies above 1 THz the superconducting NbN hot-electron bolometer (HEB) will be incorporated into heterodyne receiver as a mixer. At frequencies above 1.3 THz the sensitivity of the NbN HEB mixers outperform the one of the Schottky diodes and SIS-mixers, and the receiver noise temperature of the NbN HEB mixers increase with frequency. In this paper we present the results of the noise temperature measurements within one batch of NbN HEB mixers based on 3.5 mn thick superconducting NbN film grown on Si substrate with MgO buffer layer at the LO frequencies 2.5 THz and 3.8 THz.
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Vachtomin, Y. B., Antipov, S. V., Kaurova, N. S., Maslennikov, S. N., Smirnov, K. V., Polyakov, S. L., et al. (2004). Noise temperature, gain bandwidth and local oscillator power of NbN phonon-cooled HEB mixer at terahertz frequenciess. In Proc. 29th IRMMW / 12th THz (pp. 329–330). Karlsruhe, Germany.
Abstract: We present the performances of HEB mixers based on 3.5 nm thick NbN film integrated with log-periodic spiral antenna. The double side-band receiver noise temperature values are 1300 K and 3100 K at 2.5 THz and at 3.8 THz, respectively. The gain bandwidth of the mixer is 4.2 GHz and the noise bandwidth is 5 GHz. The local oscillator power is 1-3 /spl mu/W for mixers with different active area.
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Kaurova, N. S., Finkel, M. I., Maslennikov, S. N., Vahtomin, Y. B., Antipov, S. V., Smirnov, K. V., et al. (2004). Submillimeter mixer based on YBa2Cu3O7-x thin film. In Proc. 1-st conf. Fundamental problems of high temperature superconductivity (291). Moscow-Zvenigorod.
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Korneev, A., Kouminov, P., Matvienko, V., Chulkova, G., Smirnov, K., Voronov, B., et al. (2004). Sensitivity and gigahertz counting performance of NbN superconducting single-photon detectors. Appl. Phys. Lett., 84(26), 5338–5340.
Abstract: We have measured the quantum efficiencysQEd, GHz counting rate, jitter, and noise-equivalentpowersNEPdof nanostructured NbN superconducting single-photon detectorssSSPDsdin thevisible to infrared radiation range. Our 3.5-nm-thick and 100- to 200-nm-wide meander-typedevices(total area 10310mm2), operating at 4.2 K, exhibit an experimental QE of up to 20% inthe visible range and,10% at 1.3 to 1.55mm wavelength and are potentially sensitive up tomidinfrareds,10mmdradiation. The SSPD counting rate was measured to be above 2 GHz withjitter,18 ps, independent of the wavelength. The devices’ NEP varies from,10−17W/Hz1/2for1.55mm photons to,10−20W/Hz1/2for visible radiation. Lowering the SSPD operatingtemperature to 2.3 K significantly enhanced its performance, by increasing the QE to,20% andlowering the NEP level to,3310−22W/Hz1/2, both measured at 1.26mm wavelength.
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Hubers, H. - W., Semenov, A., Richter, H., Schwarz, M., Gunther, B., Smirnov, K., et al. (2004). Heterodyne receiver for 3-5 THz with hot-electron bolometer mixer. In J. Zmuidzinas, W. S. Holland, & S. Withington (Eds.), Proc. SPIE (Vol. 5498, pp. 579–586). SPIE.
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.
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Maslennikov, S. N., Morozov, D. V., Ozhegov, R. V., Smirnov, K. V., Okunev, O. V., & Gol’tsman, G. N. (2004). Imaging system for submillimeter wave range based on AlGaAs/GaAs hot electron bolometer mixers. In Proc. 5-th MSMW (Vol. 2, pp. 558–560).
Abstract: Electromagnetic radiation of the submillimeter (SMM) range is dispersed and absorbed significantly less than infrared (IR) radiation when passing through different objects. That is the reason for the development of an SMM imaging system. In this paper, we discuss the design of an SMM heterodyne imager, based on a matrix of AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructure hot electron bolometer mixers (HEB) with relatively high (about 77 K) operating temperature. The predicted double side band (DSB) noise temperature is about 1000 K and optimal local oscillator (LO) power is about 1 /spl mu/W for such mixers, which seems to be quite prospective for an SMM heterodyne imager.
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Verevkin, A., Pearlman, A., Slysz, W., Zhang, J., Currie, M., Korneev, A., et al. (2004). Ultrafast superconducting single-photon detectors for near-infrared-wavelength quantum communications. J. Modern Opt., 51(9-10), 1447–1458.
Abstract: The paper reports progress on the design and development of niobium-nitride, superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs) for ultrafast counting of near-infrared photons for secure quantum communications. The SSPDs operate in the quantum detection mode, based on photon-induced hotspot formation and subsequent appearance of a transient resistive barrier across an ultrathin and submicron-width superconducting stripe. The devices are fabricated from 3.5 nm thick NbN films and kept at cryogenic (liquid helium) temperatures inside a cryostat. The detector experimental quantum efficiency in the photon-counting mode reaches above 20% in the visible radiation range and up to 10% at the 1.3–1.55 μn infrared range. The dark counts are below 0.01 per second. The measured real-time counting rate is above 2 GHz and is limited by readout electronics (the intrinsic response time is below 30 ps). The SSPD jitter is below 18 ps, and the best-measured value of the noise-equivalent power (NEP) is 2 × 10−18 W/Hz1/2. at 1.3 μm. In terms of photon-counting efficiency and speed, these NbN SSPDs significantly outperform semiconductor avalanche photodiodes and photomultipliers.
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Semenov, A. D., Hübers, H. - W., Richter, H., Smirnov, K., Gol'tsman, G. N., & Voronov, B. M. (2004). Superconducting hot-electron bolometer mixer for terahertz heterodyne receivers. In Proc. 15th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. (164).
Abstract: A number of on-going astronomical and atmospheric research programs are aimed to the Terahertz (THz) spectral region. At frequencies above about 1.4 THz heterodyne receivers planned for these missions will use superconducting hot-electron bolometers as a mixers. We present current results on the development of superconducting NbN hot- electron bolometer mixer and quasioptical radiation coupling scheme for GREAT (German Receiver for Astronomy at Terahertz Frequencies, to be used aboard of SOFIA) and TELIS (Terahertz Limb Sounder). The mixer is incorporated into hybrid antenna consisting of a planar feed antenna, which has either logarithmic spiral or double-slot configuration, and hyperhemispherical silicon lens. For the log-spiral feed antenna, the double side-band receiver noise temperature of 5500 K was achieved at 4.3 THz. The noise temperature shows less than 3 dB increase in the intermediate frequency band from 4 GHz to 7 GHz. The hybrid antenna had almost frequency independent and symmetric radiation pattern with the beam-width slightly broader than expected for a diffraction limited pattern. Results of FTS measurements in the direct detection regime agreed with the spectral dependence of the noise temperature for spiral antennas with different spacing of inner terminals.
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Ryabchun, S., Korneev, A., Matvienko, V., Smirnov, K., Kouminov, P., Seleznev, V., et al. (2004). Superconducting single photon detectors array based on hot electron phenomena. In Proc. 15th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. (pp. 242–247).
Abstract: In this paper we propose to use time domain multiplexing for large format arrays of superconducting single photon detectors (SSPDs) of the terahertz, visible and infrared frequency ranges based on ultrathin superconducting NbN films. Effective realization of time domain multiplexing for SSPD arrays is possible due to a short electric pulse of the SSPD as response to radiation quantum absorption, picosecond jitter and extremely low noise equivalent power (NEP). We present experimental results of testing 2×2 arrays in the infrared waveband. The measured noise equivalent power in the infrared and expected for the terahertz waveband is 10 – 21 WHz -1/2 . The best quantum efficiency (QE) of SSPD is 50% at 1.3 µm wavelength.
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Goltsman, G., Korneev, A., Izbenko, V., Smirnov, K., Kouminov, P., Voronov, B., et al. (2004). Nano-structured superconducting single-photon detectors. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 520(1-3), 527–529.
Abstract: NbN detectors, formed into meander-type, 10×10-μm2 area structures, based on ultrathin (down to 3.5-nm thickness) and nanometer-width (down to below 100 nm) NbN films are capable of efficiently detecting and counting single photons from the ultraviolet to near-infrared optical wavelength range. Our best devices exhibit QE >15% in the visible range and ∼10% in the 1.3–1.5-μm infrared telecommunication window. The noise equivalent power (NEP) ranges from ∼10−17 W/Hz1/2 at 1.5 μm radiation to ∼10−19 W/Hz1/2 at 0.56 μm, and the dark counts are over two orders of magnitude lower than in any semiconducting competitors. The intrinsic response time is estimated to be <30 ps. Such ultrafast detector response enables a very high, GHz-rate real-time counting of single photons. Already established applications of NbN photon counters are non-invasive testing and debugging of VLSI Si CMOS circuits and quantum communications.
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Richter, H., Semenov, A., Hubers, H. - W., Smirnov, K., Gol’tsman, G., & Voronov, B. (2004). Phonon cooled hot-electron bolometric mixer for 1-5 THz. In Proc. 29th IRMMW / 12th THz (pp. 241–242).
Abstract: Heterodyne receivers for applications in astronomy and planetary research need quantum limited sensitivity. In instruments which are currently built for SOFIA and Herschel, superconducting hot electron bolometers (HEB) are used to achieve this goal at frequencies above 1.4 THz. In order to optimize the performance for this frequency of 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/spl times/0.2 /spl mu/m/sup 2/ incorporated in a logarithmic spiral antenna. The DSB noise temperatures were 2700 K, 4700 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.
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Huebers, H. - W., Semenov, A., Richter, H., Birk, M., Krocka, M., Mair, U., et al. (2003). Superconducting hot electron bolometer as mixer for far-infrared heterodyne receivers. In T. G. Phillips, & J. Zmuidzinas (Eds.), Proc. SPIE (Vol. 4855, pp. 395–401). Presented at the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) Conference, 4855. Tucson, USA: SPIE.
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.
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Meledin, D., Tong, C. Y. - E., Blundell, R., Kaurova, N., Smirnov, K., Voronov, B., et al. (2003). Study of the IF bandwidth of NbN HEB mixers based on crystalline quartz substrate with an MgO buffer layer. IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., 13(2), 164–167.
Abstract: In this paper, we present the results of IF bandwidth measurements on 3-4 nm thick NbN hot electron bolometer waveguide mixers, which have been fabricated on a 200-nm thick MgO buffer layer deposited on a crystalline quartz substrate. The 3-dB IF bandwidth, measured at an LO frequency of 0.81 THz, is 3.7 GHz at the optimal bias point for low noise receiver operation. We have also made measurements of the IF dynamic impedance, which allow us to evaluate the intrinsic electron temperature relaxation time and self-heating parameters at different bias conditions.
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Semenov, A. D., Hübers, H. - W., Richter, H., Birk, M., Krocka, M., Mair, U., et al. (2003). Superconducting hot-electron bolometer mixer for terahertz heterodyne receivers. IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., 13(2), 168–171.
Abstract: We present recent results showing the development of superconducting NbN hot-electron bolometer mixer for German receiver for astronomy at terahertz frequencies and terahertz limb sounder. The mixer is incorporated into a planar feed antenna, which has either logarithmic spiral or double-slot configuration, and backed on a silicon lens. The hybrid antenna had almost frequency independent and symmetric radiation pattern slightly broader than expected for a diffraction limited antenna. At 2.5 THz the best 2200 K double side-band receiver noise temperature was achieved across a 1 GHz intermediate frequency bandwidth centred at 1.5 GHz. For this operation regime, a receiver conversion efficiency of -17 dB was directly measured and the loss budget was evaluated. The mixer response was linear at load temperatures smaller than 400 K. Implementation of the MgO buffer layer on Si resulted in an increased 5.2 GHz gain bandwidth. The receiver was tested in the laboratory environment by measuring a methanol emission line at 2.5 THz.
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Verevkin, A., Slysz, W., Pearlman, A., Zhang, J., Sobolewski, R., Okunev, O., et al. (2003). Real-time GHz-rate counting of infrared photons using nanostructured NbN superconducting detectors. In CLEO/QELS (CThM8). Optical Society of America.
Abstract: We demonstrate that our ultrathin, nanometer-width NbN superconducting single-photon detectors are capable of above 1-GHz-frequency, real-time counting of near-infrared photons. The measured system jitter of the detector is below 15 ps.
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Semenov, A. D., Hiibers, H. - W., Richter, H., Smirnov, K., Gol'tsman, G. N., Kaurova, N., et al. (2003). Superconducting hot-electron bolometer mixer for terahertz heterodyne receivers. In Proc. 14th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. (pp. 33–40).
Abstract: A number of on-going astronomical and atmospheric research programs are aimed to the Terahertz (THz) spectral region. At frequencies above about 1.4 THz heterodyne receivers planned for these missions will use superconducting hot-electron bolometers as a mixers. We present recent results of the terahertz antenna development of superconducting NbN hot-electron bolometer mixer for GREAT (German Receiver for Astronomy at Terahertz Frequencies, to be used aboard of SOFIA) and TELIS (Terahertz Limb Sounder). The mixer is incorporated into hybrid antenna consisting of a planar feed antenna, which has either logarithmic spiral or double-slot configuration, and hyper hemispherical silicon lens. The hybrid antenna showed almost frequency independent and symmetric radiation pattern with the beam-width slightly broader than expected for diffraction limited antenna. The noise temperature as well as its spectral dependence changes with the bolometer sizes that provides additional tool for mixer optimization. FTS spectra measured in the direct detection regime agreed with the noise temperature spectra.
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Smirnov, K. V., Vachtomin, Y. B., Antipov, S. V., Maslennikov, S. N., Kaurova, N. S., Drakinsky, V. N., et al. (2003). Noise and gain performance of spiral antenna coupled HEB mixers at 0.7 THz and 2.5 THz. In Proc. 14th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. (pp. 405–412).
Abstract: Noise and gain performance of hot electron bolometer (HEB) mixers based on ultrathin superconducting NbN films integrated with a spiral antenna was studied. The noise temperature measurements for two samples with different active area of 3 p.m x 0.24 .tni and 1.3 1..tm x 0.12 1.tm were performed at frequencies 0.7 THz and 2.5 THz. The best receiver noise temperatures 370 K and 1600 K, respectively, have been found at these frequencies. The influence of contact resistance between the superconductor and the antenna terminals on the noise temperature of HEB is discussed. The noise and gain bandwidth of 5GHz and 4.2 GHz, respectively, are demonstrated for similar HEB mixer at 0.75 THz.
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Semenov, A., Richter, H., Hübers, H. - W., Smirnov, K., Voronov, B., & Gol'tsman, G. (2003). Development of terahertz superconducting hot-electron bolometer mixers. In Proc. 6th European Conf. Appl. Supercond. (Vol. 181, pp. 2960–2965).
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.
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Korneev, A., Lipatov, A., Okunev, O., Chulkova, G., Smirnov, K., Gol’tsman, G., et al. (2003). GHz counting rate NbN single-photon detector for IR diagnostics of VLSI CMOS circuits. Microelectronic Engineering, 69(2-4), 274–278.
Abstract: We present a new, simple to manufacture superconducting single-photon detector operational in the range from ultraviolet to mid-infrared radiation wavelengths. The detector combines GHz counting rate, high quantum efficiency and very low level of dark (false) counts. At 1.3–1.5 μm wavelength range our detector exhibits a quantum efficiency of 5–10%. The detector photoresponse voltage pulse duration was measured to be about 150 ps with jitter of 35 ps and both of them were limited mostly by our measurement equipment. In terms of quantum efficiency, dark counts level, speed of operation the detector surpasses all semiconductor counterparts and was successfully applied for CMOS integrated circuits diagnostics.
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Zhang, J., Boiadjieva, N., Chulkova, G., Deslandes, H., Gol'tsman, G. N., Korneev, A., et al. (2003). Noninvasive CMOS circuit testing with NbN superconducting single-photon detectors. Electron. Lett., 39(14), 1086–1088.
Abstract: The 3.5 nm thick-film, meander-structured NbN superconducting single-photon detectors have been implemented in the CMOS circuit-testing system based on the detection of near-infrared photon emission from switching transistors and have significantly improved the performance of the system. Photon emissions from both p- and n-MOS transistors have been observed.
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Sobolewski, R., Zhang, J., Slysz, W., Pearlman, A., Verevkin, A., Lipatov, A., et al. (2003). Ultrafast superconducting single-photon optical detectors. In J. Spigulis, J. Teteris, M. Ozolinsh, & A. Lusis (Eds.), Proc. SPIE (Vol. 5123, pp. 1–11). SPIE.
Abstract: We present a new class of single-photon devices for counting of both visible and infrared photons. Our superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs) are characterized by the intrinsic quantum efficiency (QE) reaching up to 100%, above 10 GHz counting rate, and negligible dark counts. The detection mechanism is based on the photon-induced hotspot formation and subsequent appearance of a transient resistive barrier across an ultrathin and submicron-wide superconducting stripe. The devices are fabricated from 3.5-nm-thick NbN films and operate at 4.2 K, well below the NbN superconducting transition temperature. Various continuous and pulsed laser sources in the wavelength range from 0.4 μm up to >3 μm were implemented in our experiments, enabling us to determine the detector QE in the photon-counting mode, response time, and jitter. For our best 3.5-nm-thick, 10×10 μm2-area devices, QE was found to reach almost 100% for any wavelength shorter than about 800 nm. For longer-wavelength (infrared) radiation, QE decreased exponentially with the photon wavelength increase. Time-resolved measurements of our SSPDs showed that the system-limited detector response pulse width was below 150 ps. The system jitter was measured to be 35 ps. In terms of the counting rate, jitter, and dark counts, the NbN SSPDs significantly outperform their semiconductor counterparts. Already identifeid and implemented applications of our devices range from noninvasive testing of semiconductor VLSI circuits to free-space quantum communications and quantum cryptography.
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Verevkin, A. A., Pearlman, A., Slysz, W., Zhang, J., Sobolewski, R., Chulkova, G., et al. (2003). Ultrafast superconducting single-photon detectors for infrared wavelength quantum communications. In E. Donkor, A. R. Pirich, & H. E. Brandt (Eds.), Proc. SPIE (Vol. 5105, pp. 160–170). SPIE.
Abstract: We have developed a new class of superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs) for ultrafast counting of infrared (IR) photons for secure quantum communications. The devices are operated on the quantum detection mechanism, based on the photon-induced hotspot formation and subsequent appearance of a transient resistive barrier across an ultrathin and submicron-wide superconducting stripe. The detectors are fabricated from 3.5-nm-thick NbN films and they operate at 4.2 K inside a closed-cycle refrigerator or liquid helium cryostat. Various continuous and pulsed laser sources have been used in our experiments, enabling us to determine the detector experimental quantum efficiency (QE) in the photon-counting mode, response time, time jitter, and dark counts. Our 3.5-nm-thick SSPDs reached QE above 15% for visible light photons and 5% at 1.3 – 1.5 μm infrared range. The measured real-time counting rate was above 2 GHz and was limited by the read-out electronics (intrinsic response time is <30 ps). The measured jitter was <18 ps, and the dark counting rate was <0.01 per second. The measured noise equivalent power (NEP) is 2 x 10-18 W/Hz1/2 at λ = 1.3 μm. In near-infrared range, in terms of the counting rate, jitter, dark counts, and overall sensitivity, the NbN SSPDs significantly outperform their semiconductor counterparts. An ultrafast quantum cryptography communication technology based on SSPDs is proposed and discussed.
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Gol’tsman, G. N., Smirnov, K., Kouminov, P., Voronov, B., Kaurova, N., Drakinsky, V., et al. (2003). Fabrication of nanostructured superconducting single-photon detectors. IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., 13(2), 192–195.
Abstract: Fabrication of NbN superconducting single-photon detectors, based on the hotspot effect is presented. The hotspot formation arises in an ultrathin and submicrometer-width superconductor stripe and, together with the supercurrent redistribution, leads to the resistive detector response upon absorption of a photon. The detector has a meander structure to maximally increase its active area and reach the highest detection efficiency. Main processing steps, leading to efficient devices, sensitive in 0.4-5 /spl mu/m wavelength range, are presented. The impact of various processing steps on the performance and operational parameters of our detectors is discussed.
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Zhang, J., Pearlman, A., Slysz, W., Verevkin, A., Sobolewski, R., Okunev, O., et al. (2003). Infrared picosecond superconducting single-photon detectors for CMOS circuit testing. In CLEO/QELS (Cmv4). Optical Society of America.
Abstract: Novel, NbN superconducting single-photon detectors have been developed for ultrafast, high quantum efficiency detection of single quanta of infrared radiation. Our devices have been successfully implemented in a commercial VLSI CMOS circuit testing system.
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Vakhtomin, Y. B., Finkel, M. I., Antipov, S. V., Smirnov, K. V., Kaurova, N. S., Drakinskii, V. N., et al. (2003). 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. J. of communications technol. & electronics, 48(6), 671–675.
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.
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Sobolewski, R., Xu, Y., Zheng, X., Williams, C., Zhang, J., Verevkin, A., et al. (2002). Spectral sensitivity of the NbN single-photon superconducting detector. IEICE Trans. Electron., E85-C(3), 797–802.
Abstract: We report our studies on the spectral sensitivity of superconducting NbN thin-film single-photon detectors (SPD's) capable of GHz counting rates of visible and near-infrared photons. In particular, it has been shown that a NbN SPD is sensitive to 1.55-µm wavelength radiation and can be used for quantum communication. Our SPD's exhibit experimentally measured intrinsic quantum efficiencies from 20% at 800 nm up to 1% at 1.55-µm wavelength. The devices demonstrate picosecond response time (<100 ps, limited by our readout system) and negligibly low dark counts. Spectral dependencies of photon counting of continuous-wave, 0.4-µm to 3.5-µm radiation, and 0.63-µm, 1.33-µm, and 1.55-µm laser-pulsed radiations are presented for the single-stripe-type and meander-type devices.
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Maslennikov, S., Antipov, S., Shishkov, A., Svechnikov, S., Voronov, B., Smirnov, K., et al. (2002). NbN HEB mixer noise temperature measurements with hot/cold load mounted inside the helium cryostat at 300 GHz. In Proc. Int. Student Seminar on Microwave Appl. of Novel Physical Phenomena supported by IEEE. St.-Petersburg: LETI.
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Vahtomin, Y. B., Finkel, M. I., Antipov, S. V., Voronov, B. M., Smirnov, K. V., Kaurova, N. S., et al. (2002). Gain bandwidth of phonon-cooled HEB mixer made of NbN thin film with MgO buffer layer on Si. In Harvard university (Ed.), Proc. 13th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. (pp. 259–270). Cambridge, MA, USA.
Abstract: We present recently obtained values for gain bandwidth of NbN HEB mixers for different substrates and film thicknesses and for MgO buffer layer on Si at LO frequency of 0.85-1 THz. The maximal bandwidth, 5.2 GHz, was achieved for the device on MgO buffer layer on Si with a 2 nm thick NbN film. Functional devices based on NbN films of such thickness were fabricated for the first time due to an improvement of superconducting properties of NbN film deposited on MgO buffer layer on Si substrate.
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Meledin, D., Tong, C. Y. - E., Blundell, R., Kaurova, N., Smirnov, K., Voronov, B., et al. (2002). The sensitivity and IF bandwidth of waveguide NbN hot electron bolometer mixers on MgO buffer layers over crystalline quartz. In Harvard university (Ed.), Proc. 13th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. (pp. 65–72). Cambridge, MA, USA.
Abstract: We have developed and characterized waveguide phonon-cooled NbN Hot Electron Bolometer (FMB) mixers fabricated from a 3-4 nm thick NbN film deposited on a 200nm thick MgO buffer layer over crystalline quartz. Double side band receiver noise temperatures of 900-1050 K at 1.035 THz, and 1300-1400 K at 1.26 THz have been measured at an intermediate frequency of 1.5 GHz. The intermediate frequency bandwidth, measured at 0.8 THz LO frequency, is 3.2 GHz at the optimal bias point for low noise receiver operation.
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Verevkin, A., Zhang, J., Sobolewski, R., Lipatov, A., Okunev, O., Chulkova, G., et al. (2002). Detection efficiency of large-active-area NbN single-photon superconducting detectors in the ultraviolet to near-infrared range. Appl. Phys. Lett., 80(25), 4687–4689.
Abstract: We report our studies on spectral sensitivity of meander-type, superconducting NbN thin-film single-photon detectors (SPDs), characterized by GHz counting rates of visible and near-infrared photons and negligible dark counts. Our SPDs exhibit experimentally determined quantum efficiencies ranging from ∼0.2% at the 1.55 μm wavelength to ∼70% at 0.4 μm. Spectral dependences of the detection efficiency (DE) at the 0.4 to 3.0-μm-wavelength range are presented. The exponential character of the DE dependence on wavelength, as well as its dependence versus bias current, is qualitatively explained in terms of superconducting fluctuations in our ultrathin, submicron-width superconducting stripes. The DE values of large-active-area NbN SPDs in the visible range are high enough for modern quantum communications.
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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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Semenov, A. D., Hübers, H. - W., Gol’tsman, G. N., & Smirnov, K. (2002). Superconducting quantum detector for astronomy and X-ray spectroscopy. In J. Pekola, B. Ruggiero, & P. Silvestrini (Eds.), Proc. Int. Workshop on Supercond. Nano-Electronics Devices (pp. 201–210). Boston, MA: Springer.
Abstract: We propose the novel concept of ultra-sensitive energy-dispersive superconducting quantum detectors prospective for applications in astronomy and X-ray spectroscopy. Depending on the superconducting material and operation conditions, such detector may allow realizing background limited noise equivalent power 10−21 W Hz−1/2 in the terahertz range when exposed to 4-K background radiation or counting of 6-keV photon with almost 10—4 energy resolution. Planar layout and relatively simple technology favor integration of elementary detectors into a detector array.
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Semenov, A. D., Hübers, H. - W., Richter, H., Birk, M., Krocka, M., Mair, U., et al. (2002). 2.5 THz heterodyne receiver with NbN hot-electron-bolometer mixer. Phys. C: Supercond., 372-376, 448–453.
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.
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Semenov, A., Hübers, H. - W., Richter, H., Birk, M., Krocka, M., Mair, U., et al. (2002). Performance of terahertz heterodyne receiver with a superconducting hot-electron mixer. In Proc. 13th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. (pp. 229–234).
Abstract: During the past decade major advances have been made regarding low noise mixers for terahertz heterodyne receivers. State of the art hot-electron-bolometer (HEB) mixers have noise temperatures close to the quantum limit and require less than a microwatt power from the local oscillator (L0). The technology is now at a point where the performance of a practical receiver employing such mixer, rather than the figures of merit of the mixer itself, is of major concern. We have incorporated a phonon-cooled NbN HEB mixer in a 2.5 THz heterodyne receiver and investigated its performance. This yields important information for future development of heterodyne receivers such as GREAT (German receiver for astronomy at THz frequencies aboard SOFIA) [1] and TELIS (Terahertz limb sounder), a balloon borne heterodyne receiver for atmospheric research [2]. Both are currently under development at DLR.
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Okunev, O., Smirnov, K., Chulkova, G., Korneev, A., Lipatov, A., Gol'tsman, G., et al. (2002). Ultrafast NBN hot-electron single-photon detectors for electronic applications. In Abstracts 8-th IUMRS-ICEM.
Abstract: We present a new, simple to manufacture, single-photon detector (SPD), which can work from ultraviolet to near-infrared wavelengths of optical radiation and combines high speed of operation, high quantum efficiency (QE), and very low dark counts. The devices are superconducting and operate at temperature below 5 K. The physics of operation of our SPD is based on formation of a photon-induced resistive hotspot and subsequent appearance of a transient resistive barrier across an ultrathin and submicron-wide superconductor.
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Lipatov, A., Okunev, O., Smirnov, K., Chulkova, G., Korneev, A., Kouminov, P., et al. (2002). An ultrafast NbN hot-electron single-photon detector for electronic applications. Supercond. Sci. Technol., 15(12), 1689–1692.
Abstract: We present the latest generation of our superconducting single-photon detector (SPD), which can work from ultraviolet to mid-infrared optical radiation wavelengths. The detector combines a high speed of operation and low jitter with high quantum efficiency (QE) and very low dark count level. The technology enhancement allows us to produce ultrathin (3.5 nm thick) structures that demonstrate QE hundreds of times better, at 1.55 μm, than previous 10 nm thick SPDs. The best, 10 × 10 μm2, SPDs demonstrate QE up to 5% at 1.55 μm and up to 11% at 0.86 μm. The intrinsic detector QE, normalized to the film absorption coefficient, reaches 100% at bias currents above 0.9 Ic for photons with wavelengths shorter than 1.3 μm.
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Verevkin, A., Gershenzon, E. M., Gol'tsman, G. N., Ptitsina, N. G., Chulkova, G. M., Smirnov, K. S., et al. (2002). Direct measurements of energy relaxation times in two-dimensional structures under quasi-equilibrium conditions. In Mater. Sci. Forum (Vol. 384-3, pp. 107–116).
Abstract: A new microwave technique was successfully applied for direct studies of energy relaxation times in two-dimensional AlGaAs/GaAs structures under quasi-equilibrium conditions in the nanosecond and picosecond time scale. We report our results of energy relaxation time measurements in the temperature range 1.6-50 K, in quantum Hall effect regime in magnetic fields up to 4 T.
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Hübers, H. - W., Semenov, A., Richter, H., Birk, M., Krocka, M., Mair, U., et al. (2002). Terahertz Heterodyn Receiver with a hot-electron bolometer mixer. In U. Wolf, J. Farhoomand, & C. R. McCreight (Eds.), Far-IR, Sub-mm & MM Detector Technology Workshop (pp. 3–24). NASA CP. NASA.
Abstract: During the past decade major advances have been made regarding low noise mixers for terahertz (THz) heterodyne receivers. State of the art hot-electron-bolometer (HEB) mixers have noise temperatures close to the quantum limit and require less than a µW power from the local oscillator (LO). The technology is now at a point where the performance of a practical receiver employing such mixer, rather than the figures of merit of the mixer itself, are of major concern. We have incorporated a phonon-cooled NbN HEB mixer in a 2.5 THz heterodyne receiver and investigated the performance of the receiver. This yields important information for the development of heterodyne receivers such as GREAT (German receiver for astronomy at THz frequencies aboard SOFIA) [1] and TELIS (Terahertz limb sounder), a balloon borne heterodyne receiver for atmospheric research [2]. Both are currently under development at DLR.
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Hübers, H. - W., Semenov, A., Richter, H., Birk, M., Krocka, M., Mair, U., et al. (2002). Terahertz heterodyne receiver with a hot-electron bolometer mixer. In J. Wold, & J. Davidson (Eds.), Proc. Far-IR, Sub-mm, and mm Detector Technology Workshop.
Abstract: During the past decade major advances have been made regarding low noise mixers for terahertz (THz) heterodyne receivers. State of the art hot-electron-bolometer (HEB) mixers have noise temperatures close to the quantum limit and require less than a µW power from the local oscillator (LO). The technology is now at a point where the performance of a practical receiver employing such mixer, rather than the figures of merit of the mixer itself, are of major concern. We have incorporated a phonon-cooled NbN HEB mixer in a 2.5 THz heterodyne receiver and investigated the performance of the receiver. This yields important information for the development of heterodyne receivers such as GREAT (German receiver for astronomy at THz frequencies aboard SOFIA)[1] and TELIS (Terahertz limb sounder), a balloon borne heterodyne receiver for atmospheric research [2]. Both are currently under development at DLR.
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Cherednichenko, S., Kroug, M., Merkel, H., Kollberg, E., Loudkov, D., Smirnov, K., et al. (2001). Local oscillator power requirement and saturation effects in NbN HEB mixers. In C. Iit.u.t.e of T. Jet Propulsion Laboratory (Ed.), Proc. 12th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. (pp. 273–285). San Diego, CA, USA.
Abstract: The local oscillator power required for NbN hot-electron bolometric mixers (P LO ) was investigated with respect to mixer size, critical temperature and ambient temperature. P LO can be decreased by a factor of 10 as the mixer size decreases from 4×0.4 µm 2 to 0.6×0.13 µm 2 . For the smallest volume mixer the optimal local oscillator power was found to be 15 nW. We found that for such mixer no signal compression was observed up to an input signal of 2 nW which corresponds to an equivalent input load of 20,000 K. For a constant mixer volume, reduction of T c can decrease optimal local oscillator power at least by a factor of 2 without a deterioration of the receiver noise temperature. Bath temperature was found to have minor effect on the receiver characteristics.
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Gol’tsman, G., Okunev, O., Chulkova, G., Lipatov, A., Dzardanov, A., Smirnov, K., et al. (2001). Fabrication and properties of an ultrafast NbN hot-electron single-photon detector. IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., 11(1), 574–577.
Abstract: A new type of ultra-high-speed single-photon counter for visible and near-infrared wavebands based on an ultrathin NbN hot-electron photodetector (HEP) has been developed. The detector consists of a very narrow superconducting stripe, biased close to its critical current. An incoming photon absorbed by the stripe produces a resistive hotspot and causes an increase in the film’s supercurrent density above the critical value, leading to temporary formation of a resistive barrier across the device and an easily measurable voltage pulse. Our NbN HEP is an ultrafast (estimated response time is 30 ps; registered time, due to apparatus limitations, is 150 ps), frequency unselective device with very large intrinsic gain and negligible dark counts. We have observed sequences of output pulses, interpreted as single-photon events for very weak laser beams with wavelengths ranging from 0.5 /spl mu/m to 2.1 /spl mu/m and the signal-to-noise ratio of about 30 dB.
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Verevkin, A., Xu, Y., Zheng, X., Williams, C., Sobolewski, R., Okunev, O., et al. (2001). Superconducting NbN-based ultrafast hot-electron single-photon detector for infrared range. In Proc. 12th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. (pp. 462–468).
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Gol'tsman, G., Semenov, A., Smirnov, K., & Voronov, B. (2001). Background limited quantum superconducting detector for submillimeter wavelengths. In Proc. 12th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol. (pp. 469–475).
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Gol’tsman, G. N., & Smirnov, K. V. (2001). Electron-phonon interaction in a two-dimensional electron gas of semiconductor heterostructures at low temperatures. Jetp Lett., 74(9), 474–479.
Abstract: Theoretical and experimental works devoted to studying electron-phonon interaction in the two-dimensional electron gas of semiconductor heterostructures at low temperatures in the case of strong heating in an electric field under quasi-equilibrium conditions and in a quantizing magnetic field perpendicular to the 2D layer are considered.
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Gol’tsman, G. N., Okunev, O., Chulkova, G., Lipatov, A., Semenov, A., Smirnov, K., et al. (2001). Picosecond superconducting single-photon optical detector. Appl. Phys. Lett., 79(6), 705–707.
Abstract: We experimentally demonstrate a supercurrent-assisted, hotspot-formation mechanism for ultrafast detection and counting of visible and infrared photons. A photon-induced hotspot leads to a temporary formation of a resistive barrier across the superconducting sensor strip and results in an easily measurable voltage pulse. Subsequent hotspot healing in ∼30 ps time frame, restores the superconductivity (zero-voltage state), and the detector is ready to register another photon. Our device consists of an ultrathin, very narrow NbN strip, maintained at 4.2 K and current-biased close to the critical current. It exhibits an experimentally measured quantum efficiency of ∼20% for 0.81 μm wavelength photons and negligible dark counts.
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Xu, Y., Zheng, X., Williams, C., Verevkin, A., Sobolewski, R., Chulkova, G., et al. (2001). Ultrafast superconducting hot-electron single-photon detector. In CLEO (345).
Abstract: Summary form only given. The current most-pressing need is to develop a practical, GHz-range counting single-photon detector, operational at either 1.3-/spl mu/m or 1.55-/spl mu/m radiation wavelength, for novel quantum communication and quantum cryptography systems. The presented solution of the problem is to use an ultrafast hot-electron photodetector, based on superconducting thin-film microstructures. This type of device is very promising, due to the macroscopic quantum nature of superconductors. Very fast response time and the small, (meV range) value of the superconducting energy gap characterize the superconductor, leading to the efficient avalanche process even for infrared photons.
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Antipov, S. V., Svechnikov, S. I., Smirnov, K. V., Vakhtomin, Y. B., Finkel, M. I., Goltsman, G. N., et al. (2001). Noise temperature of quasioptical NbN hot electron bolometer mixers at 900 GHz. Physics of Vibrations, 9(4), 242–245.
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Smirnov, K. V., Ptitsina, N. G., Vakhtomin, Y. B., Verevkin, A. A., Gol’tsman, G. N., & Gershenzon, E. M. (2000). Energy relaxation of two-dimensional electrons in the quantum Hall effect regime. JETP Lett., 71(1), 31–34.
Abstract: The mm-wave spectroscopy with high temporal resolution is used to measure the energy relaxation times τe of 2D electrons in GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructures in magnetic fields B=0–4 T under quasi-equilibrium conditions at T=4.2 K. With increasing B, a considerable increase in τe from 0.9 to 25 ns is observed. For high B and low values of the filling factor ν, the energy relaxation rate τ −1e oscillates. The depth of these oscillations and the positions of maxima depend on the filling factor ν. For ν>5, the relaxation rate τ −1e is maximum when the Fermi level lies in the region of the localized states between the Landau levels. For lower values of ν, the relaxation rate is maximum at half-integer values of τ −1e when the Fermi level is coincident with the Landau level. The characteristic features of the dependence τ −1e (B) are explained by different contributions of the intralevel and interlevel electron-phonon transitions to the process of the energy relaxation of 2D electrons.
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Verevkin, A. A., Ptitsina, N. G., Smirnov, K. V., Voronov, B. M., Gol’tsman, G. N., Gershenson, E. M., et al. (1999). Multiple Andreev reflection in hybrid AlGaAs/GaAs structures with superconducting NbN contacts. Semicond., 33(5), 551–554.
Abstract: The conductivity of hybrid microstructures with superconducting contacts made of niobium nitride to a semiconductor with a two-dimensional electron gas in a AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructure has been investigated. Distinctive features of the behavior of the conductivity indicate the presence of multiple Andreev reflection at scattering centers in the normal region near the superconductor-semiconductor boundary.
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Verevkin, A. A., Ptitsina, N. G., Smirnov, K. V., Goltsman, G. N., Gershenson, E. M., & Yngvesson, K. S. (1997). Direct measurements of electron energy relaxation times at an AlGaAs/GaAs heterointerface in the optical phonon scattering range. In Proc. 4-th Int. Semicond. Device Research Symp. (pp. 55–58).
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Verevkin, A. A., Ptitsina, N. G., Smirnov, K. V., Gol'tsman, G. N., Voronov, B. M., Gershenzon, E. M., et al. (1997). Hot electron bolometer detectors and mixers based on a superconducting-two-dimensional electron gas-superconductor structure. In Proc. 4-th Int. Semicond. Device Research Symp. (pp. 163–166).
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Verevkin, A. A., Ptitsina, N. G., Smirnov, K. V., Gol’tsman, G. N., Gershenzon, E. M., & Ingvesson, K. S. (1996). Direct measurements of energy relaxation times on an AlGaAs/GaAs heterointerface in the range 4.2–50 K. JETP Lett., 64(5), 404–409.
Abstract: The temperature dependence of the energy relaxation time τe (T) of a two-dimensional electron gas at an AlGaAs/GaAs heterointerface is measured under quasiequilibrium conditions in the region of the transition from scattering by acoustic phonons to scattering with the participation of optical phonons. The temperature interval of constant τe, where scattering by the deformation potential predominates, is determined. In the preceding, low-temperature region, where piezoacoustic and deformation-potential-induced scattering processes coexist, τ e decreases slowly with increasing temperature. Optical phonons start to participate in the scattering processes at T∼25 K (the characteristic phonon lifetime was equal to τLOτ4.5 ps). The energy losses calculated from the τe data in a model with an effective nonequilibrium electron temperature agree with the published data obtained under strong heating conditions.
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