Yngvesson KS, Gerecht E, Musante CF, Zhuang Y, Ji M, Goyette TM, et al. Low-noise HEB heterodyne receivers and focal plane arrays for the THz regime using NbN. In: Hwu RJ, Wu K, editors. Proc. SPIE. Vol 3795. SPIE; 1999. p. 357–68.
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.
|
Klapwijk TM, Barends R, Gao JR, Hajenius M, Baselmans JJA. Improved superconducting hot-electron bolometer devices for the THz range. In: Proc. SPIE. Vol 5498.; 2004. p. 129–39.
Abstract: Improved and reproducible heterodyne mixing (noise temperatures of 950 K at 2.5 THz) has been realized with NbN based hot-electron superconducting devices with low contact resistances. A distributed temperature numerical model of the NbN bridge, based on a local electron and a phonon temperature, has been used to understand the physical conditions during the mixing process. We find that the mixing is predominantly due to the exponential rise of the local resistivity as a function of electron temperature.
|
Gershenzon EM, Gol'tsman GN. Hot-electron superconducting mixers. In: Birch JR, Parker TJ, editors. Proc. SPIE. Vol 2104. SPIE; 1993. p. 329–30.
Abstract: The creation of low noise heterodyne receivers for frequencies above 1 THz is in the urgentneed for radio astronomy, laser spectroscopy, plasma diagnostic, etc. In this paper we discussthe nonlinear effect related to hot electrons in superconductors, and their potential use in lownoise submilimeter wave mixer. We also discuss results achieved so far as well as possible futuredevelopments.
|
Moshkova MA, Morozov PV, Antipov AV, Vakhtomin YB, Smirnov KV. High-efficiency multi-element superconducting single-photon detector. In: Prochazka I, Štefaňák M, Sobolewski R, Gábris A, editors. Proc. SPIE. Vol 11771. SPIE; 2021. p. 2–8.
Abstract: We present the result of the creation and investigation of the multi-element superconducting single photon detectors, which can recognize the number of photons (up to six) in a short pulse of the radiation at telecommunication wavelengths range. The best receivers coupled with single-mode fiber have the system quantum efficiency of ⁓85%. The receivers have a 100 ps time resolution and a few nanoseconds dead time that allows them to operate at megahertz counting rate. Implementation of the multi-element architecture for creation of the superconducting single photon detectors with increased sensitive area allows to create the high efficiency receivers coupled with multi-mode fibers and with preserving of the all advantages of superconducting photon counters.
|
Gol’tsman GN, Gershenzon EM. High speed hot-electron superconducting bolometer. In: Birch JR, Parker TJ, editors. Proc. SPIE. Vol 2104. SPIE; 1993. p. 181–2.
Abstract: Physical limitation of response time of a superconducting bolometer as well as the nature of non-equilibrium detection of radiation have been investigated for Al, Nb and NbN thin films in spectral range from submillimeter to near-infraredwavelengths [1,2]. In the case of ideal heat removal from the film with the f_‘. 100A thickness the detection mechanism is an electron heating effect that is not selective to radiation wavelength in a very broad range. The response time ofan electron heating bolometer is determined by an electron-phonon interaction time. This time is of about 10 ns, 0.5 ns and 20 ps for Al, Nb, and NbN correspondingly near the critical temperature of the superconducting film. Thesensitive area of the bolometer consists of a number of narrow strips (with awidth of 1µm) connected in parallel to contact pads; these pads together witha sapphire substrate and a ground plate represent the microstrip transmissionline with an impedance of 50 Q.
|
