Ozhegov RV, Gorshkov KN, Smirnov KV, Gol’tsman GN, Filippenko LV, Koshelets VP. Terahertz imaging system based on superconducting integrated receiver. In: Proc. 2-nd Int. Conf. Terahertz and Microwave radiation: Generation, Detection and Applications.; 2010. p. 20–2.
Abstract: The development of terahertz imaging instruments for security systems is on the cutting edge of terahertz technology. We are developing a THz imaging system based on a superconducting integrated receiver (SIR). An SIR is a new type of heterodyne receiver based on an SIS mixer integrated with a flux-flow oscillator (FFO) and a harmonic mixer which is used for phase-locking the FFO. Developing an array of SIRs would allow obtaining amplitude and phase characteristics of incident radiation in the plane of the receiver. Employing an SIR in an imaging system means building an entirely new instrument with many advantages compare to traditional systems: i) high temperature resolution, comparable to the best results for incoherent receivers; ii) high spectral resolution allowing spectral analysis of various substances; iii) the local oscillator frequency can be varied to obtain images at different frequencies, effectively providing “color” images; iv) since a heterodyne receiver preserves the phase of the radiation, it is possible to construct 3D images. The paper presents a prototype THz imaging system using an 1 pixel SIR. We have studied the dependence of the noise equivalent temperature difference (NETD) on the integration time and also possible ways of achieving best possible sensitivity. An NETD of 13 mK was obtained with an integration time of 1 sec a detection bandwidth of 4 GHz at a local oscillator frequency of 520 GHz. An important advantage of an FFO is its wide operation range: 300-700 GHz.
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Жорес Алферов. Лекции на телеканале Культура. Полупроводниковая революция. Наука и общество.; 2010.
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Karasik BS, Cantor R. Optical NEP in hot-electron nanobolometers. [Internet]. 2010 [cited 2024 Jul 8]:1–7;arXiv:1009.4676v1
Abstract: For the first time, we have measured the optical noise equivalent power (NEP) in titanium (Ti) superconducting hot-electron nanobolometers (nano-HEBs). The bolometers were 2{\mu}mx1{\mu}mx20nm and 1{\mu}mx1{\mu}mx20nm planar antenna-coupled devices. The measurements were done at {\lambda} = 460 {\mu}m using a cryogenic black body radiation source delivering optical power from a fraction of a femtowatt to a few 100s of femtowatts. A record low NEP = 3x10^{-19} W/Hz^{1/2} at 50 mK has been achieved. This sensitivity meets the requirements for SAFARI instrument on the SPICA telescope. The ways for further improvement of the nano-HEB detector sensitivity are discussed.
Keywords: HEB, Ti, NEP, femtowatt, SAFARI, SPICA, 650 GHz, 0.65 THz, 460 um, twin slot antenna, SQUID readout
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Maslennikova A, Tretyakov I, Ryabchun S, Finkel M, Kaurova N, Voronov B, et al. Gain bandwidth and noise temperature of NbN HEB mixers with simultaneous phonon and diffusion cooling [abstract]. In: Proc. 21th Int. Symp. Space Terahertz Technol.; 2010. p. 218–9.
Abstract: The space observatory Millimetron will be operating in the millimeter, sub-millimeter and infrared ranges using a 12-m cryogenic telescope in a single-dish mode, and as an interferometer with the space-earth and space-space baselines (the latter after the launch of the second identical space telescope). The observatory will allow performing astronomical observations with an unprecedented sensitivity (down to nJy level) in the single-dish mode, and observations with a high angular resolution in the interferometer mode. The total spectral range 20 μm – 2 cm is separated into 10 bands. HEB mixers with two cooling channels (diffusion and phonon) have been chosen to be the detectors of choice of the system covering the range from 1 THz to 6 THz as the best detectors in terahertz receivers. This type of HEB has already shown good work in the terahertz range. A gain bandwidth of 6 GHz at an LO frequency of 300 GHz and a noise temperature of 750 K at an LO frequency of 2.5 THz are the best values for HEB mixers with two cooling channels [1]. Theoretical estimations predict a bandwidth up to 12 GHz. Reaching such good result demands more systematic and thorough research. We present the results of the gain bandwidth and noise temperature measurements for superconducting hot- electron bolometer mixers with two cooling channels. These characteristics of the devices of lengths varying from 50 to 200 nm were measured for the purposes of Millimetron at frequencies of 600 GHz, 2.5 THz, and 3.8 THz. For gain bandwidth measurements we use two BWO’s operating at 600 GHz: one as the signal and the second as the LO. The noise temperature measurements were performed using a gas discharge laser as the LO and blackbodies at 77 K and 295 K as input signals. The devices studied consist of 3.5-nm-thick NbN bridges connected to thick (10 nm) high conductivity Au leads fabricated in situ. This method of fabricating devices has already proved promising by opening the diffusion cooling channel. [2] Fig. 1 shows a SEM photograph of a log-spiral antenna with an HEB at its apex. Fig. 1. Left: a SEM photograph of a log-spiral antenna with an HEB at its apex; right: a close-up of the HEB at the antenna apex. [1] S. A. Ryabchun, I. V. Tretyakov, M. I. Finkel, S. N. Maslennikov, N. S. Kaurova, V. A. Seleznev, B. M. Voronov, and G. N. Gol’tsman, NbN phonon-cooled hot-electron bolometer mixer with additional diffusion cooling, Proc. of the 20 th Int. Symp. Space. Technol., Charlottesville, Virginia, USA, April 20 – 22, 2009. 218[2] S. A. Ryabchun * , I. V. Tretyakov, M. I. Finkel, S. N. Maslennikov, N. S. Kaurova, V. A. Seleznev, B. M. Voronov and G. N. Goltsman, Fabrication and characterisation of NbN HEB mixers with in situ gold contacts, Proc. of the 19 th Int. Symp. Space. Technol., Groningen, The Netherlands, April 28-30, 2008
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Lobanov YV, Tong C-YE, Hedden AS, Blundell R, Gol'tsman GN. Microwave-assisted슠measurement슠of the슠frequency슠response슠of슠terahertz슠HEB슠mixers슠with a슠fourier슠transform슠spectrometer. In: 21st International Symposium on Space Terahertz Technology.; 2010. p. 420–3.
Abstract: We describe a novel method of operation of the HEB direct detector for use with a Fourier Transform Spectrometer. Instead of elevating the bath temperature, we have measured the RF response of waveguide HEB mixers by applying microwave radiation to select appropriate bias conditions. In our experiment, a microwave signal is injected into the HEB mixer via its IF port. By choosing an appropriate injection level, the device can be operated close to the desired operating point. Furthermore, we have shown that both thermal biasing and microwave injection can reproduce the same spectral response of the HEB mixer. However, with the use of microwave injection, there is no need to wait for the mixer to reach thermal equilibrium, so characterisation can be done in less time. Also, the liquid helium consumption for our wet cryostat is also reduced. We have demonstrated that the signalto-noise ratio of the FTS measurements can be improved with microwave injection.
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