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Author Korneev, A.; Kouminov, P.; Matvienko, V.; Chulkova, G.; Smirnov, K.; Voronov, B.; Gol'tsman, G. N.; Currie, M.; Lo, W.; Wilsher, K.; Zhang, J.; Słysz, W.; Pearlman, A.; Verevkin, A.; Sobolewski, Roman
Title Sensitivity and gigahertz counting performance of NbN superconducting single-photon detectors Type Journal Article
Year 2004 Publication Appl. Phys. Lett. Abbreviated Journal Appl. Phys. Lett.
Volume 84 Issue 26 Pages 5338-5340
Keywords SSPD, NEP, QE
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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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 (up) Serial 532
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Author Siddiqi, I.; Prober, D. E.
Title Nb–Au bilayer hot-electron bolometers for low-noise THz heterodyne detection Type Journal Article
Year 2004 Publication Applied Physics Letters Abbreviated Journal Appl. Phys. Lett.
Volume 84 Issue 8 Pages 1404
Keywords HEB, mixers, dynamic range, saturation, LO power, local oscillator power, Nb
Abstract The sensitivity of present Nb diffusion-cooled hot-electron bolometer (HEB) mixers is not quantum limited, and can be improved by reducing the superconducting transition temperature TC. Lowering TC reduces thermal fluctuations, resulting in a decrease of the mixer noise temperature TM. However, lower TC mixers have reduced dynamic range and saturate more easily due to background noise. We present 30 GHz microwave measurements on a bilayer HEB system, Nb–Au, in which TC can be tuned with Au layer thickness to obtain the maximum sensitivity for a given noise background. These measurements are intended as a guide for the optimization of THz mixers. Using a Nb–Au mixer with TC = 1.6 K, we obtain TM = 50 K with 2 nW of local oscillator (LO) power. Good mixer performance is observed over a wide range of LO power and bias voltage and such a device should not exhibit saturation in a THz receiver.
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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 (up) Serial 571
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Author van't Klooster, K.; Myasnikova, S. E.; Parshin, V. V.; Kasparek, W.
Title Results of reflection loss measurements of sample material for radio astronomy telescope antenna for Planck Project Type Conference Article
Year 2004 Publication Proc. 14th international crimean conference on microwave and telecommunication technology Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 753-755
Keywords mirror, reflection index, emissivity, Fabry-Perot interferometer, space observatory, terahertz, THz
Abstract Advanced radio telescope antennas for space applications are realised by the use of stable composite materials, which are lighter in general than various metal realisations. Reflectivity measurements have been carried out on high technology samples for the Planck radio telescope. Highly accurate results have been obtained at the Applied Physics Institute in Nizhny Novgorod, and an independent measurement with a totally different setup at the University of Stuttgart confirmed that one of the samples showed a strange behaviour. Moreover, it confirmed the high accuracy of the testing method.
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Language Summary Language Original Title
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Notes Approved no
Call Number (up) Serial 579
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Author Genack, Azriel Z.; Kopp, Victor I.; Churikov, Victor M.; Singer, Jonathan; Chao, Norman; Neugroschl, Daniel A.
Title Chiral fiber Bragg gratings Type Conference Article
Year 2004 Publication Proceedings of the SPIE Abbreviated Journal Proc. SPIE
Volume 5508 Issue Pages 57-64
Keywords optical fiber gratings, chiral fiber gratings, chiral gratings, from chiralphotonics
Abstract We have produced chiral fiber Bragg gratings with double-helix symmetry and measured the polarization and wavelength selective transmission properties of these structures. These gratings interact only with circularly polarized light with the same handedness as the grating twist and freely transmit light of the orthogonal polarization. The optical characteristics of chiral fibers are compared to those of planar cholesteric structures. The resonant standing wave at the band edge or at a defect state within the band gap, as well as the evanescent wave within the band gap is comprised of two counterpropagating components of equal amplitude. The electric field vector of such a circularly polarized standing wave does not rotate in time; rather it is linearly polarized in any given plane. The standing wave may be described in terms of the sense of circular polarization of the two counterpropagating components. The wavelength dependence of the angle q between the linearly polarized electromagnetic field and the extraordinary axis, which is constant throughout a long structure, is obtained in a simple calculation. The results are in good agreement with scattering matrix calculations. Resonant chiral gratings are demonstrated for microwave radiation whereas chiral gratings with pitch exceeding the wavelength are demonstrated at optical wavelengths in single-mode glass fibers. The different functionalities of these fibers are discussed.
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Notes Approved no
Call Number (up) Serial 854
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Author Krasnopolsky, Vladimir A.; Maillard, Jean Pierre; C. Owen, Tobias
Title Detection of methane in the martian atmosphere: evidence for life? Type Journal Article
Year 2004 Publication Icarus Abbreviated Journal Icarus
Volume 172 Issue 2 Pages 537-547
Keywords FTS, Mars atmosphere, methane absorption lines, IR spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, landfill gas
Abstract Using the Fourier Transform Spectrometer at the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope, we observed a spectrum of Mars at the P-branch of the strongest CH4 band at 3.3 μm with resolving power of 180,000 for the apodized spectrum. Summing up the spectral intervals at the expected positions of the 15 strongest Doppler-shifted martian lines, we detected the absorption by martian methane at a 3.7 sigma level which is exactly centered in the summed spectrum. The observed CH4 mixing ratio is 10±3 ppb. Total photochemical loss of CH4 in the martian atmosphere is equal to View the MathML source, the CH4 lifetime is 340 years and methane should be uniformly mixed in the atmosphere. Heterogeneous loss of atmospheric methane is probably negligible, while the sink of CH4 during its diffusion through the regolith may be significant. There are no processes of CH4 formation in the atmosphere, so the photochemical loss must therefore be balanced by abiogenic and biogenic sources. Outgassing from Mars is weak, the latest volcanism is at least 10 million years old, and thermal emission imaging from the Mars Odyssey orbiter does not reveal any hot spots on Mars. Hydrothermal systems can hardly be warmer than the room temperature at which production of methane is very low in terrestrial waters. Therefore a significant production of hydrothermal and magmatic methane is not very likely on Mars. The calculated average production of CH4 by cometary impacts is 2% of the methane loss. Production of methane by meteorites and interplanetary dust does not exceed 4% of the methane loss. Methane cannot originate from an extinct biosphere, as in the case of “natural gas” on Earth, given the exceedingly low limits on organic matter set by the Viking landers and the dry recent history which has been extremely hostile to the macroscopic life needed to generate the gas. Therefore, methanogenesis by living subterranean organisms is a plausible explanation for this discovery. Our estimates of the biomass and its production using the measured CH4 abundance show that the martian biota may be extremely scarce and Mars may be generally sterile except for some oases.
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Language Summary Language Original Title
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Notes Approved no
Call Number (up) Serial 879
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