Finkel, M., Thierschmann, H. R., Galatro, L., Katan, A. J., Thoen, D. J., de Visser, P. J., et al. (2016). Branchline and directional THz coupler based on PECVD SiNx-technology. In 41st IRMMW-THz.
Abstract: A fabrication technology to realize THz microstrip lines and passive circuit components is developed and tested making use of a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition grown silicon nitride (PECVD SiNx) dielectric membrane. We use 2 μm thick SiNx and 300 nm thick gold layers on sapphire substrates. We fabricate a set of structures for thru-reflect-line (TRL) calibration, with the reflection standard implemented as a short through the via. We find losses of 9.5 dB/mm at 300 GHz for a 50 Ohm line. For a branchline coupler we measure 2.5 dB insertion loss, 1 dB amplitude imbalance and 21 dB isolation. Good control over the THz lines parameters is proven by similar performance of a set of 5 structures. The directional couplers show -14 dB transmission to the coupled port, -24 dB to the isolated port and -25 dB in reflection. The SiNx membrane, used as a dielectric, is compatible with atomic force microscopy (AFM) cantilevers allowing the application of this technology to the development of a THz near-field microscope.
|
Korneeva, Y. P., Vodolazov, D. Y., Semenov, A. V., Florya, I. N., Simonov, N., Baeva, E., et al. (2018). Optical single photon detection in micron-scaled NbN bridges. arXiv:1802.02881v1 [cond-mat.supr-con].
Abstract: We demonstrate experimentally that single photon detection can be achieved in micron-wide NbN bridges, with widths ranging from 0.53 μm to 5.15 μm and for photon-wavelengths from 408 nm to 1550 nm. The microbridges are biased with a dc current close to the experimental critical current, which is estimated to be about 50 % of the theoretically expected depairing current. These results offer an alternative to the standard superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs), based on nanometer scale nanowires implemented in a long meandering structure. The results are consistent with improved theoretical modelling based on the theory of non-equilibrium superconductivity including the vortex-assisted mechanism of initial dissipation.
|
Titova, N., Kardakova, A. I., Tovpeko, N., Ryabchun, S., Mandal, S., Morozov, D., et al. (2017). Slow electron–phonon cooling in superconducting diamond films. IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., 27(4), 1–4.
Abstract: We have measured the electron-phonon energy-relaxation time, τ eph , in superconducting boron-doped diamond films grown on silicon substrate by chemical vapor deposition. The observed electron-phonon cooling times vary from 160 ns at 2.70 K to 410 ns at 1.8 K following a T -2-dependence. The data are consistent with the values of τ eph previously reported for single-crystal boron-doped diamond films epitaxially grown on diamond substrate. Such a noticeable slow electron-phonon relaxation in boron-doped diamond, in combination with a high normal-state resistivity, confirms a potential of superconducting diamond for ultrasensitive superconducting bolometers.
|
Zolotov, P. I., Semenov, A. V., Divochiy, A. V., Goltsman, G. N., Romanov, N. R., & Klapwijk, T. M. (2021). Dependence of photon detection efficiency on normal-state sheet resistance in marginally superconducting films of NbN. IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., 31(5), 1–5.
Abstract: We present an extensive set of data on nanowire-type superconducting single-photon detectors based on niobium-nitride (NbN) to establish the empirical correlation between performance and the normal-state resistance per square. We focus, in particular, on the bias current, compared to the expected depairing current, needed to achieve a near-unity detection efficiency for photon detection. The data are discussed within the context of a model in which the photon energy triggers the movement of vortices i.e. superconducting dissipation, followed by thermal runaway. Since the model is based on the non-equilibrium theory for conventional superconductors deviations may occur, because the efficient regime is found when NbN acts as a marginal superconductor in which long-range phase coherence is frustrated.
|
Kardakova, A. I., Coumou, P. C. J. J., Finkel, M. I., Morozov, D. V., An, P. P., Goltsman, G. N., et al. (2015). Electron–phonon energy relaxation time in thin strongly disordered titanium nitride films. IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., 25(3), 1–4.
Abstract: We have measured the energy relaxation times from the electron bath to the phonon bath in strongly disordered TiN films grown by atomic layer deposition. The measured values of τ eph vary from 12 to 91 ns. Over a temperature range from 3.4 to 1.7 K, they follow T -3 temperature dependence, which are consistent with values of τ eph reported previously for sputtered TiN films. For the most disordered film, with an effective elastic mean free path of 0.35 nm, we find a faster relaxation and a stronger temperature dependence, which may be an additional indication of the influence of strong disorder on a superconductor.
|
