PT Journal
AU Semenov, AD
   Gol'tsman, GN
   Sobolewski, R
TI Hot-electron effect in superconductors and its applications for radiation sensors
SO Superconductor Science and Technology
JI Supercond. Sci. Technol.
PY 2002
BP R1-R16
VL 15
IS 4
DI 10.1088/0953-2048/15/4/201
DE HEB; SSPD
AB The paper reviews the main aspects of nonequilibrium hot-electron phenomena in superconductors and various theoretical models developed to describe the hot-electron effect. We discuss implementation of the hot-electron avalanche mechanism in superconducting radiation sensors and present the most successful practical devices, such as terahertz mixers and direct intensity detectors, for far-infrared radiation. Our presentation also includes the novel approach to hot-electron quantum detection implemented in superconducting x-ray to optical photon counters.
ER