Design and Characterization of a 211–275 GHz Sideband Separating Mixer for the APEX Telescope

Author

Vassilev, V. ; Henke, D. ; Lapkin, I. ; Nyström, O. ; Monje, R. ; Pavolotsky, A. ; Belitsky, V.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Radio & Space Sci., Chalmers Univ. of Technol., Goteborg, Sweden

Volume

18

Issue

1

fYear

2008

Firstpage

58

Lastpage

60

Abstract

We present the final results of the development and characterization of the sideband separating superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) mixer for the APEX telescope band 1 (211-275 GHz). The sideband separation is achieved by using a quadrature scheme where the radio frequency (RF) and a local oscillator (LO) power are applied to two identical double sideband SIS mixers. All mixer components, including the LO and RF distribution circuitry, are integrated into a single mixer block. To achieve a compact design we developed a superconducting Lange coupler, based on Nb thin film, which is used as an intermediate frequency hybrid. Typical single sideband noise temperature of 100 K and sideband rejection ratio of about 12 dB and are measured.

Keywords

millimetre wave mixers; radiofrequency oscillators; radiotelescopes; superconducting microwave devices; superconductor-insulator-superconductor mixers; APEX telescope; double sideband SIS mixers; frequency 211 GHz to 275 GHz; local oscillator power; quadrature scheme; radio frequency; sideband separating mixer characterization; sideband separating mixer design; single sideband noise temperature; superconducting Lange coupler; superconductor-insulator-superconductor mixers; Coupling circuits; Local oscillators; Niobium; Optical design; Radio frequency; Superconducting device noise; Superconducting devices; Superconducting thin films; Telescopes; Thin film circuits; Quadrature hybrid; sideband separating mixers; superconductor–insulator–superconductor (SIS) mixer;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Microwave and Wireless Components Letters, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1531-1309

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/LMWC.2007.912026

Filename

4408590