Characterization of low-noise quasi-optical SIS mixers for the submillimeter band

Author

Gaidis, Michael C. ; LeDuc, Henry G. ; Bin, Mei ; Miller, David ; Stern, Jeffrey A. ; Zmuidzinas, Jonas

Author_Institution

Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Technol., Pasadena, CA, USA

Volume

44

Issue

7

fYear

1996

fDate

7/1/1996 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

1130

Lastpage

1139

Abstract

We report on the development of low-noise quasi-optical SIS mixers for the frequency range 400-850 GHz. The mixers utilize twin-slot antennas, two-junction tuning circuits, and Nb-trilayer junctions. Fourier-transform spectrometry has been used to verify that the frequency response of the devices is well predicted by computer simulations. The 400-850 GHz frequency band can be covered with four separate fixed-tuned mixers. We measure uncorrected double-sideband receiver noise temperatures around 5hν/k_B to 700 GHz, and better than 540 K at 808 GHz. These results are among the best reported to date for broadband heterodyne receivers

Keywords

Fourier transform spectroscopy; frequency response; niobium; slot antennas; submillimetre wave antennas; submillimetre wave mixers; superconducting device testing; superconducting microwave devices; superconductor-insulator-superconductor mixers; type II superconductors; 400 to 850 GHz; Fourier-transform spectrometry; Nb; broadband heterodyne receivers; double-sideband receiver noise temperatures; fixed-tuned mixers; frequency response; low-noise quasi-optical SIS mixers; submillimeter band; trilayer junctions; twin-slot antennas; two-junction tuning circuits; Frequency; Laboratories; NASA; Niobium; Optical receivers; Optical waveguides; Physics; Propulsion; Space technology; Temperature;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Microwave Theory and Techniques, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9480

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/22.508648

Filename

508648