Title :
NbN hot electron bolometric mixers-a new technology for low-noise THz receivers
Author :
Gerecht, E. ; Zhuang, Yueting ; Yngvesson, K.S. ; Gol´tsman, G.N. ; Voronov, Boris M. ; Gershenzon, E.M.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Phys. & Astron., Massachusetts Univ., Amherst, MA
fDate :
12/1/1999 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
New advances in hot electron bolometer (HEB) mixers have recently resulted in record-low receiver noise temperatures at terahertz frequencies. We have developed quasi-optically coupled NbN HEB mixers and measured noise temperatures up to 2.24 THz, as described in this paper. We project the anticipated future performance of such receivers to have even lower noise temperature and local-oscillator power requirement as well as wider gain and noise bandwidths. We introduce a proposal for integrated focal plane arrays of HEB mixers that will further increase the detection speed of terahertz systems
Keywords :
bolometers; focal planes; hot carriers; niobium compounds; submillimetre wave mixers; submillimetre wave receivers; superconducting device noise; superconducting mixers; 620 GHz to 2.24 THz; NbN; NbN hot electron bolometric mixers; astronomical observing platforms; gain; integrated focal plane arrays; local-oscillator power requirement; low-noise THz receivers; noise bandwidth; quasi-optically coupled NbN HEB mixers; receiver noise temperature; terahertz frequencies; terahertz system detection speed; Bolometers; Electrons; Frequency; Hafnium; Plasma temperature; Schottky diodes; Space technology; Submillimeter wave technology; Superconducting device noise; Temperature distribution;
Journal_Title :
Microwave Theory and Techniques, IEEE Transactions on
