Development of focal plane arrays with hot electron bolometer heterodyne detectors for 3 to 10 THz

Broadband tunable, hot electron bolometer (HEB) heterodyne detectors with receiver noise temperatures of the order of 10×hf/k in the frequency range 3 THz to 10 THz are required for future space systems. The HEB detectors have to be configured in focal plane arrays (FPA) with many elements (hundreds). We discuss the feasibility of such FPAs, especially the expected performance of HEB detectors at high terahertz frequencies, the role of quantum noise, and quasi-optical configurations. We show that a fly´s eye configuration with separate silicon lenses is preferable, and that MMIC IF amplifiers can be directly integrated with the HEB detectors. We also discuss suitable integrated antenna elements for the FPA and LO injection schemes.