Experimental studies of heterodyne mixing in Y-branch ballistic nano-junction

We analyze the potential of nanosized Y-branch junctions (YBJ) as devices for heterodyne mixers. We present the results of heterodyne conversion experiments showing frequency independent conversion loss up to 40 GHz input HF frequency. The high conversion loss (-55 dB for LO power P_LO = 0 dB) is explained as a result of poor matching of high-impedance YBJ and 50 Omega equipment. The use of multiple YBJs in parallel is proposed as a solution for improvement of conversion loss. The solution is analyzed theoretically using a behavioral model of YBJ. It is found that conversion loss can be reduced by 20 dB if 24 devices are used in parallel.