A terahertz focal plane array using HEB superconducting mixers and MMIC IF amplifiers

Author

Rodriguez-Morales, Fernando ; Yngvesson, K. Sigfrid ; Gerecht, Eyal ; Wadefalk, Niklas ; Nicholson, John ; Gu, Dazhen ; Zhao, Xin ; Goyette, Thomas ; Waldman, Jerry

Author_Institution

Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA

Volume

15

Issue

4

fYear

2005

fDate

4/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

199

Lastpage

201

Abstract

We present a focal plane array (FPA) designed for operation at terahertz frequencies. The FPA is based on NbN phonon-cooled hot electron bolometer mixers directly coupled to wide-band microwave monolithic integrated circuit IF amplifiers. The array incorporates all the required dc-bias and IF circuitry in a compact split-block design. We present new experimental results describing the optical coupling efficiency to the array, as well as receiver noise temperature measurements. The measurements were performed at 1.6 THz, showing good agreement with theoretical predictions. This is the first low-noise heterodyne focal plane array to be reported for any frequency above 1 THz.

Keywords

MMIC amplifiers; bolometers; focal planes; heterodyne detection; hot carriers; niobium compounds; submillimetre wave receivers; superconducting mixers; 1.6 THz; HEB superconducting mixers; MMIC IF amplifiers; NbN; heterodyne detectors; hot electron bolometer mixers; low-noise amplifier; receiver noise temperature measurements; split-block design; terahertz focal plane array; terahertz receivers; Bolometers; Broadband amplifiers; Coupling circuits; Electrons; Frequency; MMICs; Optical amplifiers; Optical arrays; Superconducting integrated circuits; Superconducting microwave devices; Focal plane arrays (FPAs); hot electron bolometer (HEB) heterodyne detectors; microwave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC) low-noise amplifiers (LNAs); terahertz receivers;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Microwave and Wireless Components Letters, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1531-1309

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/LMWC.2005.845688

Filename

1416927