2.5 THz multipixel heterodyne receiver based on NbN HEB mixers

Cherednichenko, Serguei; Drakinskiy, Vladimir; Baubert, Jean; Lecomte, B.; Dauplay, F.; Krieg, Jean-Michel; Delorme, Y.; Feret, A.; Hübers, H.-W.; Semenov, Alexey; Gol'Tsman, G. N.

doi:10.1117/12.672746

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…In [212], a report on a successful fabrication and gain bandwidth measurement of NbN HEB mixers based on 1.5 μm thick Si 3 N 4 -SiO 2 membrane is presented. A detailed description of the fabrication procedure is given in [213]. The authors have provedthat a gain bandwidth of 0.6-0.9 GHz measured for their membrane-based mixers could be easily extended up to 3 GHz by applying a MgO buffer layer underneath the NbN film.…”

Section: Membrane-based Heb Technologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Superconducting hot-electron bolometer: from the discovery of hot-electron phenomena to practical applications

Shurakov

Lobanov

Gol’tsman

2015

Supercond. Sci. Technol.

104

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The discovery of hot-electron phenomena in a thin superconducting film in the last century was followed by numerous experimental studies of its appearance in different materials aiming for a better understanding of the phenomena and consequent implementation of terahertz detection systems for practical applications. In contrast to the competitors such as superconductor-insulator-superconductor tunnel junctions and Schottky diodes, the hot electron bolometer (HEB) did not demonstrate any frequency limitation of the detection mechanism. The latter, in conjunction with a decent performance, rapidly made the HEB mixer the most attractive candidate for heterodyne observations at frequencies above 1 THz. The successful operation of practical instruments (the Heinrich Hertz Telescope, the Receiver Lab Telescope, APEX, SOFIA, Hershel) ensures the importance of the HEB technology despite the lack of rigorous theoretical routine for predicting the performance. In this review, we provide a summary of experimental and theoretical studies devoted to understanding the HEB physics, and an overview of various fabrication routes and materials.

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Section: Membrane-based Heb Technologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Superconducting hot-electron bolometer: from the discovery of hot-electron phenomena to practical applications

Shurakov

Lobanov

Gol’tsman

2015

Supercond. Sci. Technol.

104

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“…The choice of the substrate dimensions is defined by constrains of avoiding the substrate propagation mode accounting for a high dielectric permittivity of the Si, ε r =11.6. Another important consideration is the substrate thermal conductivity providing necessary cooling for the HEB mixer [26,27].…”

Section: Heb Mixer Rf Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Technology Demonstrator for 1.6–2.0 THz Waveguide HEB Receiver with a Novel Mixer Layout

Dochev

Desmaris

Meledin

et al. 2011

J Infrared Milli Terahz Waves

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In this paper, we present our studies on a technology demonstrator for a balanced waveguide hot-electron bolometer (HEB) mixer operating in the 1.6-2.0 THz band. The design employs a novel layout for the HEB mixer combining several key technologies: all-metal THz waveguide micromachining, ultra-thin NbN film deposition and a micromachining of a siliconon-insulator (SOI) substrate to manufacture the HEB mixer. In this paper, we present a novel mixer layout that greatly facilitates handling and mounting of the mixer chip via self-aligning as well as provides easy electrical interfacing. In our opinion, this opens up a real prospective for building multi-pixel waveguide THz receivers. Such receivers could be of interest for SOFIA, possible follow up of the Herschel HIFI, and even for ground based telescopes yet over limited periods of time with extremely dry weather (PWV less than 0.1 mm).

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“…Several THz array projects are ongoing and concepts have been presented for THz heterodyne arrays (e.g. [16][17][18]) but until now, none has been successfully operated on a telescope. Several satellite missions for the far infrared region (SPICA [19], Millimetron [20]) and balloon experiments (STO-2 as successor of STO [13] or GUSTO) plan to use array instruments in the future.…”

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confidence: 99%

First Supra-THz Heterodyne Array Receivers for Astronomy With the SOFIA Observatory

Risacher

Güsten

Stützki³

et al. 2016

IEEE Trans. THz Sci. Technol.

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Abstract-We present the upGREAT THz heterodyne arrays for far-infrared astronomy. The Low Frequency Array (LFA) is designed to cover the 1.9-2.5 THz range using 2x7-pixel waveguide-based HEB mixer arrays in a dual polarization configuration. The High Frequency Array (HFA) will perform observations of the [OI] line at ~4.745 THz using a 7-pixel waveguide-based HEB mixer array. This paper describes the common design for both arrays, cooled to 4.5 K using closedcycle pulse tube technology. We then show the laboratory and telescope characterization of the first array with its 14 pixels (LFA), which culminated in the successful commissioning in May 2015 aboard the SOFIA airborne observatory observing the [CII] fine structure transition at 1.905 THz. This is the first successful demonstration of astronomical observations with a heterodyne focal plane array above 1 THz and is also the first time highpower closed-cycle coolers for temperatures below 4.5 K are operated on an airborne platform.

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2.5 THz multipixel heterodyne receiver based on NbN HEB mixers

Cited by 6 publications

References 18 publications

Superconducting hot-electron bolometer: from the discovery of hot-electron phenomena to practical applications

Superconducting hot-electron bolometer: from the discovery of hot-electron phenomena to practical applications

A Technology Demonstrator for 1.6–2.0 THz Waveguide HEB Receiver with a Novel Mixer Layout

First Supra-THz Heterodyne Array Receivers for Astronomy With the SOFIA Observatory

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