Demonstration of 2 x 2 heterodyne receiver array at 1.4THz using HEB mixers and Fourier phase grating LO

Abstract

This master thesis demonstrates the realization of a 2×2 heterodyne receiver array at 1.4 THz based on superconducting hot electron bolometer (HEB) mixers and a Fourier phase grating local oscillator (LO). This is the first time to build a heterodyne receiver array based on these two techniques at such a high frequency. The theoretical knowledge of two key components in this receiver array, HEB mixer and Fourier phase grating, have been elaborated in this thesis. The Fourier phase grating is further used in designing LO optical path to fit the array configuration. We also characterize the overall performances of this receiver array, including the required optimal pumped LO power, noise temperature, IF bandwidth and stability. Based on the fact that the phase grating duplicate the incoming single LO source, we suggest an idea of stabilizing two pixels using one stabilization circuit for the first time. This can reduce the complexity in designing large array. This 1.4 THz receiver array can also be served as a prototype for developing future 4.7 THz array in GUSSTO project, which is proposed to flight by NASA.