Low noise NbN hot electron bolometer mixer at 4.3?THz

Journal article (2007)
Department
Kavli Institute of Nanoscience (AS) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2007 The Author(s); American Institute of Physics
DOI: https://doi.org/doi:10.1063/1.2819534
Quantum noise Bolometers Hot carriers Fluctuations in superconductors Niobium compounds Superconductor-insulator-superconductor mixers
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Published Date

29-11-2007

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Source:

Applied Physics Letters, 91 (22), 2007

ISSN:

0003-6951

ISBN:

0003-6951

Source:

http://link.aip.org/link/APPLAB/v91/i22/p221111/s1

Faculty

Applied Sciences

Department

Kavli Institute of Nanoscience

Abstract

We have studied the sensitivity of a superconducting NbN hot electron bolometer mixer integrated with a spiral antenna at 4.3?THz. Using hot/cold blackbody loads and a beam splitter all in vacuum, we measured a double sideband receiver noise temperature of 1300?K at the optimum local oscillator (LO) power of 330?nW, which is about 12 times the quantum noise (h?/2kB). Our result indicates that there is no sign of degradation of the mixing process at the superterahertz frequencies. Moreover, a measurement method is introduced which allows us for an accurate determination of the sensitivity despite LO power fluctuations.

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