Y-Ba-Cu-O superconducting hot electron heterodyne mixers: simulated THz performance for stand-off target detection

Alain J. Kreisler; Romain G. Ladret; Vishal S. Jagtap; Annick F. Dégardin

doi:10.1117/12.2533145

18 October 2019 Y-Ba-Cu-O superconducting hot electron heterodyne mixers: simulated THz performance for stand-off target detection

Alain J. Kreisler, Romain G. Ladret, Vishal S. Jagtap, Annick F. Dégardin

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 11164, Millimetre Wave and Terahertz Sensors and Technology XII; 1116408 (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2533145
Event: SPIE Security + Defence, 2019, Strasbourg, France

Abstract

In the THz range, high-T_C superconductor (HTS) hot electron bolometers (HEB) are offering a competitive alternative to moderately cooled (e.g., 60 to 80 K) Schottky mixers. This is due to HTS HEBs large expected bandwidth (tens of GHz), and low local oscillator power requirements (tens of microwatts, as compared to several milliwatts required for Schottky diode pumping). Indeed, the large instantaneous bandwidth is driven by the very short electron to phonon relaxation time in Y-Ba-Cu-O HTS oxide − 1 to 2 ps, typically, whereas it is about 20 ns in NbN, a low- T_C superconductor (LTS). Besides, as for the LTS counterparts, it is mandatory to grow ultra thin high quality HTS epitaxial films, in order to process micro or nano-bolometers (nano-constrictions) exhibiting good mixing performances. Early HEB models were based on the point bolometer approach, which describes the device in terms of thermal reservoirs only. We have extended the hot spot model (initially introduced for LTS HEBs) to Y-Ba-Cu-O HEBs, taking into account the spatial dependence of the electron and phonon temperatures along the nano-constriction. We have also introduced the THz frequency effects in the Y-Ba-Cu-O superconducting transition as well as the impedance matching between the nanoconstriction and the antenna. We have checked the feasibility of stand-off target detection operating in the passive mode with an Y-Ba-Cu-O HEB THz heterodyne mixer. For instance, detection at 5 m through cotton cloth in passive imaging mode could be readily achieved in standard humidity conditions with 10 K resolution at 2.5 THz.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Alain J. Kreisler, Romain G. Ladret, Vishal S. Jagtap, and Annick F. Dégardin "Y-Ba-Cu-O superconducting hot electron heterodyne mixers: simulated THz performance for stand-off target detection", Proc. SPIE 11164, Millimetre Wave and Terahertz Sensors and Technology XII, 1116408 (18 October 2019); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2533145

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available