We present the results of experimental studies of the basic characteristics and operation features of a terahertz heterodyne detector based on the superconducting NbN HEB mixer and a quantum cascade laser as a local oscillator operating at a frequency of 2.02 THz. The measured noise temperature of such a mixer amounted to 1500 K. The spectral resolution of the detector is determined by the width of the local-oscillator spectral line whose measured value does not exceed 1 MHz. The quantum-cascade laser could be linearly tuned with respect to frequency with the coefficient 7.2 MHz/mA within the limits of the current oscillation bandwidth.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
E. M. Gershenzon, G. N. Goltsman, I. G. Gogidze, et al., Sverkhprovod. Fiz. Khim. Tekh., 3, 1582 (1990)
W. Zhang, P. Khosropanah, J. R. Gao, et al., Appl. Phys. Lett., 96, 111113 (2010).
P. Putz, Astron. Astrophys., 542, L2 (2012).
R. Kohler, Nature, 417, 156 (2002).
H. Richter, M. Greiner-Bar, K. Rosner, et al., in: Proc. 25th Int. Symp. on Space Terahertz Technology (ISSTT), April 27–30, 2014, Moscow, p. 26.
D. Burghoff, Kao Tsung-Yu, N. Han, et al., Nat. Photon., 8, 462 (2014).
D. Meledin, A. Pavolotsky, V. Desmaris, et al., IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech., 57, No. 1, 89 (2009).
I. V. Tret’yakov, N. S. Kaurova, B. M. Voronov, et al., Tech. Phys. Lett., 42, No. 6, 563 (2016).
I. Tretyakov, S. Ryabchun, M. Finkel, et al., Appl. Phys. Lett., 98, 033507 (2011).
D. G. Paveliev, Y. I. Koshurinov, A. S. Ivanov, et al., Semiconductors, 46, No. 1, 121 (2012).
N. Vercruyssen, T. G. A. Verhagen, M. G. Flokstra, et al., Phys. Rev. B, 85, 224503 (2012).
G. R. Boogaard, A. H. Verbruggen, W. Belzig, and T. M. Klapwijk, Phys. Rev. B, 69, 220503(R) (2004).
D. J. Hayton, A. Khudchenko, D. G. Pavelyev, et al., in: Proc. 25th Int. Symp. on Space Terahertz Technology (ISSTT), April 27–30, 2014, Moscow, p. 24.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 60, No. 12, pp. 1104–1108, December 2017.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tretyakov, I.V., Anfertyev, V.A., Revin, L.S. et al. Sensitivity and Resolution of a Heterodyne Receiver Based on the NbN HEB Mixer with a Quantum-Cascade Laser as a Local Oscillator. Radiophys Quantum El 60, 988–992 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11141-018-9863-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11141-018-9863-x