THz photon detectors with superconducting tunnel junctions

Sheng-Cai Shi; Jing Li; Xiao-Fang Shen; Wei Miao; Hiroshi Matsuo

doi:10.1117/12.760214

8 February 2008 THz photon detectors with superconducting tunnel junctions

Sheng-Cai Shi, Jing Li, Xiao-Fang Shen, Wei Miao, Hiroshi Matsuo

Proceedings Volume 6840, Terahertz Photonics; 684003 (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.760214
Event: Photonics Asia 2007, 2007, Beijing, China

Abstract

Superconducting tunnel junctions, which are also known as superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) junctions, are widely used in coherent detection (heterodyne mixing) of electromagnetic radiation at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths to achieve high spectral resolution (Δν/ν<10^-6). With extremely low dark current and high quantum efficiency, superconducting tunnel junctions are also promising for THz photon detection. Besides the merit of high detection sensitivity, THz photon detectors with superconducting tunnel junctions can be operated at relatively high temperatures (above 0.3 K) and don't need rather complicated filtering systems by simply incorporating a superconducting resonant circuit with superconducting tunnel junctions. This paper mainly investigates the characteristics of THz photon detectors with Nb and NbN-based superconducting tunnel junctions. The MAR effect and associated shot noise are addressed. Some analytical and preliminary experimental results are presented.

Citation Download Citation

Sheng-Cai Shi, Jing Li, Xiao-Fang Shen, Wei Miao, and Hiroshi Matsuo "THz photon detectors with superconducting tunnel junctions", Proc. SPIE 6840, Terahertz Photonics, 684003 (8 February 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.760214

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