Abstract

Experimental details of a unique superconducting imaging array receiver are discussed. Each pixel contains an internally pumped receiver chip mounted on the back of the elliptical microwave lens. Each chip comprises a quasi-optical SIS mixer integrated with a superconducting flux-flow oscillator (FFO) both fabricated from the same Nb/AlO/sub x//Nb trilayer on a silicon substrate. Properties of the integrated lens antenna were studied using an externally pumped reference SIS mixer which showed antenna sidelobes below /spl sim/17 dB and a receiver double side band noise temperature, T/sub RX/(DSB), below 100 K within the frequency range 460-500 GHz that is close to the quantum noise. For the imaging array T/sub RX/(DSB)=150 K has been measured at 500 GHz using the internal flux-flow oscillator as a local oscillator (LO). A balanced SIS mixer was tested showing T/sub RX/(DSB)<100 K within the range of 480-510 GHz using the internal LO. A computer system was developed to control simultaneously the dc bias of the SIS mixer and the frequency and power provided by FFO. The system also performs automatic optimization of the receiver noise temperature.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.