Pavel A. Yagoubov

Superconducting integrated receiver for TELIS

TELIS (Terahertz and submm Limb Sounder) is a cooperative European project to develop a three-channel heterodyne balloon-based spectrometer for measuring a variety of atmospheric constituents within the lower stratosphere. The 600-650GHz channel is based on a phase-locked Superconducting Integrated Receiver (SIR). SIR is the on-chip combination of a low-noise SIS mixer with quasioptical antenna, a superconducting Flux Flow Oscillator (FFO) acting as Local Oscillator (LO) and an SIS harmonic mixer (HM) for FFO phase locking. A number of new solutions was implemented in the new generation of SIR chips. To achieve the wide-band performance of the spectrometer, a side-feed twin-SIS mixer with 0.8 /spl mu/m/sup 2/ junctions integrated with a double-dipole (or double-slot) antenna is used. A Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) test demonstrated a possibility to obtain the required instantaneous bandwidth for the SIS mixer. To ensure the autonomous operation of the phase-locked SIR on the balloon a number of approaches for the PLL SIR automatic control have been developed.

Development and characterization of the superconducting integrated receiver channel of the TELIS atmospheric sounder

The balloon-borne instrument TELIS (TErahertz and submillimetre LImb Sounder) is a three-channel superconducting heterodyne spectrometer for atmospheric research use. It detects spectral emission lines of stratospheric trace gases that have their rotational transitions at THz frequencies. One of the channels is based on the superconducting integrated receiver (SIR) technology. We demonstrate for the first time the capabilities of the SIR technology for heterodyne spectroscopy in general, and atmospheric limb sounding in particular. We also show that the application of SIR technology is not limited to laboratory environments, but that it is well suited for remote operation under harsh environmental conditions. Within a SIR the main components needed for a superconducting heterodyne receiver such as a superconductor–insulator–superconductor (SIS) mixer with a quasi-optical antenna, a flux-flow oscillator (FFO) as the local oscillator, and a harmonic mixer to phase lock the FFO are integrated on a single chip. Light weight and low power consumption combined with broadband operation and nearly quantum limited sensitivity make the SIR a perfect candidate for use in future airborne and space-borne missions. The noise temperature of the SIR was measured to be as low as 120 K, with an intermediate frequency band of 4–8 GHz in double-sideband operation. The spectral resolution is well below 1 MHz, confirmed by our measurements. Remote control of the SIR under flight conditions has been demonstrated in a successful balloon flight in Kiruna, Sweden. The sensor and instrument design are presented, as well as the preliminary science results from the first flight. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version)

Superconducting Integrated Receiver Based on Nb-AlN-NbN-Nb Circuits

The superconducting integrated receiver (SIR) comprising in one chip a superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) mixer and a phase-locked superconducting flux flow oscillator (FFO) is under development for the international project TELIS. To overcome temperature constraints and extend operation frequency of the SIR we have developed and studied Nb-AlN-NbN-Nb circuits with a gap voltage Vg up to 3.7 mV and extremely low leakage currents . Based on these junctions integrated microcircuits comprising FFO and harmonic mixer have been designed, fabricated and tested; the radiation from such circuits has been measured at frequencies up to 700 GHz. Employment of NbN electrode does not result in the appearance of additional noise. For example, FFO linewidth as low as 1 MHz was measured at 600 GHz, that allows us to phase lock up to 92% of the emitted by FFO power and realize very low phase noise about 90 dBc. Preliminary results demonstrated uncorrected DSB noise temperature of the Nb-AlN-NbN SIR below 250 K at frequencies around 600 GHz.

An integrated receiver with phase-locked superconducting oscillator

A submillimeter heterodyne spectrometer employing a superconducting local oscillator is demonstrated for the first time. The sensor chip comprises a quasioptical double-dipole lens-antenna SIS mixer (T/sub RX/=250 K at 380 GHz), a Josephson flux-flow oscillator and a SIS harmonic mixer. Room temperature PLL electronics is used with a reference source at 10 GHz. The PLL bandwidth of 10 MHz and the hold range of 3 GHz are estimated for locking at 32-th harmonic of the reference source. The spectral resolution better than 1 MHz and broadening effect of a spectral line of SO/sub 2/ gas at 326867 MHz are measured with a laboratory gas cell at 300 K at pressure 0.03 - 0.3 mbar using acousto-optical spectrometer.

Externally phase-locked flux flow oscillator for submm integrated receivers: achievements and limitations

A Josephson flux flow oscillator (FFO) is the most developed superconducting local oscillator for integration with an SIS mixer in a single-chip submm-wave receiver. Recently, using a new FFO design, a free-running linewidth /spl les/10 MHz has been measured in the frequency range up to 712 GHz, limited only by the gap frequency of Nb. This enabled us to phase lock the FFO in the frequency range 500-712 GHz where continuous frequency tuning is possible; resulting in an absolute FFO phase noise as low as -80 dBc at 707 GHz. Comprehensive measurements of the FFO radiation linewidth have been performed using an integrated SIS harmonic mixer. The influence of FFO parameters on radiation linewidth, particularly the effect of the differential resistances associated both with the bias current and the applied magnetic field has been studied in order to further optimize the FFO design. A new approach with a self-shielded FFO has been developed and experimentally tested.

A cryogenic phase locking loop system for a superconducting integrated receiver

The authors present a new cryogenic device, an ultrawideband cryogenic phase locking loop system (CPLL). The CPLL was developed for phase locking of a flux-flow oscillator (FFO) in a superconducting integrated receiver (SIR) but can be used for any cryogenic terahertz oscillator. The key element of the CPLL is the cryogenic phase detector (CPD), a recently proposed new superconducting element. The CPD is an innovative implementation of a superconductor– insulator–superconductor tunnel junction. All components of the CPLL reside inside a cryostat at 4.2 K, with the loop length of cables 50 cm and the total loop delay 4.5 ns. So small a delay results in a CPLL synchronization bandwidth as wide as 40 MHz and allows phase locking of more than 60% of the power emitted by the FFO, even for FFO linewidths of about 11 MHz. This percentage of phase locked power is three times that achieved with conventional room temperature PLLs. Such an improvement enables reducing the FFO phase noise and extending the SIR operation range. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version)

Balloon-borne heterodyne stratospheric limb sounder TELIS ready for flight

TELIS (TErahertz and submm LImb Sounder) is a three-channel balloon-borne heterodyne spectrometer for atmospheric research. The observational techniques of TELIS can be compared to the presently flying MLS instrument on board NASAs EOS-Aura satellite, but TELIS is built with a new generation of cryogenic heterodyne detectors and novel compact systems suitable for integration into the confined space of a balloon borne cryostat. TELIS will fly on the MIPAS-B2 gondola. The two instruments together will yield the most complete set of stratospheric constituents, measured so far. TELIS is a cooperation between the European institutes DLR (PI-institute), RAL and SRON. First flight foreseen in the spring of 2008 from Teresina, Brasil. The three TELIS receivers provide simultaneous vertical profile measurement of a range of molecules. The 500 GHz channel is developed by RAL and will produce vertical profiles of BrO, ClO, O3 and N2O. The 1.8 THz channel is developed by DLR and will mainly target the OH radical, and will also measure HO2, HCl, NO, NO2, O3, H2O, O2 and HOCl. Finally the 480 - 650 GHz channel is developed by SRON and IREE and will measure profiles of ClO, BrO, O3, HCl, HOCl, H2O and its 3 isotopomers, H2O2, NO, N2O, HNO3, CH3Cl and HCN. In this paper, the science and technology of TELIS will be discussed with emphasis on the channel developed by SRON. It contains a Superconducting Integrated Receiver (SIR), which combines on a 4x4 mm2 chip the low-noise SIS mixer and its quasioptical antenna, a superconducting phase-locked Flux Flow Oscillator (FFO) acting as Local Oscillator (LO) and a SIS harmonic mixer (HM) for FFO phase locking. The latest results from the pre-flight test and integration campaigns will be presented.

SEPIA - a new single pixel receiver at the APEX Telescope

Context: We describe the new SEPIA (Swedish-ESO PI Instrument for APEX) receiver, which was designed and built by the Group for Advanced Receiver Development (GARD), at Onsala Space Observatory (OSO) in collaboration with ESO. It was installed and commissioned at the APEX telescope during 2015 with an ALMA Band 5 receiver channel and updated with a new frequency channel (ALMA Band 9) in February 2016. Aims: This manuscript aims to provide, for observers who use the SEPIA receiver, a reference in terms of the hardware description, optics and performance as well as the commissioning results. Methods: Out of three available receiver cartridge positions in SEPIA, the two current frequency channels, corresponding to ALMA Band 5, the RF band 158--211 GHz, and Band 9, the RF band 600--722 GHz, provide state-of-the-art dual polarization receivers. The Band 5 frequency channel uses 2SB SIS mixers with an average SSB noise temperature around 45K with IF (intermediate frequency) band 4--8 GHz for each sideband providing total 4x4 GHz IF band. The Band 9 frequency channel uses DSB SIS mixers with a noise temperature of 75--125K with IF band 4--12 GHz for each polarization. Results: Both current SEPIA receiver channels are available to all APEX observers.

Superconducting Integrated THz Receiver

A Superconducting Integrated Receiver (SIR) developed for balloon borne instrument TELIS covers frequency range 450–650 GHz. The DSB noise temperature was measured as low as 120 K. The SIR application for high resolution spectroscopy of breathed out air has been proven.

Integrated Submm Wave Receiver: Development and Applications

A superconducting integrated receiver (SIR) comprises in a single chip a planar antenna combined with a superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) mixer, a superconducting Flux Flow Oscillator (FFO) acting as a Local Oscillator (LO) and a second SIS harmonic mixer (HM) for the FFO phase locking. In this report, an overview of the SIR and FFO developments and optimizations is presented. Improving on the fully Nb-based SIR we have developed and studied Nb–AlN–NbN circuits, which exhibit an extended operation frequency range. Continuous tuning of the phase locked frequency has been experimentally demonstrated at any frequency in the range 350–750 GHz. The FFO free-running linewidth has been measured between 1 and 5 MHz, which allows to phase lock up to 97% of the emitted FFO power. The output power of the FFO is sufficient to pump the matched SIS mixer. Therefore, it is concluded that the Nb–AlN–NbN FFOs are mature enough for practical applications.These achievements enabled the development of a 480–650 GHz integrated receiver for the atmospheric-research instrument TErahertz and submillimeter LImb Sounder (TELIS). This balloon-borne instrument is a three-channel superconducting heterodyne spectrometer for the detection of spectral emission lines of stratospheric trace gases that have their rotational transitions at THz frequencies. One of the channels is based on the SIR technology. We demonstrate for the first time the capabilities of the SIR technology for heterodyne spectroscopy in general, and atmospheric limb sounding in particular. We also show that the application of SIR technology is not limited to laboratory environments, but that it is well suited for remote operation under harsh environmental conditions. Light weight and low power consumption combined with broadband operation and nearly quantum limited sensitivity make the SIR a perfect candidate for future airborne and space-borne missions. The noise temperature of the SIR was measured to be as low as 120 K in double sideband operation, with an intermediate frequency band of 4–8 GHz. The spectral resolution is well below 1 MHz, confirmed by our measurements. Remote control of the SIR under flight conditions has been demonstrated in a successful balloon flight in Kiruna, Sweden.Capability of the SIR for high-resolution spectroscopy has been successfully proven also in a laboratory environment by gas cell measurements. The possibility to use SIR devices for the medical analysis of exhaled air will be discussed. Many medically relevant gases have spectral lines in the sub-terahertz range and can be detected by an SIR-based spectrometer. The SIR can be considered as an operational device, ready for many applications.