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Superconductor Science and Technology

Microwave mixing and generation in the low-Tcand high-Tcsuperconducting thin-film bridges

L. É. Amatuni, K. Y. Constantinian, A.A. Hakhumian, R.B. Hayrapetian, Radic M. Martirossian, Kiejin Lee, Gwangseo Park

Published Feb 1, 1992• 3 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Microwave self-radiation at various frequencies and for different mixing processes in high quality Josephson edge-junctions based on Nb, and in thin-film bridges, based on Y-Ba-Cu-O have been experimentally studied and compared. High-T c samples were prepared using the surface-diffusion process on the insulating ceramic substrates. For the first time the authors describe the observation of a down-converted K-band noise signal obtained in a self-pumping mode.

DOI
10.1088/0953-2048/5/2/015

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Microwave self-radiation at various frequencies and for different mixing processes in high quality Josephson edge-junctions based on Nb, and in thin-film bridges, based on Y-Ba-Cu-O have been experimentally studied and compared. High-T c samples were prepared using the surface-diffusion process on the insulating ceramic substrates. For the first time the authors describe the observation of a down-converted K-band noise signal obtained in a self-pumping mode.
The nonlinear properties of Nb-Si-Nb high-quality edge-junctions and Y-Ba-Cu-O thin-film bridges were examined at several frequencies: f approximately=1.7, 21, and 39 GHz at T=4.2 K by means of the highly sensitive radiometric probe method. The results of self-pumping mixing regime in a single edge-junction and phase-locking processes in an array of 21 junctions are presented. The HTSC (high-temperature superconducting) bridge has exhibited strong generation intensity, more than 300 times higher than single edge-junctions, and stimulation of self-radiation under external microwave affection.
Current-voltage characteristics and microwave mixing properties of step-edge microbridge Josephson junctions (SEJJs) made of YBaCuO thin films were systematically investigated. The step-edge was formed on the surface of a MgO(100) substrate employing the common photolithograph and wet-etching techniques. YBaCuO thin film was deposited by the off-axis sputtering method, and the microbridge junctions were fabricated so as to cross the step-edge. The SEJJs showed typical DC and AC characteristics which were explained by the resistively shunted junction (RSJ) model. Mixing experiments were carried out in the K-band microwave region. An intermediate frequency (IF) output with the frequency range of 20 MHz~2.0 GHz was successfully obtained.
Current-voltage characteristics and microwave mixing properties of step-edge microbridge Josephson junctions (SEJJs) made of YBaCuO thin films were systematically investigated. The step-edge was formed on the surface of a MgO(100) substrate employing the common photolithograph and wet-etching techniques. YBaCuO thin film was deposited by the off-axis sputtering method, and the microbridge junctions were fabricated so as to cross the step-edge. The SEJJs showed typical DC and AC characteristics which were explained by the resistively shunted junction (RSJ) model. Mixing experiments were carried out in the K-band microwave region. An intermediate frequency (IF) output with the frequency range of 20 MHz∼2.0 GHz was successfully obtained.
Microwave properties of an Y-Ba-Cu-O microstrip detector have been studied at 24 GHz frequency band at the liquid-nitrogen temperature. The amplitude of the video detection signal was found to be proportional to the incident microwave power. Direct mixing action was also demonstrated, setting the upper limit for the film response time as short as 40 ps. Occurrence of microwave mixing in the absence of dc current bias was observed, suggesting the presence of the inverse Josephson effect. Physical properties of the detector response were very similar to the enhanced mode of detection, characteristic for granular superconducting films.
Microwave mixing and parametric conversion in YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7/ microbridges were investigated. The devices have been operated as down-converters, converting a 20-GHz radio frequency to a 1.5-GHz intermediate frequency under the action of an 18.5-GHz local oscillator. The microbridges were fabricated both as granular films on MgO substrates possessing grain boundary weak links and as epitaxial films deposited over substrate steps in LaAlO/sub 3/ substrates. The authors have measured conversion gains as high as -8+or-4 dB when mixing on the nonlinear resistive (superconducting-normal) transition and as high as -30 to -40 dB when parametrically converting via the nonlinear inductance of the bridge at bias currents less than the critical current. Output referred noise powers as low as -206 dB/Hz (3*10/sup -21/ W/Hz) have been measured. In some samples, noise switching events were observed.>
The first experimental data are presented on the observation of a response of a noise signal applied to a tunable-by-voltage high- T C Josephson mixer operating in a self-pumping mode within the frequency band of f = 750–970 GHz at ambient temperature T = 12.5 K. The mixer device was a thin-film YBaCuO bicrystal Josephson junction coupled with the electrodes patterned in log-periodic antenna. Experimental junctions exhibit RSJ-like I–V characteristics with a product of I C R N ≈ 2 mV ( I C is the critical current and R N is the normal state resistance). Down-converted signal response was examined at an intermediate frequency band within 1–2 GHz by means of the Fourier transform spectroscopy technique. Evaluated from Fourier transform spectrograms clear double-side band mixer response functions were registered at any of the fixed bias voltages in the range of V = 1.65–2.1 mV.