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Applied Physics Letters

HARMONIC MIXING OF MICROWAVE AND FAR-INFRARED LASER RADIATION USING A JOSEPHSON JUNCTION

Donald G. McDonald, Allan S. Risley, J. D. Cupp, K. M. Evenson

Published Feb 15, 1971• 60 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Simultaneous irradiation of a Josephson junction with ≈ 10 GHz microwave power and 891-GHz laser radiation produces a 60-MHz beat between the fundamental laser frequency and harmonics of the klystron, ranging from the 84th to the 100th as the klystron is tuned. Observation of such high-order harmonic mixing of klystron and laser signals is unprecedented.

DOI
10.1063/1.1653609

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Point-contact-type Josephson harmonic mixer for frequency measurement of far-infrared lasers

Yukinobu Miki, Eiichi Sakuma, Masanao Morimura

Point-contact-type Josephson junctions have been developed as a harmonic mixer to measure far-infrared (FIR) laser frequencies in a frequency chain up to the infrared region. The junctions were formed by mechanically pressing a niobium wire of 70 μm in diameter with a sharply etched tip against a niobium post of 2 mm in diameter. The voltage-current characteristics of the mixers were investigated under the irradiation of FIR lights from an optically pumped methyl-alcohol laser. The Shapiro steps for FIR lights up to 3.1 THz were observed. The mixing properties of the mixers were studied through harmonic mixing experiments of 50-GHz microwaves and the FIR lights up to the frequency of 3.1 THz. The conversion efficiency of the beat signals to the incident FIR power was found to vary as the — 4th power of the FIR frequency. From the mixing properties, the combination of the critical current Icof the junction and the product IcRnwhere Rnis the normal resistance of the junction, was found important to optimize the mixing performance.

IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement•Jun 1, 1987•3 citations
Simultaneous irradiation of a Josephson junction with ≈ 10 GHz microwave power and 891-GHz laser radiation produces a 60-MHz beat between the fundamental laser frequency and harmonics of the klystron, ranging from the 84th to the 100th as the klystron is tuned. Observation of such high-order harmonic mixing of klystron and laser signals is unprecedented.
For mixing in a Josephson junction at infrared frequencies, we have shown that the available power from the junction increases as the intermediate frequency is increased. Following this result an infrared receiver has been developed incorporating a 9-GHz maser preamplifier at the i.f. Using this system, the beat between the 401st harmonic of a high-quality microwave source and a 3.8-THz infrared laser has been observed. Also, for low-order mixing at 3.8 THz, a comparison of beat signals from a Josephson junction and a room-temperature mixer has been made.
Experiments are described in which Josephson point contacts were used to generate and mix harmonics (up to the 96th) of microwave klystrons with the radiation from an HCN laser at 891 GHz. A qualitative analysis of mixing of two external radiations in a Josephson junction is given in order to understand the existence of mixing components independent of the Josephson oscillation frequency and linewidth. The spectral analysis of the HCN laser shows the importance of the microwave source spectral purity when frequency multiplication by large factors is considered.
Experiments are described in which simple and relatively reliable point-contact Josephson junctions were used to generate and mix harmonics (up to the 50th) of microwave klystron frequencies with emissions from a hydrogen cyanide laser operating at 891 GHz. Data are presented illustrating the variation of the intermediate frequency signal with DC bias current through the junction and incident radiation power levels, and the results compared, where possible, with a simple qualitative theory of Josephson mixing. Details are also given of experiments in which such a mixer was used to phase-lock a klystron to the laser, enabling the laser frequency to be accurately and continuously monitored.
Thin film niobium nitride Josephson tunnel junctions have been used as harmonic mixers in experiments to measure the frequency of various submillimetre wavelength laser lines. The Josephson junctions were used as harmonic mixers with an 18-40 GHz microwave synthesiser providing the local oscillator signal. Harmonics up to the 140th of ∼18 GHz, generated within the junction, mixed with optically pumped laser lines up to 2.5 THz to produce output signals around 20 MHz. Results of frequency measurements and data on the performance of the mixing system, including signal to noise ratios and frequency response, will be presented.
Point-contact-type Josephson junctions have been developed as a harmonic mixer to measure far-infrared (FIR) laser frequencies in a frequency chain up to the infrared region. The junctions were formed by mechanically pressing a niobium wire of 70 μm in diameter with a sharply etched tip against a niobium post of 2 mm in diameter. The voltage-current characteristics of the mixers were investigated under the irradiation of FIR lights from an optically pumped methyl-alcohol laser. The Shapiro steps for FIR lights up to 3.1 THz were observed. The mixing properties of the mixers were studied through harmonic mixing experiments of 50-GHz microwaves and the FIR lights up to the frequency of 3.1 THz. The conversion efficiency of the beat signals to the incident FIR power was found to vary as the — 4th power of the FIR frequency. From the mixing properties, the combination of the critical current Icof the junction and the product IcRnwhere Rnis the normal resistance of the junction, was found important to optimize the mixing performance.