Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

IEEE Transactions on Magnetics

Quasiparticle mixing close to the gap frequency in aluminum tunnel junctions

Dag Winkler, T. Claeson, S. Rudner

Published Mar 1, 1985• 3 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We have tested the conversion efficiency of quasi-particle mixers at frequencies close to the superconducting gap frequency. We investigated arrays of aluminum SIS and SIN tunnel junctions at frequencies around 75 GHz and temperatures down to 0.3 K. This frequency corresponds to about 80% of the gap frequency. The experimental conversion loss was large due to severe impedance mismatches. However, we obtained a good agreement (within 1 dB) to the quantum theory of mixing, indicating that nonequilibrium effects do not play a significant role for these low current density junctions.

DOI
10.1109/tmag.1985.1063751

Related papers

High-frequency limits of superconducting tunnel junction mixers

Dag Winkler, T. Claeson

We have investigated high-frequency limits of superconducting quasiparticle mixers from experiments on Al/Al-oxide-In/Al (or Ag) tunnel junctions, and from calculations based on Tucker’s quantum theory of mixing (QTM). The small superconducting energy gap of Al enabled us to study mixer performance at around the junction gap frequency, fg =(Δ1+Δ2)/h≊87 GHz, of superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) mixers, and at twice the junction gap frequency for S-I-normal metal (SIN) mixers ( fg =Δ1/h) with available millimeter wave sources. Because of the low transition temperature of Al (Tc ≊1.3 K), a dilution refrigerator was used for providing temperatures below 1 K. The best mixer conversion efficiency was obtained for a low-resistance (∼34 Ω) six-junction array SIS mixer operated at f/fg ≊1 (in this case 73 GHz). The coupled single sideband conversion gain (with no image rejection) was −13.8 dB and the available conversion gain was estimated to −8.4 dB. Complicating nonequilibrium phenomena made it difficult to compare the performance of these relatively high-current-density mixers to the QTM. However, good agreement between calculated and corresponding measured conversion efficiencies and dynamic resistance values was obtained for the low-current-density mixers. Noise due to switching between rf-induced Josephson steps and interference from Josephson mixing could be quenched by a magnetic field. Several high-frequency limits are considered in this paper (such as Josephson switching noise, nonequilibrium phenomena, pair breaking, and energy gap limitations). Our results indicate that submillimeter wave SIS mixer receivers are likely to perform well, at least up to their gap frequencies, i.e., the THz region for large gap superconductors. Our QTM calculations showed that conversion gain larger than unity should be possible up to twice the gap frequency. Above this frequency the conversion loss will increase rapidly.

Journal of Applied Physics•Dec 1, 1987•35 citations

Arrays of superconducting tunnel junctions as low-noise 10-GHz mixers

S. Rudner, T. Claeson

Quasiparticle mixing (biasing at the gap voltage) was studied in arrays of small Pb-O-Pb tunnel junctions. Coherent mixing at 9 GHz gave a conversion loss as low as −5.8 dB and a single sideband mixer noise temperature of 10–40 K. The optimal conversion efficiency was obtained where the bias current microwave response was maximal. The arrays of junctions were rugged, and gave a good impedance match to external circuitry.

Applied Physics Letters•May 15, 1979•49 citations

Microwave mixing and direct detection using SIS and SIS' quasiparticle tunnel junctions

A. D. Smith, William R. McGrath, P. L. Richards +4 more

Quasiparticle mixers have shown strong quantum effects, conversion gain, and noise levels approaching the quantum limit, but only in tunnel junctions with very low sub-gap "leakage" conductance. It has been suggested that SIS' tunnel junctions, made from two different conductors with unequal gaps, will function as high gain mixers since the dynamic conductance below the gap is negative. We report results of the first SIS' mixing and direct detection experiments. At 36 GHz, a conversion efficiency of -4 dB with a noise temperature of 33 K (SSB) has been obtained. A novel gain mechanism for SIS' direct detectors is predicted. A direct detector responsivity of 250 A/W was measured. We compare our results to quantum theory models. In addition, we demonstrate quasiparticle harmonic mixing of a 36 GHz signal with an 18 GHz local oscillator in tin SIS junctions. Harmonic mixers can have important advantages at high microwave frequencies where insufficient local oscillator power is available.

IEEE Transactions on Magnetics•May 1, 1983•15 citations

Superconductor-insulator-superconductor mixing with arrays at millimeter-wave frequencies

S. Rudner, M. J. Feldman, E. Kollberg +1 more

We report high-frequency mixing at 75 GHz using superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) tunnel junction arrays of various length and composition. Short (6-junction) arrays, both of Pb (In) and of Pb, and long (36-junction) arrays of Pb are used. The array geometry and antenna coupling can be scaled to 300 GHz with existing technology. Comparing the experiments to each other and to theory provides criteria for SIS mixer design. The measured single side band (SSB) conversion loss is as good as 2.0±0.9 dB. This is marginally the best published conversion result for any resistive mixer without image rejection, and quantitatively agrees with the quantum theory of mixing. We examine Josephson effect noise in this device and give a rough upper frequency limit for single-junction SIS mixers. Conversion maxima are also noted close to the half-gap singularity present in Pb (In) junctions.

Journal of Applied Physics•Oct 1, 1981•50 citations

The antenna-coupled SIS quasiparticle array mixer

S. Rudner, M. J. Feldman, E. Kollberg +1 more

We report SIS mixing with Pb(In) junction arrays at 73.5 GHz. The array geometry and antenna coupling can be scaled to 300 GHz with existing technology. The measured SSB conversion loss is as good as 2.0±0.9 dB. This is marginally the best conversion result for a resistive mixer without image rejection yet published and agrees well with the quantum theory of mixing. We examine Josephson effect noise and thereby give a rough upper frequency limit for single-junction SIS mixers.

IEEE Transactions on Magnetics•Jan 1, 1981•27 citations

Frequency dependence of quasiparticle mixers

W. C. Danchi, Edmund C. Sutton

An analysis of the frequency dependence of superconductor-insulator-normal (SIN) and superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) quasiparticle mixers is presented. Power-law expressions for conversion loss and mixer shot-noise temperature for the double-sideband SIN mixer are derived from the Tucker theory for the case of a source conductance which is small compared to the conductance of the junction. For an ideal SIN tunnel junction at T=0 the mixer conversion efficiency is shown to decrease approximately linearly with frequency up to f=Δ/h. From f=Δ/h to 2Δ/h the conversion efficiency remains approximately constant, while above f=2Δ/h it rolls off as the inverse square of the frequency. Expressions for the shot-noise contribution to the mixer noise temperature are also derived. At frequencies up to f=Δ/h the noise temperature rises as the square root of the frequency. From f=Δ/h to f=2Δ/h the noise temperature of the mixer increases linearly with frequency, whereas above f=2Δ/h it rises as the cube of the frequency. Conversion efficiency and noise temperature are also calculated numerically for the SIN mixer. Good agreement is found between the frequency dependencies calculated analytically in the limit of small local oscillator power and the numerical calculations for optimal pumping. The frequency dependence of the nonideal SIS junction is also analyzed, and shown to yield similar results, with the characteristic frequencies Δ/h and 2Δ/h for a SIN mixer transformed into 2Δ/h and 4Δ/h, respectively. Expressions also are derived for the saturation power as a function of frequency.

Journal of Applied Physics•Dec 1, 1986•33 citations
We have tested the conversion efficiency of quasi-particle mixers at frequencies close to the superconducting gap frequency. We investigated arrays of aluminum SIS and SIN tunnel junctions at frequencies around 75 GHz and temperatures down to 0.3 K. This frequency corresponds to about 80% of the gap frequency. The experimental conversion loss was large due to severe impedance mismatches. However, we obtained a good agreement (within 1 dB) to the quantum theory of mixing, indicating that nonequilibrium effects do not play a significant role for these low current density junctions.
We have investigated high-frequency limits of superconducting quasiparticle mixers from experiments on Al/Al-oxide-In/Al (or Ag) tunnel junctions, and from calculations based on Tucker’s quantum theory of mixing (QTM). The small superconducting energy gap of Al enabled us to study mixer performance at around the junction gap frequency, fg =(Δ1+Δ2)/h≊87 GHz, of superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) mixers, and at twice the junction gap frequency for S-I-normal metal (SIN) mixers ( fg =Δ1/h) with available millimeter wave sources. Because of the low transition temperature of Al (Tc ≊1.3 K), a dilution refrigerator was used for providing temperatures below 1 K. The best mixer conversion efficiency was obtained for a low-resistance (∼34 Ω) six-junction array SIS mixer operated at f/fg ≊1 (in this case 73 GHz). The coupled single sideband conversion gain (with no image rejection) was −13.8 dB and the available conversion gain was estimated to −8.4 dB. Complicating nonequilibrium phenomena made it difficult to compare the performance of these relatively high-current-density mixers to the QTM. However, good agreement between calculated and corresponding measured conversion efficiencies and dynamic resistance values was obtained for the low-current-density mixers. Noise due to switching between rf-induced Josephson steps and interference from Josephson mixing could be quenched by a magnetic field. Several high-frequency limits are considered in this paper (such as Josephson switching noise, nonequilibrium phenomena, pair breaking, and energy gap limitations). Our results indicate that submillimeter wave SIS mixer receivers are likely to perform well, at least up to their gap frequencies, i.e., the THz region for large gap superconductors. Our QTM calculations showed that conversion gain larger than unity should be possible up to twice the gap frequency. Above this frequency the conversion loss will increase rapidly.
Quasiparticle mixers have shown strong quantum effects, conversion gain, and noise levels approaching the quantum limit, but only in tunnel junctions with very low sub-gap "leakage" conductance. It has been suggested that SIS' tunnel junctions, made from two different conductors with unequal gaps, will function as high gain mixers since the dynamic conductance below the gap is negative. We report results of the first SIS' mixing and direct detection experiments. At 36 GHz, a conversion efficiency of -4 dB with a noise temperature of 33 K (SSB) has been obtained. A novel gain mechanism for SIS' direct detectors is predicted. A direct detector responsivity of 250 A/W was measured. We compare our results to quantum theory models. In addition, we demonstrate quasiparticle harmonic mixing of a 36 GHz signal with an 18 GHz local oscillator in tin SIS junctions. Harmonic mixers can have important advantages at high microwave frequencies where insufficient local oscillator power is available.
We report high-frequency mixing at 75 GHz using superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) tunnel junction arrays of various length and composition. Short (6-junction) arrays, both of Pb (In) and of Pb, and long (36-junction) arrays of Pb are used. The array geometry and antenna coupling can be scaled to 300 GHz with existing technology. Comparing the experiments to each other and to theory provides criteria for SIS mixer design. The measured single side band (SSB) conversion loss is as good as 2.0±0.9 dB. This is marginally the best published conversion result for any resistive mixer without image rejection, and quantitatively agrees with the quantum theory of mixing. We examine Josephson effect noise in this device and give a rough upper frequency limit for single-junction SIS mixers. Conversion maxima are also noted close to the half-gap singularity present in Pb (In) junctions.
An analysis of the frequency dependence of superconductor-insulator-normal (SIN) and superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) quasiparticle mixers is presented. Power-law expressions for conversion loss and mixer shot-noise temperature for the double-sideband SIN mixer are derived from the Tucker theory for the case of a source conductance which is small compared to the conductance of the junction. For an ideal SIN tunnel junction at T=0 the mixer conversion efficiency is shown to decrease approximately linearly with frequency up to f=Δ/h. From f=Δ/h to 2Δ/h the conversion efficiency remains approximately constant, while above f=2Δ/h it rolls off as the inverse square of the frequency. Expressions for the shot-noise contribution to the mixer noise temperature are also derived. At frequencies up to f=Δ/h the noise temperature rises as the square root of the frequency. From f=Δ/h to f=2Δ/h the noise temperature of the mixer increases linearly with frequency, whereas above f=2Δ/h it rises as the cube of the frequency. Conversion efficiency and noise temperature are also calculated numerically for the SIN mixer. Good agreement is found between the frequency dependencies calculated analytically in the limit of small local oscillator power and the numerical calculations for optimal pumping. The frequency dependence of the nonideal SIS junction is also analyzed, and shown to yield similar results, with the characteristic frequencies Δ/h and 2Δ/h for a SIN mixer transformed into 2Δ/h and 4Δ/h, respectively. Expressions also are derived for the saturation power as a function of frequency.