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 MTT-S International Microwave Symposium digest

The high-frequency limits of SIS receivers

Jonas Stasys Zmuidzinas

Published May 1, 2015• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

The field of submillimeter-wavelength astronomy is blossoming thanks to major investments such as the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the Herschel Space Telescope. These projects were enabled by the development of very sensitive receivers, especially those using Superconductor-Insulator-Superconductor (SIS) tunnel junction diodes. Here I review some of the challenges that were faced in pushing this technology from its first demonstrations around 100 GHz to its upper frequency limit beyond 1.2 THz.

DOI
10.1109/mwsym.2015.7167149

Related papers

Development of superconducting THz receivers for radio astronomy

Yoshinori Uzawa, Yasunori Fujii, M. Kroug +8 more

A total of 73 dual polarization superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) receivers for the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) have been successfully produced to observe astronomical signals in the 787-950 GHz frequency band. The receivers use two double sideband (DSB) waveguide mixers with Nb/AlOx/Nb tunnel junctions and NbTiN/SiO2/Al microstrip tuning circuits on quartz substrate. The best achieved DSB receiver noise temperature is 125 K, corresponding to about 3 hf/kBfor 4 K operation.

International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves (IRMMW-THz)•Sep 1, 2016•2 citations

THz Range Low-Noise SIS Receivers for Space and Ground-Based Radio Astronomy

Kirill I. Rudakov, Andrey V. Khudchenko, Lyudmila V. Filippenko +5 more

We report on research in the field of low-noise receiving systems in the sub-terahertz (THz) range, carried out in recent years, aimed at developing receivers with quantum sensitivity for implementation in space and ground-based radio telescopes. Superconductor-Insulator-Superconductor (SIS) mixers based on high-quality tunnel junctions are the key elements of the most sensitive sub-THz heterodyne receivers. Motivations and physical background for technology improvement and optimization, as well as fabrication details, are described. This article presents the results of the SIS receiver developments for the 211–275 GHz and 790–950 GHz frequency ranges with a noise temperature in the double sideband (DSB) mode of approximTELY 20 K and 200 K, respectively. These designs and achievements are implemented in the development of the receiving systems for the Russian Space Agency mission “Millimetron”, and for the ground-based APEX (Atacama Pathfinder EXperiment) telescope.

Applied Sciences•Oct 28, 2021•36 citations

Low-noise THz-range Nb based SIS Receivers for Radio Astronomy

Kirill I. Rudakov, Andrey V. Khudchenko, Lyudmila V. Filippenko +4 more

This repost describes our results on development of low-noise heterodyne THz receivers for ground based and space radio astronomy. Superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) mixers that employ high quality Nb-based tunnel junctions are the key element of the most sensitive heterodyne THz receivers. In particular we present here the SIS receivers for frequency range 211-275 GHz and 800-950 GHz with double sideband (DSB) noise temperature of about 25 K and 220 K, respectively. The latest results on development, fabrication techniques and experimental study of the SIS receivers will be discussed.

International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves (IRMMW-THz)•Nov 8, 2020•7 citations

A Very Wide Bandwidth SIS Heterodyne Receiver Design for Millimeter and Submillimeter Astronomy

F. Rice

This text describes in some detail the design and operational history of an instrument used as the front-end receiver for a fast, broadband, high-resolution spectrometer for the 1.3 millimeter wavelength atmospheric window. Using only a single superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) tunnel junction as its heterodyne detector, the receiver’s novel design achieved then unprecedented RF and IF bandwidths and incorporated several innovations which have since been widely adopted within the millimeter and submillimeter wave research communities. Although intended as a relatively simple technology demonstrator and starting point for more refined and sophisticated designs, the receiver turned out to be a useful astronomical instrument in its own right, and it was deployed as a de facto facility instrument for several years at the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory. Also described are the author’s contributions to another important aid to research and design efforts: the SuperMix software library for the analysis and optimization of high-frequency circuitry, especially developed to aid in the design of systems involving SIS and other superconducting elements. Finally, the text may serve as a useful introduction to the theory behind and methodology for modeling and design of SIS heterodyne mixers.

•Sep 18, 2020•0 citations

SIS diodes for radio astronomy

Bertram M. Schwarzschild

As radioastronomers continue to push their observations to shorter wavelengths and fainter signals, their progress is impeded by a lack of sufficiently sensitive millimeter-wave receivers capable of operating at frequencies above 100 GHz. But now a spinoff from Josephson-junction fabrication technology appears to be coming to the rescue. New metallurgical and lithographic techniques developed for Josephson-effect computers are permitting the construction of superconducting diode junctions that promise to function as high-frequency photon detectors and heterodyne mixers near the theoretical limits of sensitivity.

Physics Today•Aug 1, 1980•1 citation

A Submillimeter Wave SIS Receiver for 547 GHz

William R. McGrath, Pascal Febvre, Hamid Javadi +3 more

The most sensitive heterodyne receivers used for millimeter wave and submillimeter wave radioastronomy employ superconductor-insulator-superconductor tunnel junctions as the nonlinear mixing element.

•Mar 30, 1993•4 citations
The field of submillimeter-wavelength astronomy is blossoming thanks to major investments such as the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the Herschel Space Telescope. These projects were enabled by the development of very sensitive receivers, especially those using Superconductor-Insulator-Superconductor (SIS) tunnel junction diodes. Here I review some of the challenges that were faced in pushing this technology from its first demonstrations around 100 GHz to its upper frequency limit beyond 1.2 THz.
A total of 73 dual polarization superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) receivers for the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) have been successfully produced to observe astronomical signals in the 787-950 GHz frequency band. The receivers use two double sideband (DSB) waveguide mixers with Nb/AlOx/Nb tunnel junctions and NbTiN/SiO2/Al microstrip tuning circuits on quartz substrate. The best achieved DSB receiver noise temperature is 125 K, corresponding to about 3 hf/kBfor 4 K operation.
We report on research in the field of low-noise receiving systems in the sub-terahertz (THz) range, carried out in recent years, aimed at developing receivers with quantum sensitivity for implementation in space and ground-based radio telescopes. Superconductor-Insulator-Superconductor (SIS) mixers based on high-quality tunnel junctions are the key elements of the most sensitive sub-THz heterodyne receivers. Motivations and physical background for technology improvement and optimization, as well as fabrication details, are described. This article presents the results of the SIS receiver developments for the 211–275 GHz and 790–950 GHz frequency ranges with a noise temperature in the double sideband (DSB) mode of approximTELY 20 K and 200 K, respectively. These designs and achievements are implemented in the development of the receiving systems for the Russian Space Agency mission “Millimetron”, and for the ground-based APEX (Atacama Pathfinder EXperiment) telescope.
This repost describes our results on development of low-noise heterodyne THz receivers for ground based and space radio astronomy. Superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) mixers that employ high quality Nb-based tunnel junctions are the key element of the most sensitive heterodyne THz receivers. In particular we present here the SIS receivers for frequency range 211-275 GHz and 800-950 GHz with double sideband (DSB) noise temperature of about 25 K and 220 K, respectively. The latest results on development, fabrication techniques and experimental study of the SIS receivers will be discussed.
This text describes in some detail the design and operational history of an instrument used as the front-end receiver for a fast, broadband, high-resolution spectrometer for the 1.3 millimeter wavelength atmospheric window. Using only a single superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) tunnel junction as its heterodyne detector, the receiver’s novel design achieved then unprecedented RF and IF bandwidths and incorporated several innovations which have since been widely adopted within the millimeter and submillimeter wave research communities. Although intended as a relatively simple technology demonstrator and starting point for more refined and sophisticated designs, the receiver turned out to be a useful astronomical instrument in its own right, and it was deployed as a de facto facility instrument for several years at the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory. Also described are the author’s contributions to another important aid to research and design efforts: the SuperMix software library for the analysis and optimization of high-frequency circuitry, especially developed to aid in the design of systems involving SIS and other superconducting elements. Finally, the text may serve as a useful introduction to the theory behind and methodology for modeling and design of SIS heterodyne mixers.
As radioastronomers continue to push their observations to shorter wavelengths and fainter signals, their progress is impeded by a lack of sufficiently sensitive millimeter-wave receivers capable of operating at frequencies above 100 GHz. But now a spinoff from Josephson-junction fabrication technology appears to be coming to the rescue. New metallurgical and lithographic techniques developed for Josephson-effect computers are permitting the construction of superconducting diode junctions that promise to function as high-frequency photon detectors and heterodyne mixers near the theoretical limits of sensitivity.