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 Applied Superconductivity

30 THz mixing experiments on high temperature superconducting Josephson junctions

Erich N. Grossman, Leila R. Vale, David A. Rudman, K. M. Evenson, Lyndon R. Zink

Published Jun 1, 1995• 12 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We have investigated YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-/spl delta// superconductor-normal-superconductor Josephson junctions as mixers of 30 THz radiation. We have directly observed (2nd order) difference frequencies from 10 MHz to 12.8 GHz between two CO/sub 2/ laser lines. Applying a third microwave signal to the junction, we have observed CO/sub 2/ laser difference frequencies up to 27 GHz. The d.c. bias dependence of the difference frequency signal, as well as other evidence, suggests two distinct mixing mechanisms: hot-electron mixing in the junction banks at high d.c. biases, and bolometric Josephson mixing at low d.c. biases. The latter is the first observation of Josephson mixing at CO/sub 2/ laser frequencies in high-T/sub c/ junctions. The Josephson mixing has generated observable mixing products up to 6th order.>

DOI
10.1109/77.403238

Related papers

High order harmonic mixing up to 2.5 THz using thin film Josephson tunnel junctions

M. C. Wicks

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.

International Conference on Infrared, Millimeter, and Terahertz Waves (IRMMW-THz)•Oct 1, 1991•0 citations

The Josephson junction as a mixer-multiplier for the centimeter and millimeter wave bands

M. V. Danileǐko, V. E. Derkach, A. M. Kostyshin +2 more

Recently there has been a marked upsurge in interest in the construction of multipliers and mixers for the SHF and IR regions. Of special interest in this respect are Josephson junctions fabricated from high-temperature superconductors. The present paper reports the results of experimental investigations of superconducting point junctions (SPJ) fabricated from the high-temperature superconductor Nb3Sn, and operating in regimes of frequency multiplication and mixing in the SHF spectral region. A controllable Nb3Sn Nb3 Sn SPJ that could be adjusted after being immersed in liquid helium was used in the experiments. The method of preparation of the SPJ was the same as the one that was employed in Ref. 1. The assembled experimental setup allowed the SPJ to be irradiated with three-centimeter and four-millimeter microwaves separately and simultaneously. The current-voltage characteristics (CVO) of the (tuned) SPJ were registered on an oscillograph and then recorded automatically at different DHF-power levels. The differential resistance RD = dU/dl of the junction as a function of mixing voltage UO was recorded with the aid of a lock-in amplifier2 co nstructed by us. All the measurements were carried out at the liquid-helium temperature. The SPJ in question had the following parameters: the critical current Ic = 0.1–2.5 rnA and the resistance in the normal state Rn = 0.1–10 Ω. When the SPJ was subjected to 8.9- and 87-GHz radiation separately, the CVC exhibited current steps at voltages corresponding to the fundamental frequency and the harmonics of the external radiation, as well as a sub harmonic structure. The multiplication of the fundamental frequency to 1 THz was recorded in the case of the irradiation of the SPJ by an 8.9–GHz signal and the registration of the dependence of RD on the mixing voltage U0. This differential CVC exhibited a subharmonic structure near the fundamental frequency at low SHF-power levels and near this frequency and its harmonics at higher levels. When the SPJ was irradiated by 87-GHz signals, the multiplication of the fundamental frequency of the signals to 2.2 THz was recorded on the differential CVC. The SHF-power dependence of the harmonics and subharmonics had an oscillatory character. The mechanism underlying the formation of the sub harmonic structure on the CVC of the SPJ can be explained if we take account of the effect of the action of the Josephson self-radiation on the junction itself.3 It should be noted that the manifestation of the Josephson properties in the frequency range ∼1 · 1012 Hz was observed for a SPJ with high Ic and Rn ⩾ 1 Ω. When the Nb3Sn–Nb3Sn SPJ was irradiated by two signals with frequencies 87 and 8.9 GHz simultaneously, there appeared near the steps for the 87-GHz signal , as the power of the 8.9-GHz signal was increased, steps corresponding to signals with frequencies equal to combinations of the two frequencies, i.e., (87m ± 8.9k)-Ghz combination steps appeared on the eve. Thus, the first experimental investigations of the multiplication and mixing of signals by Nb3Sn-Nb3Sn SPJ have shown that such SPJ operate quite well in regimes of mixing and multiplication of external SHF radiation.

Soviet Journal of Low Temperature Physics•Jun 1, 1980•0 citations

Response properties at 2.525 terahertz using high-T/sub c/ Josephson junctions on silicon bicrystal substrates

J. Chen, E. Kobayashi, Koji Nakajima +4 more

Using high-T/sub c/ grain boundary Josephson junctions (GBJJs) made of YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-/spl delta// deposited across silicon bicrystal boundary, we successfully demonstrated direct response at frequency as high as 2.525 THz and the operation temperature up to 70 K. Also, the effects of response on polarization of electromagnetic waves and the harmonic mixing properties are investigated. It is found that there is no polarization dependence of the response for our high-quality GBJJs. This result is favorable to the spectroscopy application. At frequency as high as 2.525 THz, the high-order harmonic mixing at zero and finite bias voltage has been demonstrated.

IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity•Jun 1, 1999•8 citations

Fabrication of high-T/sub c/ hot-electron bolometric mixers for terahertz applications

Michael J. Burns, Alan W. Kleinsasser, K. A. Delin +4 more

Superconducting hot-electron bolometers (HEB) represent a promising candidate for heterodyne mixing at frequencies exceeding 1 THz. Nb HEB mixers offer performance competitive with tunnel junctions without the frequency limit imposed by the superconducting energy gap. Although the performance of YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-/spl delta// HEB mixers is not projected to be superior to that of Nb devices, which operate at low temperatures, they introduce the possibility of sensitive, low power heterodyne detectors operating at temperatures approaching 90 K for applications requiring portability and closed-cycle refrigeration. We report on the fabrication and characterization, both DC and RF, of high-T/sub c/ mixers based on ultra-thin (/spl les/20 nm) YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-/spl delta// films patterned to micrometer dimensions and incorporated into 2.5 THz planar mixer circuits.

IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity•Jun 1, 1997•11 citations

MIXING EXPERIMENTS AT W-BAND USING HIGH-TC JOSEPHSON JUNCTIONS

Oliver Harnack, Marian Darula, S. Beuven +1 more

We report on the mixing properties of high-T, superconductor (HTS) Josephson junctions. Direct radiation and heterodyne mixing experiments in the frequency range 78 GHz-119 GHz have been performed using YBa 2Cu30 7_ x (YBCO) step-edge junctions (SEJ) and bicrystal junctions (BO) on LaA10 3 and MgO substrates. Under external radiation our junctions showed harmonic phase synchronization (Shapiro steps) up to 1.88 THz. Junctions with current voltage characteristics (PVC) dose to predictions of the resistively shunted junction model (RSJ) were mounted into a heterodyne mixing setup. Under the radiation of two monochromatic signals we obtained conversion efficiencies around -14 dB in the 11 GHz intermediate frequency (IF) band. In the fundamental mixing regime we observed response at IF at working temperatures up to 72K. We demonstrated the operation of HTS Josephson junctions in the self-mixing mode. The experimental results are in good agreement with simulations using the RSJ model.

•Jan 1, 1997•0 citations

Harmonic generation and mixing in high-T/sub c/ Josephson junctions with terahertz bandwidth

Erich N. Grossman, Leila R. Vale, Lyndon R. Zink +1 more

Recently, we have developed step-edge YBCO Josephson junctions with characteristic frequencies f/sub c/=(2e/h)(I/sub c/R/sub n/) of up to 5 THz (where I/sub c/ and R/sub n/ are the junction's critical current and normal-state resistance). Our project's overall aim is to explore the capabilities of these junctions for several types of frequency translation, utilizing the junction's ability to support very high frequency currents. These include high bandwidth mixing at CO/sub 2/ laser (30 THz) and visible frequencies, low noise mixing at THz frequencies, and harmonic mixing from mm-wave up to THz frequencies.

Joint Conference of the European Frequency and Time Forum and IEEE International Frequency Control Symposium (EFTF/IFCS)•Nov 19, 2002•0 citations
We have investigated YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-/spl delta// superconductor-normal-superconductor Josephson junctions as mixers of 30 THz radiation. We have directly observed (2nd order) difference frequencies from 10 MHz to 12.8 GHz between two CO/sub 2/ laser lines. Applying a third microwave signal to the junction, we have observed CO/sub 2/ laser difference frequencies up to 27 GHz. The d.c. bias dependence of the difference frequency signal, as well as other evidence, suggests two distinct mixing mechanisms: hot-electron mixing in the junction banks at high d.c. biases, and bolometric Josephson mixing at low d.c. biases. The latter is the first observation of Josephson mixing at CO/sub 2/ laser frequencies in high-T/sub c/ junctions. The Josephson mixing has generated observable mixing products up to 6th order.>
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.
Recently there has been a marked upsurge in interest in the construction of multipliers and mixers for the SHF and IR regions. Of special interest in this respect are Josephson junctions fabricated from high-temperature superconductors. The present paper reports the results of experimental investigations of superconducting point junctions (SPJ) fabricated from the high-temperature superconductor Nb3Sn, and operating in regimes of frequency multiplication and mixing in the SHF spectral region. A controllable Nb3Sn Nb3 Sn SPJ that could be adjusted after being immersed in liquid helium was used in the experiments. The method of preparation of the SPJ was the same as the one that was employed in Ref. 1. The assembled experimental setup allowed the SPJ to be irradiated with three-centimeter and four-millimeter microwaves separately and simultaneously. The current-voltage characteristics (CVO) of the (tuned) SPJ were registered on an oscillograph and then recorded automatically at different DHF-power levels. The differential resistance RD = dU/dl of the junction as a function of mixing voltage UO was recorded with the aid of a lock-in amplifier2 co nstructed by us. All the measurements were carried out at the liquid-helium temperature. The SPJ in question had the following parameters: the critical current Ic = 0.1–2.5 rnA and the resistance in the normal state Rn = 0.1–10 Ω. When the SPJ was subjected to 8.9- and 87-GHz radiation separately, the CVC exhibited current steps at voltages corresponding to the fundamental frequency and the harmonics of the external radiation, as well as a sub harmonic structure. The multiplication of the fundamental frequency to 1 THz was recorded in the case of the irradiation of the SPJ by an 8.9–GHz signal and the registration of the dependence of RD on the mixing voltage U0. This differential CVC exhibited a subharmonic structure near the fundamental frequency at low SHF-power levels and near this frequency and its harmonics at higher levels. When the SPJ was irradiated by 87-GHz signals, the multiplication of the fundamental frequency of the signals to 2.2 THz was recorded on the differential CVC. The SHF-power dependence of the harmonics and subharmonics had an oscillatory character. The mechanism underlying the formation of the sub harmonic structure on the CVC of the SPJ can be explained if we take account of the effect of the action of the Josephson self-radiation on the junction itself.3 It should be noted that the manifestation of the Josephson properties in the frequency range ∼1 · 1012 Hz was observed for a SPJ with high Ic and Rn ⩾ 1 Ω. When the Nb3Sn–Nb3Sn SPJ was irradiated by two signals with frequencies 87 and 8.9 GHz simultaneously, there appeared near the steps for the 87-GHz signal , as the power of the 8.9-GHz signal was increased, steps corresponding to signals with frequencies equal to combinations of the two frequencies, i.e., (87m ± 8.9k)-Ghz combination steps appeared on the eve. Thus, the first experimental investigations of the multiplication and mixing of signals by Nb3Sn-Nb3Sn SPJ have shown that such SPJ operate quite well in regimes of mixing and multiplication of external SHF radiation.
Using high-T/sub c/ grain boundary Josephson junctions (GBJJs) made of YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-/spl delta// deposited across silicon bicrystal boundary, we successfully demonstrated direct response at frequency as high as 2.525 THz and the operation temperature up to 70 K. Also, the effects of response on polarization of electromagnetic waves and the harmonic mixing properties are investigated. It is found that there is no polarization dependence of the response for our high-quality GBJJs. This result is favorable to the spectroscopy application. At frequency as high as 2.525 THz, the high-order harmonic mixing at zero and finite bias voltage has been demonstrated.
Superconducting hot-electron bolometers (HEB) represent a promising candidate for heterodyne mixing at frequencies exceeding 1 THz. Nb HEB mixers offer performance competitive with tunnel junctions without the frequency limit imposed by the superconducting energy gap. Although the performance of YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-/spl delta// HEB mixers is not projected to be superior to that of Nb devices, which operate at low temperatures, they introduce the possibility of sensitive, low power heterodyne detectors operating at temperatures approaching 90 K for applications requiring portability and closed-cycle refrigeration. We report on the fabrication and characterization, both DC and RF, of high-T/sub c/ mixers based on ultra-thin (/spl les/20 nm) YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-/spl delta// films patterned to micrometer dimensions and incorporated into 2.5 THz planar mixer circuits.
We report on the mixing properties of high-T, superconductor (HTS) Josephson junctions. Direct radiation and heterodyne mixing experiments in the frequency range 78 GHz-119 GHz have been performed using YBa 2Cu30 7_ x (YBCO) step-edge junctions (SEJ) and bicrystal junctions (BO) on LaA10 3 and MgO substrates. Under external radiation our junctions showed harmonic phase synchronization (Shapiro steps) up to 1.88 THz. Junctions with current voltage characteristics (PVC) dose to predictions of the resistively shunted junction model (RSJ) were mounted into a heterodyne mixing setup. Under the radiation of two monochromatic signals we obtained conversion efficiencies around -14 dB in the 11 GHz intermediate frequency (IF) band. In the fundamental mixing regime we observed response at IF at working temperatures up to 72K. We demonstrated the operation of HTS Josephson junctions in the self-mixing mode. The experimental results are in good agreement with simulations using the RSJ model.
Recently, we have developed step-edge YBCO Josephson junctions with characteristic frequencies f/sub c/=(2e/h)(I/sub c/R/sub n/) of up to 5 THz (where I/sub c/ and R/sub n/ are the junction's critical current and normal-state resistance). Our project's overall aim is to explore the capabilities of these junctions for several types of frequency translation, utilizing the junction's ability to support very high frequency currents. These include high bandwidth mixing at CO/sub 2/ laser (30 THz) and visible frequencies, low noise mixing at THz frequencies, and harmonic mixing from mm-wave up to THz frequencies.