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

International Conference on Submillimeter Waves and Their Applications

Quasiparticle Tunnel Junctions for MM-Wave Detection

K. H. Gundlach, S. Takada, M. Zahn, Hans J. Hartfuss

Published Dec 1, 1981• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The paper describes preparation and properties of Pb/In-oxide-Pb(Bi) tunnel junctions for SIS quasiparticle mixer. The effect of repeated thermal cycling on the junction I-V characteristic has been investigated. The present laboratory model of a 70 GHz heterodyne receiver with these devices has a single sideband conversion efficiency just above the classical limit and a mixer noise temperature well below 100 K.

DOI
10.1109/icswa.1981.9335106

Related papers

Conversion Efficiency and Noise Measurements of SIS Array Mixers

Herman van Kempen, William R. McGrath, P. L. Richards +3 more

Quasiparticle heterodyne mixers which use series arrays [1] of Pb-alloy SIS tunnel junctions have been tested at 36 GHz. These arrays each showed a conversion loss of approximately 5dB. Single-sideband noise temperatures of 9.8 ± 5K, 34 ± 12 K, and 85 ± 25 K were measured for 1, 10 and 50 junction arrays respectively. Significantly increased saturation levels were observed for the 10 and 50 junction arrays.

International Conference on Submillimeter Waves and Their Applications•Dec 1, 1981•3 citations

Quasiparticle heterodyne mixing in SIS tunnel junctions

P. L. Richards, T. M. Shen, R. Harris +1 more

The rapid onset of quasiparticle tunneling current in superconductor-insulator-superconductor (Josephson) junctions at voltages above 2 delta/e is being used for millimeter wave heterodyne mixing. Junctions with 2 micron diameter and RN = 50 ohms have little capacitive shunting at the signal frequency of 36 GHz. Because there is no series resistance, residual capacitance can be tuned out. Single sideband conversion efficiencies of 0.18 and mixer noise temperatures as low as TM approximately 14K have been observed. Both results agree with shot noise limited mixer theory. Photon assisted tunneling effects are seen which indicate the approach to photon noise limited operation. (Author)

STIN•Oct 1, 1978•1 citation

Dayem-Martin (SIS tunnel junction) mixers for low noise heterodyne receivers

Tom G. Phillips, D. P. Woody, G. J. Dolan +2 more

Superconducting thin film tunnel junctions of small area (.1 \rightarrow 1μm2) have properties which make them suitable for high frequency (≳100 GHz) heterodyne receivers. Both pair and single quasiparticle tunneling is present in these devices, but it is found that the mixing due to the pair effect is apparently excessively noisy, whereas the single quasiparticle effect has a low noise character which gives hope for near quantum limited performance. The physical effect involved is photon assisted quasiparticle tunneling and was first observed by Dayem and Martin[1]. We have made laboratory tests at 115 and 230 GHz which gave single side band (SSB) mixer noise temperatures of 60 and 300 K respectively. Also we have fabricated a 90-140 GHz receiver for the Caltech Owens Valley Radio Observatory which has an overall receiver noise temperature of about 300 K (SSB).

IEEE Transactions on Magnetics•Jan 1, 1981•52 citations

Quasiparticle heterodyne mixing in SIS tunnel junctions

P. L. Richards, T. M. Shen, R. Harris +1 more

The rapid onset of quasiparitcle tunneling current in superconductor-insulator-superconductor (Josephson) junctions at voltages above 2Δ/e is being used for millimeter-wave heterodyne mixing. Junctions with a 2-μm diameter and RN=50 Ω have little capacitive shunting at the signal frequency of 36 GHz. Because there is no series resistance, residual capacitance can be tuned out. Double sideband conversion efficiencies of 0.32 and mixer noise temperatures as low as TM⩽7 K=4hν/k have been observed. The results are compared with shot-noise-limited mixer theory. Photon-assisted tunneling effects are seen which indicate the approach to photon-noise-limited operation.

Applied Physics Letters•Mar 1, 1979•164 citations

Conversion gain in mm-wave quasiparticle heterodyne mixers

T. M. Shen, P. L. Richards, R. Harris +1 more

We report the observation of heterodyne mixing in superconductor-insulator-superconductor tunnel junctions with significant conversion gain and with a noise temperature comparable to the photon noise limit. (Double sideband L−1=1.400.14, TM≲1.5 K at 36 GHz.) The mixing arises from the strong nonlinearity in the quasiparticle tunneling currents at voltages comparable to the full energy gap. Gain is observed when the onset of quasiparticle current is sufficiently sharp that quantum effects are important. The observed gain is in good quantitative agreement with calculations based on the work of Tucker. It should make possible the construction of photon-noise-limited microwave heterodyne receivers.

Applied Physics Letters•May 1, 1980•76 citations

Low noise SIS receiver performance using Pb alloy tunnel junctions

Steven R. Davies, Leslie T. Little

A receiver noise temperature of 61 K (DSB) has been measured for a superconductor–insulator–superconductor (SIS) heterodyne receiver operating at 232 GHz, the lowest value reported to date for such a receiver employing a lead alloy junction. Analysis of the losses of the receiver components yields mixer noise temperature and conversion loss, Tm = 24 K and Lm = 2.1 dB (DSB). These are compared with predictions based on 3-port quantum mixer theory, made using the measured characteristics of the junction and an equivalent circuit for the waveguide mixer mount deduced from scaled modelling experiments.

IEE Proceedings - Microwaves Antennas and Propagation•Jan 1, 1998•0 citations
The paper describes preparation and properties of Pb/In-oxide-Pb(Bi) tunnel junctions for SIS quasiparticle mixer. The effect of repeated thermal cycling on the junction I-V characteristic has been investigated. The present laboratory model of a 70 GHz heterodyne receiver with these devices has a single sideband conversion efficiency just above the classical limit and a mixer noise temperature well below 100 K.
The rapid onset of quasiparticle tunneling current in superconductor-insulator-superconductor (Josephson) junctions at voltages above 2 delta/e is being used for millimeter wave heterodyne mixing. Junctions with 2 micron diameter and RN = 50 ohms have little capacitive shunting at the signal frequency of 36 GHz. Because there is no series resistance, residual capacitance can be tuned out. Single sideband conversion efficiencies of 0.18 and mixer noise temperatures as low as TM approximately 14K have been observed. Both results agree with shot noise limited mixer theory. Photon assisted tunneling effects are seen which indicate the approach to photon noise limited operation. (Author)
Superconducting thin film tunnel junctions of small area (.1 \rightarrow 1μm2) have properties which make them suitable for high frequency (≳100 GHz) heterodyne receivers. Both pair and single quasiparticle tunneling is present in these devices, but it is found that the mixing due to the pair effect is apparently excessively noisy, whereas the single quasiparticle effect has a low noise character which gives hope for near quantum limited performance. The physical effect involved is photon assisted quasiparticle tunneling and was first observed by Dayem and Martin[1]. We have made laboratory tests at 115 and 230 GHz which gave single side band (SSB) mixer noise temperatures of 60 and 300 K respectively. Also we have fabricated a 90-140 GHz receiver for the Caltech Owens Valley Radio Observatory which has an overall receiver noise temperature of about 300 K (SSB).
The rapid onset of quasiparitcle tunneling current in superconductor-insulator-superconductor (Josephson) junctions at voltages above 2Δ/e is being used for millimeter-wave heterodyne mixing. Junctions with a 2-μm diameter and RN=50 Ω have little capacitive shunting at the signal frequency of 36 GHz. Because there is no series resistance, residual capacitance can be tuned out. Double sideband conversion efficiencies of 0.32 and mixer noise temperatures as low as TM⩽7 K=4hν/k have been observed. The results are compared with shot-noise-limited mixer theory. Photon-assisted tunneling effects are seen which indicate the approach to photon-noise-limited operation.
We report the observation of heterodyne mixing in superconductor-insulator-superconductor tunnel junctions with significant conversion gain and with a noise temperature comparable to the photon noise limit. (Double sideband L−1=1.400.14, TM≲1.5 K at 36 GHz.) The mixing arises from the strong nonlinearity in the quasiparticle tunneling currents at voltages comparable to the full energy gap. Gain is observed when the onset of quasiparticle current is sufficiently sharp that quantum effects are important. The observed gain is in good quantitative agreement with calculations based on the work of Tucker. It should make possible the construction of photon-noise-limited microwave heterodyne receivers.
A receiver noise temperature of 61 K (DSB) has been measured for a superconductor–insulator–superconductor (SIS) heterodyne receiver operating at 232 GHz, the lowest value reported to date for such a receiver employing a lead alloy junction. Analysis of the losses of the receiver components yields mixer noise temperature and conversion loss, Tm = 24 K and Lm = 2.1 dB (DSB). These are compared with predictions based on 3-port quantum mixer theory, made using the measured characteristics of the junction and an equivalent circuit for the waveguide mixer mount deduced from scaled modelling experiments.