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Low noise 80–115 GHz quasiparticle mixer with small Nb/Al-Oxide/Nb tunnel junctions

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Abstract

Millimeter-wave characterization of a heterodyne receiver using (2 μm2) Nb/Al-Ox/Nb Superconducting-Insulator-Superconducting (SIS) junctions arrays is reported. The fabrication of the Nb/Al-Ox/Nb SIS junction arrays as a heterodyne mixer is described. The leakage current of these junctions is below 2μA at 4.2K and unmeasurable at 2.5K. The receiver gave a noise temperature Double Side Band (DSB) between 63K and 187K over the frequency range 80 to 115 GHz at the first conversion peak. The results are comparable to those obtained with SIS receivers using well researched lead junctions. Contrary to the lead junctions, our mixer using all Nb junctions have proven remarkably stable with respect to thermal cycling, characteristics which are required for space applications. To our knowledge, this is the most reliable low noise receiver operating in this frequency range.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ecole Normale Supérieure, Radioastronomie, 24 Rue Lhomond, 75231, Paris Cedex 05, France

    P. Feautrier, M. Hanus & P. Encrenaz

  2. Institut de Radio Astronomie Millimétrique, Domaine Universitaire, 300 rue de la Piscine, 38406, St. Martin d'Hères, France

    J. Blondel, J. Y. Chenu & M. Carter

  3. Section de Meudon, Observatoire de Paris, 92195, Meudon Principal Cedex, France

    P. Encrenaz

Authors
  1. P. Feautrier
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  2. J. Blondel
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  3. M. Hanus
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  4. J. Y. Chenu
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  5. P. Encrenaz
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  6. M. Carter
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Feautrier, P., Blondel, J., Hanus, M. et al. Low noise 80–115 GHz quasiparticle mixer with small Nb/Al-Oxide/Nb tunnel junctions. Int J Infrared Milli Waves 11, 189–200 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01010515

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01010515

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