Low noise terahertz MgB2 hot-electron bolometer mixers with an 11 GHz bandwidth

Abstract

Terahertz (THz) hot-electron bolometer mixers reach a unique combination of low noise, wide noise bandwidth, and high operation temperature when 6 nm thick superconducting MgB2 films are used. We obtained a noise bandwidth of 11 GHz with a minimum receiver noise temperature of 930 K with a 1.63 THz Local Oscillator (LO), and a 5 K operation temperature. At 15 K and 20 K, the noise temperature is 1100 K and 1600 K, respectively. From 0.69 THz to 1.63 THz, the receiver noise increases by only 12%. Device current-voltage characteristics are identical when pumped with LOs from 0.69 THz up to 2.56 THz, and match well with IVs at elevated temperatures. Therefore, the effect of the THz waves on the mixer is totally thermal, due to absorption in the π conduction band of MgB2.