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Heinz-wilhelm Hübers - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Performance of a compact 557-GHz Heterodyne Receiver front-end
    2013
    Co-Authors: Philipp Neumaier, Heinz-wilhelm Hübers, Heiko Richter, Jan Stake, Huan Zhao, Aik-yean Tang, Vladimir Drakinskiy, Peter Sobis, Tony Pellikka, Anders Emrich
    Abstract:

    Sub-millimetre wave or terahertz Heterodyne Receivers operating above 300 GHz are key instruments for many space applications. For example, they are required for monitoring of the earth’s atmosphere or for detection of molecules that are important for the chemistry other planet’s atmospheres, for example water vapour. Meteorological phenomena, which can be studied at these frequencies, are cloud ice water content, ice particle sizes and distribution, which are important parameters for the hydrological cycle of the climate system and the energy budget of the atmosphere. Existing terahertz Heterodyne Receivers are usually bulky due to complex local oscillator (LO) chains. In a joint effort (project “TeraComp”) [1], we have developed a compact and efficient 557-GHz Heterodyne Receiver front-end with low power consumption and low noise temperature by minimizing the number of components, through integration, in the LO chain. The front-end consists of a low noise subharmonic Schottky diode membrane mixer, a 275 GHz Heterostructure Barrier Varactor frequency tripler, a 92 GHz mHEMT power amplifiers and a 15 to 92 GHz 6x multiplier as part of the LO chain. The Receiver covers the frequency band from 515 to 600 GHz. It has a measured double-sideband noise temperature as low as 1300 K at room temperature, which makes it a sensitive Receiver for applications where cryogenic cooling can’t be used. In this paper, the results of the performance tests will be presented. This includes noise temperature measurements across the Receiver band, Allan-time stability measurements, and beam pattern measurements. Finally we will present the performance of the Receiver when used for molecular spectroscopy of CH3OH with a digital Fast Fourier transform spectrometer as back-end. [1] Terahertz Heterodyne Receiver components for future European space missions (242424) - www.fp7-teracomp.eu

  • Molecular spectroscopy with a compact 557 GHz Heterodyne Receiver
    2013 38th International Conference on Infrared Millimeter and Terahertz Waves (IRMMW-THz), 2013
    Co-Authors: Philipp Neumaier, Heinz-wilhelm Hübers, Heiko Richter, Jan Stake, Huan Zhao, Aik-yean Tang, Vladimir Drakinskiy, Peter Sobis, Tony Pellikka, Anders Emrich
    Abstract:

    In this work the results of spectroscopic and performance measurements with a compact Heterodyne Receiver in the frequency range between 520 and 590 GHz are presented

  • Terahertz Heterodyne Receiver with quantum cascade laser and hot electron bolometer mixer in a pulse tube cooler
    Applied Physics Letters, 2008
    Co-Authors: Heiko Richter, Lukas Mahler, Alessandro Tredicucci, Harvey E. Beere, David A. Ritchie, Alexei Semenov, S G Pavlov, K. Ilin, Michael Siegel, Heinz-wilhelm Hübers
    Abstract:

    A liquid cryogen-free terahertz Heterodyne Receiver in a pulse tube cooler has been realized. The Receiver operates at 2.5 THz. It is based on a quantum cascade laser (QCL) as local oscillator and a hot electron bolometric mixer. A detailed study of the QCL beam quality yielded a beam propagation factor of 1.1–1.2. The double sideband noise temperature of the system is 2000 K and when corrected for optical losses in the signal path it is ∼800 K.

  • Heterodyne Receiver at 2 5 thz with quantum cascade laser and hot electron bolometric mixer
    Proceedings of SPIE, 2006
    Co-Authors: Heinz-wilhelm Hübers, Alexey Semenov, Lukas Mahler, Alessandro Tredicucci, Harvey E. Beere, Heiko Richter, S G Pavlov, David A. Ritchie
    Abstract:

    Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) operating at 2.5 THz have been used for gas phase spectroscopy and as local oscillator in a Heterodyne Receiver. One QCL has a Fabry-Perot resonator while the other has a distributed feedback resonator. The linewidth and frequency tunability of both QCLs have been investigated by either mixing two modes of the QCL or by mixing the emission from the QCL with the emission from a 2.5 THz gas laser. The frequency tunability as well as the linewidth is sufficient for Doppler limited spectroscopy of methanol gas. The QCLs have been used successfully as local oscillators in a Heterodyne Receiver. Noise temperature measurements with a hot electron bolometer and a QCL yielded the same result as with a gas laser as local oscillator.

  • 2.5 THz multipixel Heterodyne Receiver based on NbN HEB mixers
    Millimeter and Submillimeter Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy III, 2006
    Co-Authors: Serguei Cherednichenko, Heinz-wilhelm Hübers, Vladimir Drakinskiy, Jean Baubert, B. Lecomte, Jean-michel Krieg, Yan Delorme, A. Feret, F. Dauplay, A. D. Semenov
    Abstract:

    A 16 pixel Heterodyne Receiver for 2.5 THz has been developed based on NbN superconducting hot-electron bolometer (HEB) mixers. The Receiver uses a quasioptical RF coupling approach where HEB mixers are integrated into double dipole antennas on 1.5μm thick Si 3 N 4 /SiO 2 membranes. Spherical mirrors (one per pixel) and backshort distance from the antenna have been used to design the output mixer beam profile. The camera design allows all 16 pixel IF readout in parallel. The gain bandwidth of the HEB mixers on Si 3 N 4 /SiO 2 membranes was found to be 0.7÷0.9 GHz, which is much smaller than for similar devices on silicon. Application of buffer layers and use of alternative types of membranes (e.g. silicon-on-insulator) is under investigation.

J. R. Gao - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • A 4.7THz Heterodyne Receiver for a balloon borne telescope
    Millimeter Submillimeter and Far-Infrared Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy VII, 2014
    Co-Authors: D. J. Hayton, Y Ren, Jenna Kloosterman, Tsung-yu Kao, J. R. Gao, T. M. Klapwijk, Christopher K. Walker, John L. Reno
    Abstract:

    We report on the performance of a high sensitivity 4.7 THz Heterodyne Receiver based on a NbN hot electron bolometer mixer and a quantum cascade laser (QCL) as local oscillator. The Receiver is developed to observe the astronomically important neutral atomic oxygen [OI] line at 4.7448 THz on a balloon based telescope. The single-line frequency control and improved beam pattern of QCL have taken advantage of a third-order distributed feedback structure. We measured a double sideband Receiver noise temperature (T[subscript rec(DSB)]) of 815 K, which is ~ 7 times the quantum noise limit (hν/2kB). An Allan time of 15 s at an effective noise fluctuation bandwidth of 18 MHz is demonstrated. Heterodyne performance was further supported by a measured methanol line spectrum around 4.7 THz.United States. National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationNational Science Foundation (U.S.

  • a 4 7thz Heterodyne Receiver for a balloon borne telescope
    Proceedings of SPIE, 2014
    Co-Authors: D. J. Hayton, Y Ren, Jenna Kloosterman, Tsung-yu Kao, J. R. Gao, T. M. Klapwijk, Christopher K. Walker, John L. Reno
    Abstract:

    We report on the performance of a high sensitivity 4.7 THz Heterodyne Receiver based on a NbN hot electron bolometer mixer and a quantum cascade laser (QCL) as local oscillator. The Receiver is developed to observe the astronomically important neutral atomic oxygen [OI] line at 4.7448 THz on a balloon based telescope. The single-line frequency control and improved beam pattern of QCL have taken advantage of a third-order distributed feedback structure. We measured a double sideband Receiver noise temperature (Trec(DSB)) of 815 K, which is ~ 7 times the quantum noise limit (hν/2kB). An Allan time of 15 s at an effective noise fluctuation bandwidth of 18 MHz is demonstrated. Heterodyne performance was further supported by a measured methanol line spectrum around 4.7 THz.

  • Hot electron bolometer Heterodyne Receiver with a 4.7-THz quantum cascade laser as a local oscillator
    Applied Physics Letters, 2013
    Co-Authors: Jenna Kloosterman, D. J. Hayton, Tsung-yu Kao, J. R. Gao, T. M. Klapwijk, Christopher K. Walker, J. N. Hovenier, Y. Ren, John L. Reno
    Abstract:

    We report on a Heterodyne Receiver designed to observe the astrophysically important neutral atomic oxygen [OI] line at 4.7448 THz. The local oscillator is a third-order distributed feedback Quantum Cascade Laser operating in continuous wave mode at 4.741 THz. A quasi-optical, superconducting NbN hot electron bolometer is used as the mixer. We recorded a double sideband Receiver noise temperature (T^DSB_rec) of 815 K, which is ~7 times the quantum noise limit (h{\nu}/2k_B) and an Allan variance time of 15 s at an effective noise fluctuation bandwidth of 18 MHz. Heterodyne performance was confirmed by measuring a methanol line spectrum.

  • hot electron bolometer Heterodyne Receiver with a 4 7 thz quantum cascade laser as a local oscillator
    Applied Physics Letters, 2013
    Co-Authors: Jenna Kloosterman, D. J. Hayton, Tsung-yu Kao, J. R. Gao, T. M. Klapwijk, Christopher K. Walker, J. N. Hovenier, Y. Ren, John L. Reno
    Abstract:

    We report on a Heterodyne Receiver designed to observe the astrophysically important neutral atomic oxygen [OI] line at 4.7448 THz. The local oscillator is a third-order distributed feedback quantum cascade laser operating in continuous wave mode at 4.741 THz. A quasi-optical, superconducting NbN hot electron bolometer is used as the mixer. We recorded a double sideband Receiver noise temperature (T-rec(DSB)) of 815 K, which is similar to 7 times the quantum noise limit (hv/2k(B)) and an Allan variance time of 15 s at an effective noise fluctuation bandwidth of 18 MHz. Heterodyne performance was confirmed by measuring a methanol line spectrum. (C) 2013 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4774085]

  • Terahertz Heterodyne Receiver based on a quantum cascade laser and a superconducting bolometer
    Applied Physics Letters, 2005
    Co-Authors: J. R. Gao, T. M. Klapwijk, J. N. Hovenier, Z. Q. Yang, Jochem J. A. Baselmans, Andrey M. Baryshev, M. Hajenius, Aurèle J. L. Adam, Tjeerd O. Klaassen, Benjamin S. Williams
    Abstract:

    We report the first demonstration of an all solid-state Heterodyne Receiver that can be used for high-resolution spectroscopy above 2?THz suitable for space-based observatories. The Receiver uses a NbN superconducting hot-electron bolometer as mixer and a quantum cascade laser operating at 2.8?THz as local oscillator. We measure a double sideband Receiver noise temperature of 1400?K at 2.8?THz and 4.2?K, and find that the free-running QCL has sufficient power stability for a practical Receiver, demonstrating an unprecedented combination of sensitivity and stability

David A. Ritchie - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Development of a THz Heterodyne Receiver with quantum cascade laser and hot electron bolometer mixer for standoff detection of explosive material
    Terahertz Physics Devices and Systems III: Advanced Applications in Industry and Defense, 2009
    Co-Authors: Heiko Richter, Lukas Mahler, Alessandro Tredicucci, Harvey E. Beere, David A. Ritchie, A. D. Semenov, S G Pavlov, Michele Ortolani, Ulrich Schade, K. Ilin
    Abstract:

    The terahertz (THz) portion of the electromagnetic spectrum provides specific spectroscopic information for substance identification. It has been shown that the spectral features of explosive materials might be used for detection and identification at stand-off distances. We report on the development of a THz spectrometer for explosive detection and identification. The system is based on THz quantum cascade lasers working at different frequencies. These are used for illumination of the object under test. The reflected and backscattered radiation from the object under test is detected with a sensitive Heterodyne Receiver. As a first step a single frequency, liquid-cryogen free Heterodyne Receiver operating at 2.5 THz has been developed. In order to realize maximum sensitivity a phonon-cooled NbN hot electron bolometric mixer with a quantum cascade laser as local oscillator were chosen. The concept of the system and first results will be presented

  • Terahertz Heterodyne Receiver with quantum cascade laser and hot electron bolometer mixer in a pulse tube cooler
    Applied Physics Letters, 2008
    Co-Authors: Heiko Richter, Lukas Mahler, Alessandro Tredicucci, Harvey E. Beere, David A. Ritchie, Alexei Semenov, S G Pavlov, K. Ilin, Michael Siegel, Heinz-wilhelm Hübers
    Abstract:

    A liquid cryogen-free terahertz Heterodyne Receiver in a pulse tube cooler has been realized. The Receiver operates at 2.5 THz. It is based on a quantum cascade laser (QCL) as local oscillator and a hot electron bolometric mixer. A detailed study of the QCL beam quality yielded a beam propagation factor of 1.1–1.2. The double sideband noise temperature of the system is 2000 K and when corrected for optical losses in the signal path it is ∼800 K.

  • Progress towards a 2.5-THz solid state Heterodyne Receiver with quantum cascade laser and hot electron bolometric mixer
    2008 33rd International Conference on Infrared Millimeter and Terahertz Waves, 2008
    Co-Authors: H.-w. Hübers, Lukas Mahler, Alessandro Tredicucci, Harvey E. Beere, David A. Ritchie, Heiko Richter, A. D. Semenov, S G Pavlov, K. Ilin, Michael Siegel
    Abstract:

    We report on progress towards a solid state 2.5-THz Heterodyne Receiver. The front-end of the Receiver is integrated in a pulse tube cooler. It consists of a quantum cascade laser (QCL) as local oscillator and a phonon-cooled NbN hot electron bolometric mixer. The QCL is mounted on the first stage of the PTC and operates at a temperature of about 45 K while the HEB is mounted on the second stage of the PTC (temperature ~5 K). Design and performance of the Receiver will be reported.

  • Heterodyne Receiver at 2 5 thz with quantum cascade laser and hot electron bolometric mixer
    Proceedings of SPIE, 2006
    Co-Authors: Heinz-wilhelm Hübers, Alexey Semenov, Lukas Mahler, Alessandro Tredicucci, Harvey E. Beere, Heiko Richter, S G Pavlov, David A. Ritchie
    Abstract:

    Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) operating at 2.5 THz have been used for gas phase spectroscopy and as local oscillator in a Heterodyne Receiver. One QCL has a Fabry-Perot resonator while the other has a distributed feedback resonator. The linewidth and frequency tunability of both QCLs have been investigated by either mixing two modes of the QCL or by mixing the emission from the QCL with the emission from a 2.5 THz gas laser. The frequency tunability as well as the linewidth is sufficient for Doppler limited spectroscopy of methanol gas. The QCLs have been used successfully as local oscillators in a Heterodyne Receiver. Noise temperature measurements with a hot electron bolometer and a QCL yielded the same result as with a gas laser as local oscillator.

  • Terahertz quantum cascade laser as local oscillator in a Heterodyne Receiver
    Optics Express, 2005
    Co-Authors: Heinz-wilhelm Hübers, Sergey Pavlov, Alexey Semenov, R. Kohler, Lukas Mahler, Alessandro Tredicucci, Harvey E. Beere, David A. Ritchie, Edmund H. Linfield
    Abstract:

    Terahertz quantum cascade lasers have been investigated with respect to their performance as a local oscillator in a Heterodyne Receiver. The beam profile has been measured and transformed in to a close to Gaussian profile resulting in a good matching between the field patterns of the quantum cascade laser and the antenna of a superconducting hot electron bolometric mixer. Noise temperature measurements with the hot electron bolometer and a 2.5 THz quantum cascade laser yielded the same result as with a gas laser as local oscillator.

Heiko Richter - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Performance of a compact 557-GHz Heterodyne Receiver front-end
    2013
    Co-Authors: Philipp Neumaier, Heinz-wilhelm Hübers, Heiko Richter, Jan Stake, Huan Zhao, Aik-yean Tang, Vladimir Drakinskiy, Peter Sobis, Tony Pellikka, Anders Emrich
    Abstract:

    Sub-millimetre wave or terahertz Heterodyne Receivers operating above 300 GHz are key instruments for many space applications. For example, they are required for monitoring of the earth’s atmosphere or for detection of molecules that are important for the chemistry other planet’s atmospheres, for example water vapour. Meteorological phenomena, which can be studied at these frequencies, are cloud ice water content, ice particle sizes and distribution, which are important parameters for the hydrological cycle of the climate system and the energy budget of the atmosphere. Existing terahertz Heterodyne Receivers are usually bulky due to complex local oscillator (LO) chains. In a joint effort (project “TeraComp”) [1], we have developed a compact and efficient 557-GHz Heterodyne Receiver front-end with low power consumption and low noise temperature by minimizing the number of components, through integration, in the LO chain. The front-end consists of a low noise subharmonic Schottky diode membrane mixer, a 275 GHz Heterostructure Barrier Varactor frequency tripler, a 92 GHz mHEMT power amplifiers and a 15 to 92 GHz 6x multiplier as part of the LO chain. The Receiver covers the frequency band from 515 to 600 GHz. It has a measured double-sideband noise temperature as low as 1300 K at room temperature, which makes it a sensitive Receiver for applications where cryogenic cooling can’t be used. In this paper, the results of the performance tests will be presented. This includes noise temperature measurements across the Receiver band, Allan-time stability measurements, and beam pattern measurements. Finally we will present the performance of the Receiver when used for molecular spectroscopy of CH3OH with a digital Fast Fourier transform spectrometer as back-end. [1] Terahertz Heterodyne Receiver components for future European space missions (242424) - www.fp7-teracomp.eu

  • Molecular spectroscopy with a compact 557 GHz Heterodyne Receiver
    2013 38th International Conference on Infrared Millimeter and Terahertz Waves (IRMMW-THz), 2013
    Co-Authors: Philipp Neumaier, Heinz-wilhelm Hübers, Heiko Richter, Jan Stake, Huan Zhao, Aik-yean Tang, Vladimir Drakinskiy, Peter Sobis, Tony Pellikka, Anders Emrich
    Abstract:

    In this work the results of spectroscopic and performance measurements with a compact Heterodyne Receiver in the frequency range between 520 and 590 GHz are presented

  • Development of a THz Heterodyne Receiver with quantum cascade laser and hot electron bolometer mixer for standoff detection of explosive material
    Terahertz Physics Devices and Systems III: Advanced Applications in Industry and Defense, 2009
    Co-Authors: Heiko Richter, Lukas Mahler, Alessandro Tredicucci, Harvey E. Beere, David A. Ritchie, A. D. Semenov, S G Pavlov, Michele Ortolani, Ulrich Schade, K. Ilin
    Abstract:

    The terahertz (THz) portion of the electromagnetic spectrum provides specific spectroscopic information for substance identification. It has been shown that the spectral features of explosive materials might be used for detection and identification at stand-off distances. We report on the development of a THz spectrometer for explosive detection and identification. The system is based on THz quantum cascade lasers working at different frequencies. These are used for illumination of the object under test. The reflected and backscattered radiation from the object under test is detected with a sensitive Heterodyne Receiver. As a first step a single frequency, liquid-cryogen free Heterodyne Receiver operating at 2.5 THz has been developed. In order to realize maximum sensitivity a phonon-cooled NbN hot electron bolometric mixer with a quantum cascade laser as local oscillator were chosen. The concept of the system and first results will be presented

  • Terahertz Heterodyne Receiver with quantum cascade laser and hot electron bolometer mixer in a pulse tube cooler
    Applied Physics Letters, 2008
    Co-Authors: Heiko Richter, Lukas Mahler, Alessandro Tredicucci, Harvey E. Beere, David A. Ritchie, Alexei Semenov, S G Pavlov, K. Ilin, Michael Siegel, Heinz-wilhelm Hübers
    Abstract:

    A liquid cryogen-free terahertz Heterodyne Receiver in a pulse tube cooler has been realized. The Receiver operates at 2.5 THz. It is based on a quantum cascade laser (QCL) as local oscillator and a hot electron bolometric mixer. A detailed study of the QCL beam quality yielded a beam propagation factor of 1.1–1.2. The double sideband noise temperature of the system is 2000 K and when corrected for optical losses in the signal path it is ∼800 K.

  • Progress towards a 2.5-THz solid state Heterodyne Receiver with quantum cascade laser and hot electron bolometric mixer
    2008 33rd International Conference on Infrared Millimeter and Terahertz Waves, 2008
    Co-Authors: H.-w. Hübers, Lukas Mahler, Alessandro Tredicucci, Harvey E. Beere, David A. Ritchie, Heiko Richter, A. D. Semenov, S G Pavlov, K. Ilin, Michael Siegel
    Abstract:

    We report on progress towards a solid state 2.5-THz Heterodyne Receiver. The front-end of the Receiver is integrated in a pulse tube cooler. It consists of a quantum cascade laser (QCL) as local oscillator and a phonon-cooled NbN hot electron bolometric mixer. The QCL is mounted on the first stage of the PTC and operates at a temperature of about 45 K while the HEB is mounted on the second stage of the PTC (temperature ~5 K). Design and performance of the Receiver will be reported.

J. N. Hovenier - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Hot electron bolometer Heterodyne Receiver with a 4.7-THz quantum cascade laser as a local oscillator
    Applied Physics Letters, 2013
    Co-Authors: Jenna Kloosterman, D. J. Hayton, Tsung-yu Kao, J. R. Gao, T. M. Klapwijk, Christopher K. Walker, J. N. Hovenier, Y. Ren, John L. Reno
    Abstract:

    We report on a Heterodyne Receiver designed to observe the astrophysically important neutral atomic oxygen [OI] line at 4.7448 THz. The local oscillator is a third-order distributed feedback Quantum Cascade Laser operating in continuous wave mode at 4.741 THz. A quasi-optical, superconducting NbN hot electron bolometer is used as the mixer. We recorded a double sideband Receiver noise temperature (T^DSB_rec) of 815 K, which is ~7 times the quantum noise limit (h{\nu}/2k_B) and an Allan variance time of 15 s at an effective noise fluctuation bandwidth of 18 MHz. Heterodyne performance was confirmed by measuring a methanol line spectrum.

  • hot electron bolometer Heterodyne Receiver with a 4 7 thz quantum cascade laser as a local oscillator
    Applied Physics Letters, 2013
    Co-Authors: Jenna Kloosterman, D. J. Hayton, Tsung-yu Kao, J. R. Gao, T. M. Klapwijk, Christopher K. Walker, J. N. Hovenier, Y. Ren, John L. Reno
    Abstract:

    We report on a Heterodyne Receiver designed to observe the astrophysically important neutral atomic oxygen [OI] line at 4.7448 THz. The local oscillator is a third-order distributed feedback quantum cascade laser operating in continuous wave mode at 4.741 THz. A quasi-optical, superconducting NbN hot electron bolometer is used as the mixer. We recorded a double sideband Receiver noise temperature (T-rec(DSB)) of 815 K, which is similar to 7 times the quantum noise limit (hv/2k(B)) and an Allan variance time of 15 s at an effective noise fluctuation bandwidth of 18 MHz. Heterodyne performance was confirmed by measuring a methanol line spectrum. (C) 2013 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4774085]

  • Terahertz Heterodyne Receiver based on a quantum cascade laser and a superconducting bolometer
    Applied Physics Letters, 2005
    Co-Authors: J. R. Gao, T. M. Klapwijk, J. N. Hovenier, Z. Q. Yang, Jochem J. A. Baselmans, Andrey M. Baryshev, M. Hajenius, Aurèle J. L. Adam, Tjeerd O. Klaassen, Benjamin S. Williams
    Abstract:

    We report the first demonstration of an all solid-state Heterodyne Receiver that can be used for high-resolution spectroscopy above 2?THz suitable for space-based observatories. The Receiver uses a NbN superconducting hot-electron bolometer as mixer and a quantum cascade laser operating at 2.8?THz as local oscillator. We measure a double sideband Receiver noise temperature of 1400?K at 2.8?THz and 4.2?K, and find that the free-running QCL has sufficient power stability for a practical Receiver, demonstrating an unprecedented combination of sensitivity and stability

  • Compact Heterodyne Receiver at 2.8 THz based on a quantum cascade laser and a superconducting bolometer
    2005 Joint 30th International Conference on Infrared and Millimeter Waves and 13th International Conference on Terahertz Electronics, 1
    Co-Authors: Z. Q. Yang, A J L Adam, T. M. Klapwijk, J. N. Hovenier, Jochem J. A. Baselmans, Andrey M. Baryshev, M. Hajenius, Tjeerd O. Klaassen, J. R. Gao, Benjamin S. Williams
    Abstract:

    We report here a sensitivity measurement of an all solid-state Heterodyne Receiver which uses a twin slot antenna coupled, small superconducting NbN hot electron bolometer as mixer and a semiconductor quantum cascade laser operating at 2.8 THz as local oscillator. We measure a double sideband Receiver noise temperature of 3200 K at 2.8 THz and 4.2 K. We find that the optimal LO power is 33 nW measured at HEB and 1.3 /spl mu/W estimated at the QCL, much lower than the output power of the QCL. Such a Receiver can be used for high-resolution spectroscopy above 2 THz and is particularly suitable for space-based observatories.