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A broadband detector based on series YBCO grain boundary Josephson junctions
Egor I Glushkov1,2, Alexander V Chiginev1,2, Leonid S Kuzmin2,3
1Institute for Physics of Microstructures of RAS, GSP-105, Nizhny Novgorod, 603950, Russia.
Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology
|April 15, 2022
Summary
This study models a broadband receiving system using Josephson junctions in a log-periodic antenna. The research optimizes the number of junctions to achieve a lower noise-equivalent power (NEP) for improved detector performance.
Area of Science:
- Applied Physics
- Superconducting Electronics
- Electromagnetics
Background:
- Josephson junctions, particularly those made from Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide (YBaCuO), are crucial for sensitive detectors.
- Integrating these junctions into antenna structures like log-periodic antennas can enhance broadband reception capabilities.
- Understanding the electromagnetic properties and DC characteristics of such integrated systems is key to optimizing detector performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model and investigate a broadband receiving system incorporating a series of Josephson YBaCuO grain boundary junctions within a log-periodic antenna.
- To analyze the system's electromagnetic properties, including amplitude-frequency characteristics and beam patterns.
- To calculate the DC characteristics of the detector, such as responsivity and noise-equivalent power (NEP), and determine the optimal number of junctions for minimum NEP.
Main Methods:
- Electromagnetic modeling of the Josephson junction series integrated into a log-periodic antenna.
- Investigation of amplitude-frequency characteristics, beam patterns, and power absorption in each junction.
- Numerical simulation of one-dimensional junction arrays to calculate DC characteristics (current-voltage, responsivity, noise, NEP).
- Optimization of the number of Josephson junctions for minimizing NEP at a 250 GHz signal frequency.
Main Results:
- The study determined the optimal number of Josephson junctions for achieving the minimum NEP.
- A series configuration of junctions was found to enhance responsivity by 2.5x, improve NEP by 1.5x, and increase the power dynamic range by 5x.
- For YBaCuO Josephson junctions on a ZrYO substrate at 77 K, achieved parameters include responsivity of 9 kV/W, NEP of 3·10-13 W/Hz(1/2), and a power dynamic range of 1·106.
Conclusions:
- The integration of Josephson YBaCuO grain boundary junctions into a log-periodic antenna forms a promising broadband receiving system.
- Optimizing the number and series configuration of junctions significantly enhances detector performance metrics like responsivity and NEP.
- The achieved parameters demonstrate the potential of this system for high-sensitivity applications at cryogenic temperatures.
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