Superconducting Electronic–Photonic Platform for HEB-Based Terahertz Spectrometers

Abstract

Terahertz photonic integrated circuits are becoming popular in ultrafast on-chip signal generation and processing. They outperform assemblies of electronic devices making use of metallic waveguides in term of both fabrication complexity and system losses. In this study, we report on a nearly all-dielectric hot electron bolometer mixer compatible with the technology of integrated Si photonic crystals. The developed on-chip power distribution networks ensure input losses of 2.4 dB and far-field radiation patterns with a gain of 12.1 dB and a side lobe level below −11 dB. The mixer is designed for spectral measurements at 2.7 THz. It can be used either as a part of an on-chip spectrometer or as a standalone device.

Keywords

• terahertz
• hot electron bolometer
• frequency mixer
• silicon-on-insulator
• photonic crystal
• photonic-integrated circuit