Development of integrated HEB/MMIC receivers for near-range terahertz imaging

Abstract

We present measurement results for a new type of integrated terahertz receiver, as an extension to previous work by the authors. The receiver we developed integrates quasi-optically coupled phonon-cooled NbN hot electron bolometric (HEB) mixers in close proximity with InP monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) intermediate-frequency (IF) amplifiers. We have measured antenna radiation pattern, receiver noise temperature, and bandwidth, as well as short-term stability of the integrated receivers. The measurements were performed at 1.6 and 2.5 THz over a very broadband IF frequency range. We have been able to extend the effective bandwidth of these receivers up to 5 GHz, the widest reported for any integrated configuration operating above 1 THz. The suitability of the HEB/MMIC approach for imaging applications has been confirmed through the development of a prototype system for near-range scanning. The results presented here are very promising for the future development of heterodyne focal plane arrays for space-based receivers, medical applications, and surveillance