4,474 research outputs found
Development of Low Noise THz SIS Mixer Using an Array of Nb/Al-AlN/NbTiN Junctions
We report the development of a low noise and broadband SIS mixer aimed for 1 THz channel of the Caltech Airborne Submillimeter Interstellar Medium Investigations Receiver (CASIMIR), designed for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, (SOFIA). The mixer uses an array of two 0.24 mum^2 Nb/Al-AlN/NbTiN SIS junctions with the critical current density of 30-50 kA/cm^2 . An on-chip double slot planar antenna couples the mixer circuit with the telescope beam. The mixer matching circuit is made with Nb and gold films. The mixer IF circuit is designed to cover 4-8 GHz band. A test receiver with the new mixer has a low noise operation in 0.87-1.12 THz band. The minimum receiver noise measured in our experiment is 353 K (Y = 1.50). The receiver noise corrected for the loss in the LO injection beam splitter is 250 K. The combination of a broad operation band of about 250 GHz with a low receiver noise makes the new mixer a useful element for application at SOFIA
Modelling and performance of Nb SIS mixers in the 1.3 mm and 0.8 mm bands
We describe the modeling and subsequent improvements of SIS waveguide mixers for the 200-270 and 330-370 GHz bands (Blundell, Carter, and Gundlach 1988, Carter et al 1991). These mixers are constructed for use in receivers on IRAM radiotelescopes on Pico Veleta (Spain, Sierra Nevada) and Plateau de Bure (French Alps), and must meet specific requirements. The standard reduced height waveguide structure with suspended stripline is first analyzed and a model is validated through comparison with scale model and working scale measurements. In the first step, the intrinsic limitations of the standard mixer structure are identified, and the parameters are optimized bearing in mind the radioastronomical applications. In the second step, inductive tuning of the junctions is introduced and optimized for minimum noise and maximum bandwidth. In the 1.3 mm band, a DSB receiver temperature of less than 110 K (minimum 80 K) is measured from 180 through 260 GHz. In the 0.8 mm band, a DSB receiver temperature of less than 250 K (minimum 175 K) is obtained between 325 and 355 GHz. All these results are obtained with room-temperature optics and a 4 GHz IF chain having a 500 MHz bandwidth and a noise temperature of 14 K
Semiorthogonal decompositions of derived categories of equivariant coherent sheaves
Let X be an algebraic variety with an action of an algebraic group G. Suppose
X has a full exceptional collection of sheaves, and these sheaves are invariant
under the action of the group. We construct a semiorthogonal decomposition of
bounded derived category of G-equivariant coherent sheaves on X into
components, equivalent to derived categories of twisted representations of the
group. If the group is finite or reductive over the algebraically closed field
of zero characteristic, this gives a full exceptional collection in the derived
equivariant category. We apply our results to particular varieties such as
projective spaces, quadrics, Grassmanians and Del Pezzo surfaces.Comment: 28 pages, uses XY-pi
Low Noise 1 THz–1.4 THz Mixers Using Nb/Al-AlN/NbTiN SIS Junctions
We present the development of a low noise 1.2 THz and 1.4 THz SIS mixers for heterodyne spectrometry on the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) and Herschel Space Observatory. This frequency range is above the limit for the commonly used Nb quasi particle SIS junctions, and a special type of hybrid Nb/AlN/NbTiN junctions has been developed for this project.We are using a quasi-optical mixer design with two Nb/AlN/NbTiN junctions with an area of 0.25 µm^2. The SIS junction tuning circuit is made of Nb and gold wire layers. At 1.13 THz the minimum SIS receiver uncorrected noise temperature is 450 K. The SIS receiver noise corrected for the loss in the LO coupler and in the cryostat optics is 350–450 K across 1.1–1.25 THz band. The receiver has a uniform sensitivity in a full 4–8 GHz IF band.
The 1.4 THz SIS receiver test at 1.33–1.35 THz gives promising results, although limited by the level of available LO power. Extrapolation of the data obtained with low LO power level shows a possibility to reach 500 K DSB receiver noise using already existing SIS mixer
Gyroscope deviation from geodesic motion: quasiresonant oscillations on a circular orbit
General relativistic spin-orbit interaction leads to the quasiresonant
oscillation of the gyroscope mass center along the orbital normal. The beating
amplitude does not include the speed of light and equals the ratio of the
intrinsic momentum of the gyroscope to its orbital momentum. The modulation
frequency equals the angular velocity of the geodetic precession that prevents
the oscillation from resonance. The oscillation represents the precession of
the gyroscope orbital momentum. Within an acceptable time the oscillation
amplitude reaches the values that are amenable to being analyzed
experimentally. Taking into account the source oblateness decreases the beating
amplitude and increases the modulation frequency by the factor that is equal to
the ratio of the quadrupole precession velocity to the geodetic precession
velocity. The period of the quadrupole precession turns out to be a quite
sufficient time to form a measurable amplitude of the oscillation.Comment: 5 pages, LaTeX2e, 1 eps figure, to appear in J. Exp. Theor. Phy
Observation of the onset of strong scattering on high frequency acoustic phonons in densified silica glass
The linewidth of longitudinal acoustic waves in densified silica glass is
obtained by inelastic x-ray scattering. It increases with a high power alpha of
the frequency up to a crossover where the waves experience strong scattering.
We find that \alpha is at least 4, and probably larger. Resonance and
hybridization of acoustic waves with the boson-peak modes seems to be a more
likely explanation for these findings than Rayleigh scattering from disorder.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev. Letter
The Boson Peak and its Relation with Acoustic Attenuation in Glasses
Experimental results on the density of states and on the acoustic modes of
glasses in the THz region are compared to the predictions of two categories of
models. A recent one, solely based on an elastic instability, does not account
for most observations. Good agreement without adjustable parameters is obtained
with models including the existence of non-acoustic vibrational modes at THz
frequency, providing in many cases a comprehensive picture for a range of glass
anomalies.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, Physical Review Letters in pres
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