太赫兹超导热电子混频器阵列接收机关键技术研究

The terahertz (THz) frequency region of the electromagnetic spectrum is very rich in scientific and technological applications, and it is the unique wave band to understand molecular clouds, star formation region, planets and theirs system. High spectral resolution observations can be used to study the revolution of galaxies and planet atmosphere, and array receivers greatly enhance the observation efficiency for extended objects with large angular extent. Superconducting hot electron bolometer mixers are the most sensitive heterodyne detectors at frequencies above 1THz, but it's a big challenge to build a superconducting hot electron bolometer mixer array receiver due to its technological complexity. The proposal will study the key technologies of superconducting hot electron bolometer mixer array receiver, including the bias multiplexing of superconducting mixers, distribution and coupling of LO power, low noise amplifier integration, and ion-based superconducting hot electron bolometer mixer with high critical temperature, finally we will demonstrate a THz superconducting hot electron bolometer mixer array receiver. This project will promote the development of superconducting hot electron bolometer mixer array receiver for Dome A five meter THz telescope as well as future space THz missions.

太赫兹波段具有重要科学意义和丰富应用前景，是理解分子云、恒星形成区域、行星及行星系统的独特波段。通过高频谱分辨率观测可以研究星系形成和演化、行星大气等前沿科学问题，而阵列接收机可以极大提高望远镜对大天区目标的观测效率。超导热电子混频器是1THz以上灵敏度最高的相干探测器，但是因为结构的复杂性，研制超导热电子混频器阵列接收机存在巨大的技术挑战。本申请项目将主要研究太赫兹超导热电子混频器阵列接收机中的关键技术，包括混频器的偏置复用技术、本振功率分配和耦合技术、低噪声放大器集成技术和高临界温度铁基超导热电子混频技术，最终实现太赫兹超导热电子混频器阵列接收机的演示应用。本项申请将为我国南极五米太赫兹望远镜和我国未来的空间太赫兹计划奠定关键技术基础。

太赫兹波段高光谱分辨率观测可以研究星系形成与演化、行星大气等重要科学问题，同时大规模阵列接收机显著提高巡天观测的效率。本项目研究了超导热电子混频器阵列接收机的关键技术，包括多路偏置复用技术、本振功率分配和耦合技术、本振源与超导热电子混频器的集成技术，最终实现了太赫兹波段超导热电子混频器阵列接收机的演示。此外，还研究了高临界温度MgB2薄膜的制备和特性调控，并初步探索了超导热电子混频器的研制。这些研究成果为我国将来的太赫兹计划奠定了技术基础，并为其他领域提供高灵敏度的探测手段。