• Khudchenko, A. V.
• Vdovichev, S. N.
• Filippenko, L. V.
• Edelman, V. S.
• Haikin, V. B.
• Dmitriev, P. N.
• Chekushkin, A. M.
• Baryshev, A. M.
• Tarasov, M. A.
• Gunbina, A. A.
• Vdovin, V. F.
• Balega, Yu. Yu.
• Lemzyakov, S. A.
• Dubrovich, V. K.
• Koshelets, V. P.
• Rudakov, K. I.
• Yusupov, R. A.
• Smirnov, A. V.
• Bubnov, G. M.
• Yakopov, G. V.
• Nagirnaya, D. V.

Abstract

We give a review of both our own original scientific results of the development of superconducting receivers for sub-terahertz astronomy and the main leading concepts of the global instrumentation. The analysis of current astronomical problems, the results of microwave astroclimate research, and the development of equipment for sub-terahertz radio astronomy studies justify the need and feasibility of a major infrastructure project in Russia to create a sub-terahertz telescope, as well as to enhance the implementation of the ongoing Millimetron and Suffa projects. The following results are discussed: i) superconducting coherent receivers and broadband subterahertz detectors for space, balloon, and ground-based radio telescopes have been developed and tested; ii) ultrasensitive receiving systems based on tunnel structures such as superconductor—insulator—superconductor (SIS) and superconductor—insulator—normal metal—insulator—superconductor (SINIS) have been created, fabricated, and examined; iii) a receiving array based on SINIS detectors and microwave readout system for such structures has been implemented; iv) methods for manufacturing high-quality tunnel structures Nb/AlO<SUB>x</SUB>/Nb and Nb/AlN/NbN based on niobium films with a current density of up to 30 kA/cm<SUP>2</SUP> have been developed. Receivers operated at 200 to 950 GHz and having a noise temperature only a factor of 2 to 5 higher than the quantum limit have been created and tested....

Topics

• density
• current density
• niobium