Focal plane arrays for submillimeter waves using two‐dimensional electron gas elements

Abstract

This paper describes a research effort, supported by the NASA Innovative Research Program, aimed at developing new types of THz low noise receivers, based on bulk effect ("hot electron") nonlinearities in the Two-Dimensional Electron Gas (2DEG) Medium, and the inclusion of such receivers in focal plane arrays. The original motivation and objectives of the research are discussed at some length. The results obtained cover several different sub-areas, and are discussed briefly, with references to other more detailed publications. 2DEG mixers have been demonstrated at 35 and 94 GHz with three orders of magnitude wider bandwidth than previous hot electron mixers. These mixers employ a new mode of operation, which was invented during this program. Based on the results of this research, it is now possible to design a bulk effect mixer focal plane array for the THz range, which is anticipated to have a DSB receiver noise temperature of 500-1000 K.