Generation of electromagnetic waves from 0.3 to 1.6 terahertz with a high-Tc superconducting Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ intrinsic Josephson junction emitter

Abstract

To obtain higher power P and frequency f emissions from the intrinsic Josephson junctions in a high-Tc superconducting Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ single crystal, we embedded a rectangular stand-alone mesa of that material in a sandwich structure to allow for efficient heat exhaust. By varying the current-voltage (I-V) bias conditions and the bath temperature Tb, f is tunable from 0.3 to 1.6 THz. The maximum P of a few tens of μW, an order of magnitude greater than from previous devices, was found at Tb∼55 K on an inner I-V branch at the TM(1,0) cavity resonance mode frequency. The highest f of 1.6 THz was found at Tb=10 K on an inner I–V branch, but away from cavity resonance frequencies. A possible explanation is presented.

Applications using high-Tc superconducting terahertz emitters

“…The present stand-alone mesa sandwich structures have high heat-exhaust efficiency due to the surrounding sapphire and copper plates with high thermal conductivity. As a result, this stand-alone type of IJJ-THz emitter can generate radiation from 0.3 THz to 2.4 THz by changing the bias point and the bath temperature444652. We note that the thicker mesa has more layers for THz radiation, so that it is in general expected to have stronger THz radiation.…”

“…The unique (sub-) THz source based on a single-crystalline mesa structure of the high transition-temperature T c superconductor Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8+ δ (Bi2212) was first reported in 200716, and its subsequent development has proceeded rapidly171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546. Output radiation powers of a few tens of μ W have been consistently achieved from single conventional mesas3743,44, and of about 600  μ W was reported from a synchronized conventional three-mesa array45, and the radiation frequency could be varied almost continuously between 0.3 and 2.4 THz from a stand-alone mesa sandwich device46.…”

“…Output radiation powers of a few tens of μ W have been consistently achieved from single conventional mesas3743,44, and of about 600  μ W was reported from a synchronized conventional three-mesa array45, and the radiation frequency could be varied almost continuously between 0.3 and 2.4 THz from a stand-alone mesa sandwich device46. In many experiments, the radiation frequency was measured using interferometer-based spectrometers1823–25.…”

Superconducting Integrated Terahertz Spectrometers

“…Coherent emission above 1 THz by intrinsic Josephson BSCCO junction stacks with improved cooling has been demonstrated [18], [19]. Due to the variable size of the hot spot and the temperature rise caused by the self-heating, the emission frequency can be tuned over a wide range of up to 700 GHz [18].…”

Three-Dimensional Simulations of the Electrothermal and Terahertz Emission Properties ofBi2Sr2CaCu2Rudau1, Wieland2, Langer3 et al. 2016Phys. Rev. Applied290270View full textAdd to dashboardCite

“…Emission frequencies range from 0.3 to 2.4 THz. For the best stacks, an emission power P e in the range of tens of µW has been achieved 17,19,20,32,33 , and arrays of mesas showed emission with P e up to 0.61 mW 19 . The physics of the huge IJJ stacks is affected by Joule heating 1, 3,5,6,8,13,18,22,26,30,49,52,54,55,63 .…”