A Concept-proof Study of Multibeam Heterodyne Receiver Frontends for Next Generation Radio Telescopes

2020 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K03708
• Research Institution: National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
• Principal Investigator: SHAN Wenlei 国立天文台, 先端技術センター, 准教授 (60792570)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 江崎 翔平 国立天文台, 先端技術センター, 研究技師 (40794508)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: Focal plane array / SIS mixer / Radio astronomy / Planar OMT

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

There are two main accomplishments in the final year. First, we have finished the assessment of the 4-pixel SIS mixer array. The results undoubtedly proved that the hybrid planar integration(HPI) approach is technically feasible for highly compact SIS mixer focal-plane arrays. Second, we have made a breakthrough in fabrication of thin-film resistors based on NbTiN by using reactive sputtering. By applying this method, we have fabricated 2SB MMIC devices. Preliminary measurement results demonstrated expected sideband separation performance.

The overall study aims to make essential breakthroughs in the techniques of constructing large-format and compact superconducting multibeam receiver frontends. The major achievements of this study are as follows. (1) The innovative HPI approach has been proposed and developed to allow construction of compact superconducting heterodyne focal plane arrays. This approach is based on two key technologies, namely silicon-based superconducting monolithic microwave integrated circuit(MMIC) and silicon membrane-based waveguide probes; (2) A single pixel proof-of-concept SIS mixer based on the HPI approach has been developed at 125-164 GHz frequency band with dual-polarization receiving capability and balanced mixing configuration. The measurement results of this model showed nearly state-of-the-art performance; (3) A 2 x 2 compact array has been developed at the same frequency band following the HPI approach. This prototype achieved the unprecedent compactness and demonstrated even LO distribution and unaffected single-pixel performance.

Research Products

• [Journal Article] A Compact Superconducting Heterodyne Focal Plane Array Implemented With HPI (Hybrid Planar Integration) Scheme (2020)
  • Author(s): Shan Wenlei、Ezaki Shohei、Kang Haoran、Gonzalez Alvaro、Kojima Takafumi、Uzawa Yoshinori
  • Journal Title: IEEE Transactions on Terahertz Science and Technology Volume: 10 Pages: 677～689
  • DOI: 10.1109/TTHZ.2020.3025097
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Status of the East Asia ALMA development program: Towards the implementation of the ALMA development roadmap (2020)
  • Author(s): Gonzalez Alvaro、Kojima Takafumi、Shan Wenlei、Kiuchi Hitoshi、Uzawa Yoshinori、Iono Daisuke、Kosugi George
  • Journal Title: SPIE Proceedings Volume 11453, Millimeter, Submillimeter, and Far-Infrared Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy X Volume: 11445 Pages: -
  • DOI: 10.1117/12.2561603
• [Presentation] Demonstration of a Millimeter-wave Multibeam Receiver Implemented with Superconducting MMICs (2021)
  • Author(s): Shan, W., Ezaki, S., Kaneko, K., Miyachi, A., Kojima, T., Uzawa, Y., Kang, H., Gonzalez, A.
  • Organizer: 日本天文学会春季年会
• [Presentation] Demonstration of a Millimeter-wave Multibeam Receiver Implemented with Superconducting MMICs (2021)
  • Author(s): Shan, W., Ezaki, S., Kaneko, K., Miyachi, A., Kojima, T., Uzawa, Y., Kang, H., Gonzalez, A.
  • Organizer: 第21回ミリ波サブミリ波受信機ワークショップ
• [Presentation] Technological Challenges toward a Large-format Heterodyne Focal-plane Array at Mm/sub-mm Waves (2021)
  • Author(s): Shan, W., Ezaki, S., Kojima, T., Uzawa, Y., Kim, J.
  • Organizer: (サブ)ミリ波単一鏡の革新で挑む, 天文学の未解決問題
  • Invited
• [Presentation] Modeling of Current-Voltage Characteristics of DC Reactive Sputtering and Its Application to Superconducting NbTiN Thin Film Deposition (2021)
  • Author(s): Shan, W., Ezaki, S., Miyachi, A., Tamura, T.
  • Organizer: 応用物理学会春季年会
• [Presentation] A Millimeter-wave Multibeam Receive Implemented with Superconducting MMICs (2020)
  • Author(s): W. Shan, S. Ezaki, K. Kaneko, A. Miyachi, T. Kojima, Y. Uzawa, H. Kang, A. Gonzalez
  • Organizer: 21st East Asia S ubmillimeter-wave Receiver Technology Workshop
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Progress in Device Fabrication at SIS Cleanroom in NAOJ (2020)
  • Author(s): Shan, W. Ezaki, E., Miyachi, A, Tamura, T., Kojima, T., Uzawa, Y.
  • Organizer: 日本天文学会秋季年会
• [Presentation] A Millimeter-wave Multibeam Receive Implemented with Superconducting MMICs (2020)
  • Author(s): Shan, W., Ezaki, S., Kaneko, K., Miyachi, A., Kojima, T., Uzawa, Y., Kang, H., Gonzalez, A.
  • Organizer: 応用物理学会秋季年会
• [Presentation] PE-CVDプロセスがSISミキサ集積回路に及ぼす影響 (2020)
  • Author(s): 江崎翔平，単文磊，宮地晃平，小嶋崇文，鵜澤佳徳
  • Organizer: 応用物理学会秋季年会