Investigation of the high-frequency properties of superconducting point contacts in the far infrared
A theoretical and experimental investigation was made of the high-frequency properties of Nb--Nb superconducting point contacts (SPC's) operating under nonequilibrium conditions with a high critical current I/sub c/ and low normal-state resistance R/sub N/. The possibility of using these contacts in metrological applications in the near infrared was studied. On exposure of these SPC's to external radiation, current steps corresponding to the harmonics of the external radiation frequency were readily observed on their current-voltage characteristics at voltages exceeding the limiting value for niobium SPC's. In this case, the frequency was subject to a capacitative limitation. Frequency multiplication up to 8 x 10/sup 12/Hz (approx.38..mu..) was observed at bridges having dimensions not exceeding 50 nm. Investigations were made of the dependences of the step-like structure of the current-voltage characteristics of SPC's on the external radiation power and frequency. The dependences of the intermediate-frequency signal amplitude and width on the bias voltage and power of the external signals on exposure of SPC's to two radiation sources were also studied. A theoretical analysis showed that, in frequency multiplication and mixing by SPC's operated under nonequilibrium conditions, allowance must be made for the action of both the self-radiation and its harmonics on the SPC.
- Research Organization:
- P. N. Lebedev Physics Institute, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow
- OSTI ID:
- 5584028
- Journal Information:
- Sov. J. Quant. Electron. (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Journal Name: Sov. J. Quant. Electron. (Engl. Transl.); (United States) Vol. 9:8; ISSN SJQEA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CRITICAL CURRENT
CURRENTS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRIC CONTACTS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTS
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FAR INFRARED RADIATION
FREQUENCY CONVERTERS
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