Composite superconducting transition edge bolometer

Journal Article · Wed Jun 15 04:00:00 EDT 1977 · Appl. Phys. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.89278· OSTI ID:7116312

Clarke, J; Richards, P L; Yeh, N

A composite far-infrared bolometer has been constructed that uses an aluminum film at the superconducting transition temperature of 1.3 K as the temperature-sensitive element. The film is evaporated on one edge of a 4 x 4-mm sapphire substrate, which is coated on the reverse side with an absorbing film of bismuth. The best bolometer has an electrical NEP of (1.7 +- 0.1) x 10/sup -15/ W Hz/sup -1///sup 2/ at 2 Hz, and a specific detectivity D* of (1.1 +- 0.1) x 10/sup 14/ cm W/sup -1/ Hz/sup 1///sup 2/. This measured electrical NEP is within a factor 2 of the fundamental thermal noise limit.

• Research Organization: Department of Physics, University of California and Materials and Molecular Research Division, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720
• OSTI ID: 7116312
• Journal Information: Appl. Phys. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Phys. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 30:12; ISSN APPLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

420201* -- Engineering-- Cryogenic Equipment & Devices
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ALUMINIUM
BOLOMETERS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTS
FAR INFRARED RADIATION
FILMS
INFRARED RADIATION
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METALS
NOISE
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
SENSITIVITY
SUPERCONDUCTING FILMS
TEMPERATURE NOISE
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
TRANSITION TEMPERATURE