A Prototype Focal Plane Array with HEB Mixer Elements and MMIC IF Amplifiers

We describe the design, construction and testing of a 3-element prototype focal plane array (FPA) based on HEB superconducting mixers and wide band MMIC IF amplifiers. This prototype is the first finictional heterodyne FPA to be reported for any frequency above 1 THz. The FPA module makes use of a quasi optical coupling scheme and incorporates all bias and IF circuitry in the same housing, resulting in a fairly compact design, with the MMIC amplifiers placed in the same plane as the HEB devices. We present novel experimental results regarding noise temperature and coupling efficiency of this array. AA e also discuss how the number of pixels can be enlarged considerably in the future by using a multi level array architecture.

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