Investigation of Superconducting Fabrication Techniques, Materials, and Mixer Circuits for Astronomical Receivers

University Of Virginia Main Campus, Charlottesville VA

Investigators

Abstract

This work will upgrade laboratory capabilities for use of new materials under carefully controlled conditions for fabricating superconducting heterodyne mixer elements. This University of Virginia laboratory is one of two in the country that specializes in superconducting devices for radio astronomy, and the award will allow modernizing improvements to the facility. Over the past few years the lab has produced 3mm and 1mm mixers for ALMA bands 3 and 6, and 2mm devices for the Taeduk Radio Observatory; in addition, it is collaborating with the University of Massachusetts and the University of Arizona on the design of new hot electron bolometer devices.