Ultrasensitive Quantum-Limited Far-Infrared STJ Detectors

We describe recent work at Yale on Superconducting Tunnel Junction (STJ) direct detectors that have been developed for submillimeter astronomy. To monitor the response of the detector with large readout bandwidth and excellent sensitivity, we use a novel readout based on radio frequency (RF) reflectometry, like the readout invented for the RF-SET. For calibration of the detector, we have developed an in-situ, on-chip, hot-cold photon source. This is a voltage biased gold microbridge. Noise emitted by the microbridge couples via a coplanar stripline to the detector. This provides a calibrated blackbody photon source with near unity coupling, fast chopping, and calculable output. We present recent detection results in the range 100-160 GHz. These demonstrate the expected good responsivity, high sensitivity, and fast response. This approach is easily used with a frequency-multiplexed readout, allowing economy of cold electronics. Ultimate sensitivity is in the range 1 times 10^-19 W/(Hz)^1/2.