Sb-heterostructure Millimeter-Wave Detectors with Improved Noise Performance

Detailed characterization of the low-frequency noise performance of mm-wave Sb- heterostructure detectors and the implications for devices and systems are reported. The low-frequency noise as a function of temperature and bias was characterized. While the detectors exhibit only thermal noise at zero bias, the application of either external DC bias or the generation of a self-bias from incident RF power induces low-frequency noise. The low-frequency noise spectrum was measured as a function of applied bias.