Low noise hot-electron bolometer mixers for terahertz frequencies

Paper in proceeding, 2007

Hot-electron bolometer (HEB) mixers are used in many low noise heterodyne radio astronomical receivers. Their noise temperature is at the level of 10-15 times the quantum limit. However, their gain bandwidth is a serious limiting factor. Here we review the state of the art of the HEB mixers gain bandwidth for different materials and substrates. We compare the gain bandwidth of HEB mixers made on bulk substrates and thin membranes. Finally, results for MgB2 thin films for broadband HEB mixers are discussed.