Antenna-Coupled Cold-Electron Bolometers for Focal Plane Antenna

Paper in proceeding, 2008

Novel concepts of the parallel and series array of Cold-Electron Bolometers (CEB) with Superconductor-Insulator-Normal (SIN) Tunnel Junctions have been proposed for distributed focal plane antenna. The arrays are developed for a pixel design based on arrays of CEBs coupled to a distributed slot antenna or dipole antenna. Two variants of the CEB arrays have been considered for both types of antenna on bulk substrate. The parallel connection of CEBs with SIN tunnel junctions in voltage-biased mode is optimal for a slot antenna. Some improvement of properties can be achieved by using optimal configuration of CEB with SIN junction and Andreev contact. Remarkable progress in performance is expected from implementation of a new technology for fabrication of the CEB and SQUID on the same chip in one vacuum circle. Estimations of the CEB noise with SQUID readout have shown an opportunity to realize background-limited performance for typical power load of 5pW proposed for BOOMERanG. The series connection of CEBs with SIN tunnel junctions in current-biased mode is optimal for dipole antennas. Estimations of the CEB noise with JFET readout have shown an opportunity to realize NEP less than photon noise for typical power load.