Presentation Information
[PL2]High-Sensitivity Superconducting Mixers and Detectors for Terahertz Astronomy
*Sheng-Cai SHI1, Jing Li1, Wen Zhang1, Wei Miao1 (1. Purple Mountain Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences (China))
Keywords:
Terahertz,Astronomy,Superconducting,Mixers,Detectors
The terahertz (THz) regime, loosely defined as 0.1-10THz, occupies approximately half the photon energy in the universe after cosmic microwave background. It is a unique frequency band that radiation invisible in the optical/NIR regime can be observed. Furthermore, there are plenty of molecular rotation lines and atomic fine structure lines in this frequency regime, which are important tracers for studying the physical and chemical properties of celestial objects. Recent breakthroughs of terahertz observation include the first black hole image ever taken in human history and transformative understanding of protoplanetary disks. Superconducting mixers and detectors, with respective sensitivity approaching the quantum limit and the background limit, are playing an increasingly important role in terahertz astronomy. This talk will focus on our recent development of high-sensitivity superconducting mixers and detectors as well as their astronomical applications. In addition, the roadmap for the development of China’s terahertz astronomy -- from space to Qinghai-Tibet plateau to Antarctic -- will be introduced.