Ultrasensitive Proximity Josephson Sensor with Kinetic Inductance Read-Out

TL;DR

This paper introduces a highly sensitive superconducting proximity Josephson sensor that leverages kinetic inductance variations for efficient detection of THz radiation, achieving high S/N ratios and low NEP.

Contribution

It presents a novel mesoscopic kinetic-inductance detector based on a superconductor-normal metal-superconductor Josephson junction with enhanced sensitivity and ease of fabrication.

Findings

S/N ratio up to ~10^3 in THz regime as calorimeter

Electrical NEP as low as ~7x10^{-20} W(Hz)^(-1/2) at 200 mK

High performance and easy fabrication of the sensor

Abstract

We propose a mesoscopic kinetic-inductance radiation detector based on a long superconductor--normal metal--superconductor Josephson junction. The operation of this proximity Josephson sensor (PJS) relies on large kinetic inductance variations under irradiation due to the exponential temperature dependence of the critical current. Coupled with a dc SQUID readout, the PJS is able to provide a signal to noise (S/N) ratio up to ~10^3 in the THz regime if operated as calorimeter, while electrical noise equivalent power (NEP) as low as ~7x10^{-20} W(Hz)^(-1/2) at 200 mK can be achieved in the bolometer operation. The high performance together with the ease of fabrication make this structure attractive as an ultrasensitive cryogenic detector of THz electromagnetic radiation.