Nanobolometers for THz Photon Detection

TL;DR

This review discusses the development and capabilities of nanobolometers for terahertz photon detection, highlighting their high sensitivity, potential for quantum calorimetry, and relevance for space astrophysics.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of nano-HEB technology, recent experimental advancements, and future prospects in ultrasensitive terahertz photon detection.

Findings

Noise equivalent power close to 10^{-19} W/Hz^{1/2}

Potential to approach NEP ~ 10^{-20} W/Hz^{1/2}

Detection of single low-energy photons

Abstract

This article reviews the state of rapidly emerging terahertz hot-electron nanobolometers (nano-HEB), which are currently among of the most sensitive radiation power detectors at submillimeter wavelengths. With the achieved noise equivalent power close to 10^{-19} W/Hz^{1/2} and potentially capable of approaching NEP ~ 10^{-20} W/Hz^{1/2}, nano-HEBs are very important for future space astrophysics platforms with ultralow submillimeter radiation background. The ability of these sensors to detect single low-energy photons opens interesting possibilities for quantum calorimetry in the mid-infrared and even in the farinfrared parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. We discuss the competition in the field of ultrasensitive detectors, the physics and technology of nano-HEBs, recent experimental results, and perspectives for future development.