Planar Superconductor-Insulator-Superconductor Mixer Array Receivers for Wide Field of View Astronomical Observation

TL;DR

This paper introduces a planar SIS mixer array receiver design for wide field astronomical observation, featuring membrane-based probes and on-chip waveguide networks, enabling advanced functions like dual-polarization and sideband separation.

Contribution

The paper proposes a novel planar SIS mixer array concept with integrated waveguide networks, demonstrating its feasibility through a prototype and initial measurements.

Findings

Prototype shows promising measurement results

Feasibility of integrating multiple functions in a planar circuit

Supports wide field of view astronomical observations

Abstract

We present a conceptual framework of planar SIS mixer array receivers and the studies on the required techniques. This concept features membrane-based on-chip waveguide probes and a quasi-two-dimensional local-oscillator distribution waveguide network. This concept allows sophisticated functions, such as dual-polarization, balanced mixing and sideband separation, easily implemented with the SIS mixer array in the same planar circuit. We have developed a single-pixel prototype receiver by implementing the concept in the design. Initial measurement results show good evidences that support the feasibility of the concept.