Superconducting Quantum Millimeter-Waves and Terahertz Electronics

Speaker: Dr Kaveh Delfanazari (James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, UK)

Title: Superconducting Quantum Millimeter-Waves and Terahertz Electronics: from coherent light sources to tunable photonic integrated circuitry

Abstract: Current compact and coherent source and receiver technologies are generally inefficient and impractical at millimetres (mm)-waves and terahertz (THz) frequencies between 0.1 and 10 THz. Hence, a gap exists between mature microwave and developed optical technologies. On-chip, integrated broadly tunable and power-efficient quantum sources that coherently radiate EM waves between 0.1 and 11 THz (potentially extendable to 15 THz) can be achieved based on quantum tunneling of electron pairs across the stack of intrinsic Josephson junctions (IJJs) naturally present in the layered high-temperature superconducting (HTS) BSCCO. Such devices have been found to be especially promising solid-state light sources capable of bridging the entire THz gap. Due to the unique electrodynamics of BSCCO, they can also be operated as switching current THz detectors and quantum sensors. In this talk, I will present our recent recents around engineering of THz devices, from battery operated sources to low-loss quantum microwave-THz devices based on superconductors and hybrid quantum materials.