Abstract
The effects of electrothermal feedback on the performance of a micromachined superconducting high Tc transition edge bolometer, over a temperature range 85-95 K, have been investigated. The system behaves nonlinearly, due to the variation of the resistance-temperature coefficient β with temperature. Optimum operating points of constant current mode (CCM) and constant voltage mode (CVM) modes vary with temperature and biasing conditions. In CCM, effective response time τeff varies little with temperature. The optimum output signal of CVM occurs at approximately 3-5 K lower temperature within the tail region, where β is maximum. The biasing voltage also displays a maximum, above which the bolometric performance degrades. The CCM exhibits a comparatively limited linear dynamic range. Negative thermal feedback causes a decrease of τeff of up to 2 orders of magnitude in CVM. CCM requires precise thermal stabilization at midtransition. Noise in both modes is limited by the 1/f contribution. Maximum D* values are slightly higher for CVM at higher frequencies. Bolometer operation in the CVM mode requires cooling the heatsink below 77 K, but does not need accurate temperature control.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 640-642 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Applied Physics Letters |
Volume | 76 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 31 Jan 2000 |
Externally published | Yes |