The Avalanche Breakdown Detector: A Novel, High-SensitivityDetector for Submillimeter Wave Astronomy

该奖项支持雪崩击穿(AB)探测器的响应谱及其在远红外的高探测灵敏度的研究。最近，在151微米的波长下测量了极低功率的响应。这接近了量子探测的极限。探测器元件是非常规地保持在撞击电离点以上的偏置电流的n型锗。在这些条件下，信号电流与入射功率的平方根成正比。尽管已经提出了几种机制来解释这种不寻常的行为，但还没有一种机制被证明是令人满意的。加州大学圣巴巴拉分校的自由电子激光(FEL)将被用来测量探测器在远红外的大范围内的响应光谱。这些研究将为进一步的工作提供必要的理论框架以及更完整的实验结果。

This award supports the study of the response spectrum of the Avalanche Breakdown (AB) detector, and its high detection sensitivity in the far infrared. Recently, response has been measured for very low powers at a wavelength of 151 microns. This approaches the ultimate quantum detectivity limit. The detector element is n-type germanium maintained unconventionally at a bias current above the point of impact ionization. Under these conditions, the signal current is found to be proportional to the square rood of the incident power. Although several mechanisms have been suggested to explain this unusual behavior, none has yet proven satisfactory. The Free Electron Laser (FEL) at University of California, Santa Barbara, will be used to measure the detector's response spectrum over a wide range in the far infrared. These studies will provide the theoretical framework necessary for further work as well as more complete experimental results.