Leonid Kuzmin (

)
Department of Physics, Chalmers University of Technology,
S-41296 Göoteborg, Sweden.
Ultra low noise bolometers are required for space - based astronomical
observations. Detection of faint sources needs wide-band continuum observation
using direct detectors (bolometers) not restricted by the quantum noise of
indirect heterodyne receivers. We are developing a novel concept of the normal
metal hot-electron microbolometer with capacitive coupling of an absorber to
the antenna by tunnel junctions. The tunnel junctions used for high frequency
coupling give simultaneously perfect thermal isolation of hot electrons in the
small volume of the absorber. The same tunnel junctions are used for
temperature measurements and electron cooling. The latest function is
especially important in presence of a real background power load. The
bolometer with tunnel junctions does not have frequency limitation in THz
range due to high potential barrier of the tunnel junctions in contrast to the
hot-electron microbolometer with Andreev mirrors limited by the
superconducting gap. A SQUID can be used as a readout system in a
voltage-biased mode. The bolometer has been fabricated and tested
experimentally. Theoretical estimations and preliminary experiments shows that
it is possible to realize the necessary sensitivity of
10-18 W/Hz1/2 with
antenna-coupled nanobolometers at temperature 0.1 K. Two novel concepts of
Superconducting Hot-Electron Bolometer and Cascade Quasiparticle Amplifier
(CQA) are discussed. The CQA is an amplifier based on strong electron cooling
of normal metal traps (or superconducting traps) and utilizing a cascade
principle of amplification.