Hilbert Spectral Analysis of THz Radiation Sources by High-Tc Josephson Detectors

A Hilbert spectrum analyzer was developed and characterized with monochromatic radiation sources at the frequency range from 30 GHz to 1 THz. The analyzer was based on a high-Tc frequency-selective Josephson detector and cooled to temperatures of 60-80K by a Stirling cryocooler. The instrumental function of the spectrum analyzer was shown to be of Lorentz type and within accuracy up to 0.1% without any harmonic and subharmonic contributions. Spectral characterization of THz sources, based on frequency multiplication of input microwave radiation by Schottky diodes, was demonstrated for input frequencies from 10 to 20 GHz with a total scanning time as low as 50 ms per scan. The developed Hilbert spectrum analyzer might be considered as a compact and high-speed substitute of conventional Fourier spectrometers, which are used for characterization of THz radiation sources in combination with liquid-helium-cooled silicon bolometers.