3D Modeling of a Superconducting Transition Edge Detector

Abstract

Improving the sensitivity and the time response of the superconducting transition edge detectors as one of the most promising technologies for millimeter and sub-millimeter wavelength radiation power detection is essential. Having an accurate 3D model for these detectors enables us to design faster detectors with higher sensitivity and detectivity. In this paper, we report on a 3-dimensional finite element model of a current biased superconducting YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO) transition-edge detector fabricated by a low-cost Metal-Organic deposition method. The obtained simulation results are in good agreement with the measured response of the detectors. Also, as the simulation results suggest, decreasing the thermal boundary conductance of the YBCO film and substrate interface would result in higher response at the modulation frequencies, higher than the knee frequency, at which the response is governed by the film and substrate materials and geometries.