Abstract
A low-noise rf amplifier based on a de SQUID (SQA) has been tested in the frequency range 3.0-4.6 GHz in the open-loop configuration. The following parameters have been measured for the single-stage balanced type SQA at 4.0 GHz: gain (12 +/- 1) dB, 3 dB bandwidth of 500 MHz and noise temperature (1.0 +/- 0.25) K. For the nonbalanced type SQA at 4.0 GHz gain was (15 +/-1) dB, 3 dB bandwidth 200 MHz and noise temperature (0.5 +/- 0.25) K. The improved performance is obtained due to the increased characteristic voltage (approximate to 420 muV) of the small-area (down to 0.7-0.9 mum(2)) high-quality Nb-AlOx-Nb SIS junctions. The saturation power (normalized to 1 GHz) referred to the input at 1 dB gain compression is estimated as approximate to55 K*GHz at a bias voltage of 60 muV. The reasons for saturation of the SQA are discussed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1042-1045 |
| ISSN | 1051-8223 |
| Publication status | Published - 2003 |