An Integrated Planar Array of Ultrafast THz Y–Ba–Cu–O Detectors for Spectroscopic Measurements

Detectors made from the high-T
_c
superconductor YBa
₂
Cu
₃
O
_7-x
are well suited to detect the high-intensity pulsed-terahertz (THz) radiation emitted by synchrotron light sources and free-electron lasers due to their fast response times. We propose a detection system consisting of an integrated planar array with four superconducting detectors coupled to narrowband double-slot antennas for the frequencies 140 GHz, 350 GHz, 650 GHz, and 1.02 THz, respectively. With the ability for spectroscopic measurements, it has the potential to further improve the understanding of accelerator science and the future application of THz radiation. In this paper, we present a new antenna and array design that has been especially optimized to match the high impedance of sub-μm-sized detector bridges needed for high sensitivities, and measurements performed at the Diamond Light Source.