High-Tc superconducting step-edge Josephson junction detector for terahertz imaging

We describe here the realization of a terahertz (THz) imager based on a high-T
_c
superconducting (HTS) Josephson junction detector. The detector, made of an YBa
₂
Cu
₃
O
_7-x
(YBCO) step-edge junction, is coupled to a thin-film antenna and a hemispheric silicon lens. Images of high visual quality are obtained at temperatures above 77 K. The results demonstrated the potential of a HTS superconducting detector based THz imaging system. The design, implementation and characterization of the HTS Josephson detector and imaging system together with some images acquired will be presented.