Measurement of integrated tuning elements for SIS mixes with a Fourier transform spectrometer

Planar lithographed quasioptical mixers can profit from the use of integrated tuning elements to improve the coupling between the antenna and the SIS mixer junctions. We have used a Fourier transform spectrometer with an Hg-arc lamp source as an RF sweeper to measure the frequency response of such integrated tuning elements. The SIS junction connected to the tuning element served as the direct detector for the spectrometer. This relatively quick, easy experiment can give enough information over a broad range of millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths to test both design concepts and success in fabrication. One type of tuning element, an inductive wire connected in parallel with a series array of 5 SIS junctions across the terminals of a bow-tie antenna, shows a resonant response peak at 100 GHz with a 30% bandwidth. This result is in excellent agreement with theoretical calculations based on a simple L-C circuit. It also agrees very well with the RF frequency dependence of the mixer gain measured using the same structure. The other type of tuning element, an open-circuited stub connected in parallel with a single SIS junction across the terminals of a bow-tie antenna, exhibits multiple resonances at 110, 220, and 336 GHz, with bandwidths of 9–15 GHz. This result is in good agreement with theoretical calculations based on an open-circuited stub with small loss and small dispersion. The position and the bandwidth of the resonance at 110 GHz also agrees with the RF frequency dependence of the mixer gain measured using similar structures.Work supported by the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research under Grant No. AFOSR 85-0230.Contribution of the U.S. Government not subject to copyright.     

100 GHz mixer vertically integrated (stacked) SIS junction array

A Vertically Integrated Array (stacked array) of single windowSIS junctions (VIA SIS), based on a stacked five layer structure of Nb-AlO_x-Nb-AlO_x-Nb, has been fabricated and tested in a quasi optical mixer configuration at 106 GHz. This particular VIA SIS design has two stacked junctions fabricated by standard tri-layer process employing photolithography, reactive ion and wet etching processes. A simple expression for calculating the specific capacitance of single and arrayed SIS junctions is suggested. Due to the absence of interconnection leads between the individual junctions and reduced overall capacitance, compared to a single SIS junction, has the VIA SIS good future prospects for use in submillimeter wave SIS mixers The VIA SIS may be regarded as a lumped rather than a distributed structure at least up to the gap frequency at 730 GHz for Nb. DC-IV measurements show high quality of the Individual SIS junctions and good reproducibility of the array parameters over the substrate area. The first VIA SIS mixer experiments yielded a receiver noise temperature of 95 K (DSB) at a LO frequency of 106 GHz.     

Evaluation of protein quantification using standard peptides containing single conservative amino acid replacements

Structural analogs are evaluated as peptide internal standards for protein quantification with liquid chromatography-multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry (LC-MRM); specifically, single conservative amino acid replacements (SCAR) are performed to create tagged standards that differ by the addition or subtraction of a single methylene group in one amino acid side chain. Because the performance of stable isotope-labeled standards (SIS) has been shown to be superior to structural analogs, differences in both development and quantitative performance between assays based on SIS and SCAR peptides are explored. To establish an assay using the structural analogs, analysis of endogenous, SCAR and SIS peptides was performed to examine their ion signal, fragmentation patterns and response in LC-MRM. Performance of SCAR and SIS peptides was compared for quantification of epidermal growth factor receptor from lung cancer cell lysates and immunoglobulin M in the serum of multiple myeloma patients.     

Characterization of the IF Noise of a Submillimeter SIS Receiver

A fitting method is presented here for the accurate characterization of the IF noise contribution of a sub-millimeter SIS receiver. By fitting the mixer's IF output power response and junction's IV curve of an SIS mixer without LO pumping, we can obtain the IF noise contribution, the physical temperature of the isolator connected just behind the SIS mixer, the output mismatching of the mixer, and the total gain of the IF chain. Differing from a conventional method, which only uses the normal-state (linear) branch of the junction's IV curve, the method proposed here also includes the nonlinear portion around the gap voltage. The dynamic resistance in this portion is varied dramatically, providing us a good probe to characterize the output mismatching of the mixer, as well as other parameters.     

Terahertz Detection with Twin Superconductor-Insulator-Superconductor Tunnel Junctions

Terahertz detection with twin superconductor-insulator-superconductor （SIS） tunnel junctions, which are connected in parallel via an inductive thin-film superconducting microstrip line, is mainly studied. Firstly, we investigate the direct-detection response of a superconducting twin-junction device by means of a Fourier transform spectrometer. Secondly, we construct a direct-detection model of twin SIS tunnel junctions. The superconducting twin-junction device is then simulated in terms of the constructed model. The simulation result is found to be in good agreement with the measured one. In addition, we observe that the direct-detection response of the device is consistent with the noise temperature behaviour.     

A 110 GHz SIS receiver for radio astronomy

A 110 GHz superconductor insulator superconductor (SIS) tunnel junction receiver has been developed and used in regular astronomical observations on the 4m radio telescope at the Department of Astrophysics, Nagoya University. The SIS junction consists of a sandwich structure of Nb/AlOx/Nb, and is cooled to 4.2K with a closed cycle He-gas refrigerator. The receiver exhibits a best double side band noise temperature of 23±2 K at 110GHz. Additional measurements at 98–115 GHz indicate that the receiver has a good response over this input frequency range.     

Speech target modulates speaking induced suppression in auditory cortex

Background  

Previous magnetoencephalography (MEG) studies have demonstrated speaking-induced suppression (SIS) in the auditory cortex during vocalization tasks wherein the M100 response to a subject's own speaking is reduced compared to the response when they hear playback of their speech.     

Charged hard dumbbell in the binding mean-spherical approximation

A simple model for charged hard dumbbell is proposed in the binding mean-spherical approximation (BIMSA). The thermodynamic properties are analytical solutions of the unique screening parameter Γ^B with full association. Critical point and vapour-liquid coexistence curve are identical to those of Kalyuzhnyi, Yu. V., 1998, Molec. Phys., 94, 735, where a site-site integral equation has to be solved. Substituting Γ without association for Γ^B, the BIMSA reduces to the simple interpolation scheme (SIS). A simple interpolation between the SIS and the BIMSA is proposed: this gives the critical point (T_c? = 0.0525, p?_c = 0.0640) which, for the time being, is the closest to the computer simulation results. Similarity between the charged hard dumbbell and the restricted primitive model of electrolyte is also addressed.     

Surface wetting behavior of the poly(styrene-b-isoprene-b-styrene) triblock copolymer with different chemical structures of the polyisoprene block chain

The relationship between the chemical structure of a block copolymer and its surface structure and properties is very important for the careful design of its outer surface layer. For this paper, a series of poly(styrene-b-isoprene-b-styrene) triblock copolymers (SIS), with different chemical structures in the polyisoprene block chain, were synthesized by anionic polymerization and their dynamic wetting behaviors were investigated. The dynamic contact angles of the polyisoprene homopolymer (PI) and the SIS were almost the same when the PI and the corresponding block in the SIS had similar chemical structures. The receding contact angle (θ_r) of SIS depended on the microstructure of the PI block chain, however, the advancing contact angles (θ_a) were almost the same regardless of the PI’s chemical structures. The receding contact angle (θ_r) of SIS containing 3,4-PI was far higher than that of SIS with 1,4-PI. Meanwhile, it gradually approached that of SIS with 1,4-PI as the of 3,4-PI content decreased or as the local temperature increased. Contact angle measurement is one of the most sensitive methods for providing information on the outer few angstroms of a polymer’s surface. Therefore, by designing SIS with different chemical structures in the PI block, it was confirmed that the properties and structure of the outermost layer of the SIS were controlled primarily by the PI block’s chemical structure. This demonstrates the possibility to modulate the surface structure and properties of SIS by adjusting the chemical structure of polyisoprene segment.     

A Novel LO Power Injection Method for SIS Mixers

We propose a novel LO power injection method developed for SIS mixers in this paper. Based on the feature of extremely small LO power requirements of SIS quantum mixing, the new method fulfills SIS pumping through a DC/IF route based built-in LO path, which is composed of an additional LO waveguide and the existing microstrip choke filter on the junction substrate. With the new method, traditional external LO diplexers(e.g., crossguide-couplers or beamsplitters) become unnecessary, resulting in a lower loss, compact, and stable receiver system. Experiments at 110- and 230 GHz bands have shown that the present method is efficient in coupling sufficient pumping power to SIS junctions from general LO sources, and the receiver sensitivities have a further improvement of about 10 K. We expect this method is also able to be applied into submillimeter wave band for SIS mixers.     

A 650-GHz Band SIS Receiver for Balloon-Borne Limb-Emission Sounder

A superconducting low-noise receiver has been developed for atmospheric observations in the 650-GHz band. A waveguide-type tunerless mixer mount was designed based on one for the 200-GHz band. Two niobium SIS (superconductor-insulator-superconductor) junctions were connected by a tuning inductance to cancel the junction capacitance. We designed the R_nC_j product to be 8 and the current density to be 5.5 kA/cm². The measured receiver noise temperature in DSB was 126-259 K in the frequency range of 618-660 GHz at an IF of 5.2 GHz, and that in the IF band (5-7 GHz) was 126-167 K at 621 GHz. Direct detection measurements using a Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) showed the frequency response of the SIS mixer to be in the range of about 500-700 GHz. The fractional bandwidth was about 14%. The SIS receiver will be installed in a balloon-borne limb-emission sounder that will be launched from Sanriku Balloon Center in Japan.     

Laser frequency stabilization based on Sagnac interferometric spectroscopy

A simple method based on Sagnac interferometric spectroscopy (SIS) is applied for frequency stabilization of diode lasers. Sagnac interferometric spectra of rubidium vapor are investigated both theoretically and experimentally. The interference signal at the output of the Sagnac interferometer displays a sharp dispersion feature near the atomic resonance. This dispersion curve is used as the feedback error signal to stabilize the laser frequency. Linewidth of a diode laser is stabilized down to 1 MHz by this modulation-free method.     

Noise Stability of SIS Receivers

There is a strong interest in the submillimeter astronomy community to increase the IF bandwidth of SIS receivers in order to better facilitate broad spectral linewidth and continuum observations of extragalactic sources. However, with an increase in receiver IF bandwidth there is a decrease in the mixer stability. This in turn effects the integration efficiency and quality of the measurement. In order to better understand the noise mechanisms responsible for reducing the receiver stability, we employed a technique first described by D.W. Allan and later elaborated upon by Schieder et al. In this paper we address a variety of factors that degrade the noise stability of SIS receivers. The goal of this exercise is to make recommendations aimed at maximizing SIS receiver stability.     

A Multibeam SIS Mixer Module for a Focal Plane Array Receiver

The integration of many receiver units into a receiver array is a common method of improvement of imaging systems. This approach, well known in the mm band for Schottky mixer arrays, has not so far been developed for Superconductor - Insulator - Superconductor (SIS) junction mixers, which give the best sensitivity in the short mm wave range and in the submm range.We demonstrate for the first time a practical low noise multibeam receiver module using SIS mixer technology. The basis for the integration of several SIS mixers with a common local oscillator source is given by the saturation of the SIS receiver noise dependence upon local oscillator power. The module comprises three identical SIS mixers integrated with a common local oscillator, coupled through a three branch waveguide directional coupler. The multibeam module has been developed for a focal plane array receiver of the 30 meter radio telescope of the Institut de Radioastronomie Millimétrique (IRAM).     

Electrospinning and Mechanical Properties of Polystyrene and Styrene-Isoprene-Styrene Block Copolymer Blend Nanofibres

Electrospinning of polystyrene (PS) and styrene–isoprene–styrene block copolymer (SIS) blends with different composition weight ratios was carried out with a mixed solvent, tetrahydrofuran (THF) and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) (80/20, v/v). Electrospun PS/SIS blend fibers were characterized using scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated that the presence of DMF resulted in a beneficial effect on fiber formation and greater electrospinnability of as-spun fibers. Furthermore, the morphological structure and diameters of as-spun fibers from PS and SIS blends were affected by the composition weight ratio and the solution properties. The fibers from 10 wt% solution exhibited the best mechanical properties compared to the fibers from other concentrations for the same composition, and increasing the SIS content one observes a vanishing of PS-related properties, while SIS-related properties emerges.     

Risk Estimate of Diseases in Scale-Free Networks

We investigate the effect of risk estimate on the spread of diseases by the standard susceptible-infected- susceptible （SIS） model. The perception of the risk of being infected is explained as cutting off links among individuals, either healthy or infected, We study this simple dynamics on scale-free networks by analytical methods and computer simulations. We obtain the self-consistency form for the infection prevalence in steady states. For a given transmission rate, there exists a linear relationship between the reciprocal of the density of infected nodes and the estimate parameter. We confirm all the results by sufficient numerical simulations.     

A simple multiple beam lo coupler for SIS heterodyne arrays

The construction of SIS heterodyne imaging arrays for submillimetre wave-lengths requires multiple coupling of the local oscillator signal. The quasi-optical analogue of a multiple cross-guide coupler, employing 45° beam-splitters successively stacked along the local oscillator beam, allows for individual adjustment of local oscillator power to each channel. We analyse the coupling as a function of the focal ratio of the incident beams and the number of beam widths off-axis through which the coupler is extended, and describe a simple construction method to realise a compact and effective design.     

Characterization of Nb-Based Superconducting Microstrip Lines Around the Gap Frequency

Submillimter-wave SIS (superconductor-insulator-superconductor) mixers usually adopt SIS junctions associated with an integrated tuning circuit, which tunes out the junction's geometric capacitance and is typically an inductive thin-film superconducting microstrip line. This paper mainly investigates the characteristic of Nb-based superconducting microstrip lines around the junction's gap frequency, at which the surface resistance of Nb films becomes considerable, and its effect on the performance of SIS mixers.     

Low noise completely quasioptical SIS receiver for radioastronomy at 115 GHZ

Completely quasioptical heterodyne SIS receiver for radioastronomical applications at 115 GHz was designed and tested. Gaussian beam two lens input guide system and open structure SIS mixer with immersion lens were used. Integrated quasioptical structure consists of planar equiangular spiral antenna and superconductor—insulator—superconductor (SIS) tunnel junction as a mixing element connected to the antenna via microstrip impedance transformer. The best SIS mixer noise temperature at hot input and for heterodyne frequency 109.8 GHz with IF central frequency 1.4 GHz (DSB) was 28±7 K at the first quasiparticle step and 8±6 K at the second step.     

Analysis of epidemic models with demographics in metapopulation networks

In this paper, two susceptible–infected–susceptible (SIS) epidemic models are presented and analyzed by reaction–diffusion processes with demographics in metapopulation networks. Firstly, an SIS model with constant-inputting is discussed. The model has a disease-free equilibrium, which is locally asymptotically stable when the basic reproduction number is less than unity, otherwise it is unstable. It has an endemic equilibrium, which is globally asymptotically stable. Secondly, in another SIS model, the birth rate is the form of Logistic. Similarly, the stability of disease-free equilibrium and endemic equilibrium is also proved. Finally, numerical simulations are performed to illustrate the analytical results.