Author(s)

Ning Dong ¹

Affiliation(s)

¹ Industrial Training Centre, Shenzhen Polytechnic University, Shenzhen, 518055, China

Corresponding Author

Ning Dong

ABSTRACT

Terahertz (THz) imaging has emerged as a critical technology for security screening, offering non-invasive detection of concealed objects. However, existing systems face challenges in balancing sensitivity, imaging speed, and scalability. Superconducting Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs) present a promising solution due to their low noise, high sensitivity, and compatibility with large-scale arrays. This study focuses on developing a 600 GHz MKID-based imaging system optimized for human security screening, addressing the limitations of current THz imaging technologies. The system employs a hexagonal array of 331 MKID pixels fabricated on a 3-inch high-resistivity silicon wafer. Each pixel consists of a lumped-element resonator with an interdigitated capacitor (IDC) and a thin Al inductor for THz absorption. A Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) substrate with a suspended optical cavity structure enhances photon absorption efficiency at 600 GHz. The readout system utilizes frequency-domain multiplexing, enabling parallel signal processing across multiple pixels. Cryogenic cooling to 40 mK is achieved using a dilution refrigerator, and THz radiation is generated by a calibrated blackbody source. The system demonstrates a single-pixel noise equivalent power (NEP) of 9.3×10−15W/Hz1/2 and a noise equivalent temperature difference (NETD) of 0.028K/Hz1/2. Compared to existing systems, this design achieves a 62% reduction in noise and 96% lower power consumption per pixel. This work presents a high-performance THz imaging system based on superconducting MKID arrays, achieving unprecedented sensitivity and imaging speed for security screening applications. The innovative use of SOI-based optical cavities and frequency-domain multiplexing enables scalable, low-power operation. Future efforts will focus on expanding pixel counts, optimizing thermal management, and integrating real-time imaging algorithms for practical deployment in security checkpoints.

KEYWORDS

Terahertz imaging, MKID, security screening, superconducting devices, millimeter wave technology

CITE THIS PAPER

Ning Dong, Terahertz Single-Photon Measurement System Based on Superconducting MKIDs Array. Journal of Electronics and Information Science (2025) Vol. 10: 89-96. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/10.23977/jeis.2025.100112.

REFERENCES

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[4] Zmuidzinas, J. (2012). Superconducting Microresonators: Physics and Applications. Annual Review of Condensed Matter Physics, 3(1), 169–198.
[5] Rowe, S., Pascale, E., Doyle, S., Brien, T., Hargrave, P., Mauskopf, P., & Ade, P. (2016). A scalable readout for microwave kinetic inductance detector arrays. Review of Scientific Instruments, 87(3), 033105. 
[6] Luomahaara, J., Sipola, H., Grönberg, L., Hassel, J., & Ala-Laurinaho, J. (2021). A wideband cryogenic receiver for terahertz spectroscopy. IEEE Transactions on Terahertz Science and Technology, 11(1), 101–110.

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