Spectral filtering with diffractive reflection gratings for fast superconducting detectors in the THz frequency range

In this work we describe the design process of a grating spectrometer with fast superconducting THz detectors based on Niobiumnitride. The main application is the use as a diagnostic tool for accelerator-based sources of THz radiation like synchrotrons, where interactions of the electron bunches in storage ring lead to fluctuations in spectrum and intensity of the emitted radiation.

Guidelines for the design of the two main parts, grating and detector design, are given. Here, a blazed reflection grating for a frequency range of 1 THz to 5 THz has been developed and successfully fabricated in a high-precision milling process out of brass. Also three different planar antenna designs (double-slot, annular slot and log-per spiral) in combination with quasioptical bandpass filters for the THz range have been simulated and evaluated for best spectral resolution and power coupling.

Finally, we have verified grating performance for pulsed THz radiation of 1 THz in an experiment conducted at the synchrotron light source of the KIT. Excellent agreement of the grating performance to the simulations has been found.