Nanobolometers for THz Photon Detection

This paper reviews the state of rapidly emerging terahertz hot-electron nanobolometers (nano-HEB), which are currently among of the most sensitive radiation power detectors at submillimeter wavelengths. With the achieved noise equivalent power close to 10-19W/Hz1/2and potentially capable of approaching NEP ~ 10-20W/Hz1/2, nano-HEBs are very important for future space astrophysics platforms with ultralow submillimeter radiation background. The ability of these sensors to detect single low-energy photons with high dynamic range opens interesting possibilities for quantum calorimetry in the midinfrared and even in the far-infrared parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. We discuss the competition in the field of ultrasensitive detectors, the physics and technology of nano-HEBs, recent experimental results, and perspectives for future development.