Masiukov Maksim: Calibration and measurement techniques of sub-THz instrumentation for space applications: 5000 eur (2025)

The support from the Walter Ahlström Foundation has been crucial in helping me finalize my publication on quasioptical measurements of cryogenically cooled devices. This work was recently published in IEEE Transactions on Terahertz Science and Technology and focuses on measurements of cryogenically cooled superconducting devices operating in the 220–330 GHz frequency band, carried out in collaboration with VTT. 

For the first time, we were able to calibrate the measurement system in such a way that it directly measures the response of the devices inside the cryostat, without interference from the measurement fixture or optical components. This marks a significant achievement, enabling much more precise testing methods for cryogenic devices. Previously, calibration methods were explored just under 110 GHz for calibration techniques, so we were able to go beyond this limitation at least twice at frequency. 

I have been working on it for a couple of years and the foundation financially helped on working towards my goals. Next year I plan to participate in a research exchange in Sweden or Netherlands using the foundation money as this year there was no chance. In general, I want to continue working on cryogenic quasioptical measurements and superconducting devices for THz astronomy and quantum computing.