Abstract: A cryogenic apparatus for microscopy of physical properties of an object including a thin, stiff, transparent substrate or window within the outer wall of the vacuum space of a dewar and a cryogenic sensor within the vacuum space and spaced very close distances to the window. This construction allows for positioning a sample for measurement outside of the vacuum space, at room temperature or higher and for microscopy of physical properties of the sample by monitoring the output from the cryogenic sensor as it is scanned along the surface of the sample.

Abstract: In a radiation detection device using superconducting tunnel junctions, the increase in electric capacitance and the decrease in electric resistance due to the increase in junction area for improvement of the detection efficiency are largely repressed by the invention. The junctions are connected in series. The number of the series-connected junctions is settled in the range of larger than 0.05 (SC.sub.o /C')0.5 and smaller than 20 (SC.sub.o /C')0.5 or 10SCo/C', whichever is larger, where S is the total area of the junctions, cm.sup.2, C.sub.o is the electric capacitance per unit area of the junctions, F/cm.sup.2, and C' is the electric capacitance connected to the device in parallel so as to transfer and amplify the signals from the device, F.

Abstract: An array of superconductive quantum detectors (SQD) with current biased SQUID flowing in one direction from fifty percent of the detectors and flowing in the opposite direction for the other fifty percent. The SQD in one embodiment has a serpentine pattern loop and minimal cross-sectional area to increase kinetic induction. A directly connected SQUID is within the loop of one embodiment and exterior of the loop in another embodiment. Methods of optimizing the signal of the array and different types of Josephson Junctions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A superconducting tunnel element, having a plurality of super conductors separated by barriers, the superconductors each comprising two physically separate but electrically connected superconducting layers and one insulated control layer. As a result, summation of the detection capacity or of the transmitting intensity becomes possible. Also, the simultaneous detection or transmission is permitted on arbitrary different frequencies or a summation of the signal intensity is possible in the case of SQUID-systems.

Abstract: A superconducting infrared photodetector employing SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) measurement of fluxon flow in thin superconducting granular films to provide sensitive, low-noise detection of infrared radiation. The superconducting infrared photodetector includes a plurality of superconducting detector elements connected in parallel or series, means for supplying a bias current to the detector elements, and a digital or analog SQUID readout circuit. Each detector element includes a thin granular film of superconducting material which forms a randomly connected array of weakly coupled superconductors. The weakly coupled superconductors promote the formation of oppositely-polarized fluxons, which are driven to opposite sides of the film when subjected to the bias current. Incident radiation causes an increase in this fluxon flow, generating a voltage change.

Abstract: Highly sensitive infrared detectors can be made from superconducting micrrip transmission lines, having a single ground plane, a dielectric substrate on the ground plane, and a thin film path of superconducting oxide on the substrate. These microstrip transmission lines can be fabricated into resonant or non-resonant structures. The detectors operate by detecting changes in a microwave signal transmitted through the microstrip, measures in the amplitude, frequency or time domains. An embodiment of this invention is an asymmetric ring interferometer, with or without a metal segment in the shorter leg of the interferometer. Another embodiment of this invention is a meander path transmission line, which, in certain configurations, may be used as a single element array with very high resolution in the direction parallel to the meander lines.

Abstract: A superconductor electromagnetic radiation detector includes a superconductor composite (2) that has a matrix (6) transparent to electromagnetic radiation wavelengths to be detected and a plurality of superconductor particles (4) dispersed in the matrix (6). The detector also includes remote means for detecting a physical response of the superconductor particles (4) to electromagnetic radiation. The physical response of the superconductor particles (4) to electromagnetic radiation indicates the presence of electromagnetic radiation. A method of detecting electromagnetic radiation includes illuminating a plurality of superconductor particles (4) dispersed in the matrix (6) of a superconductor composite (2) with electromagnetic radiation and remotely detecting a physical response to the superconductor particles (4) to the electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A device is provided for measuring radiant energy, the device comprising a substrate; a bolometer formed from a high T.sub.c superconducting material disposed on the substrate in an area that is about 1.times.5 .mu.m.sup.2 and about 0.02 .mu.m in depth; and a planar antenna disposed on the substrate and coupled to receive radiation and to impart the received radiation to the bolometer.

Abstract: A horizon sensor for spaced-based satellites consisting of a high critical temperature superconductor which changes temperature based upon its exposure to space-based radiation. The horizon sensor may be flexibly positioned along the outer surface of the space- based satellite. As the orientation in space of the satellite varies, certain portions of the satellite body will be alternately exposed to radiation while other portions of the satellite body will be shadowed from it. As the sensor is exposed to radiation due to the change in orientation of the satellite body, the temperature of the superconductor changes due to radiation absorption. This change in temperature causes the conductivity of the superconductor within the sensor to vary, and this causes a change in voltage within the sensor. This voltage may be appropriately processed via land based or satellite based control systems to accurately measure and/or change the orientation of the satellite in space.

Abstract: A Frequency Domain Infrared Superconducting Transmission Line (FIRST) detector is comprised of a folded superconducting transmission line (36) interposed between a bottom electrode (32) and a top, radiation absorbing electrode (40). Dielectric layers (34, 38) separate the transmission line from the top and bottom electrodes. An optically induced change in the kinetic inductance of the transmission line shifts the transmission line phase velocity and resonant frequency. The shift in resonant frequency attenuates the propagating wave amplitude proportionally to the product of the transmission line Q and the frequency shift. A stacked pair of such detectors (50), sharing a common ground electrode (60), is disclosed to provide an inherent rejection of noise events due to ionizing radiation such as gamma radiation and package-generated Compton electrons.

Abstract: A superconducting transition edge bolometer is constructed using high critical temperature conducting films by stabilizing a substrate of magnesium oxide or sapphire with a silicon base that is bonded to the substrate using a thermally conductive bonding layer. The base is etched away in the region of the desired radiation detecting portion of the superconductor establishing a controlled thermal connection between the detecting portion and the base which base serves as a thermal bath for the bolometer.

Abstract: A multilayered radiation detector device (50) including a resonant cavity structure wherein one cavity wall electrode includes a portion of a photovoltaic radiation detector (52). Specifically, a RFM detector has a superconducting transmission line electrode (54) electrically coupled to a high mobility semiconductor layer (58) of the photovoltaic detector. The superconductor transmission line electrode inductance forms, in combinations with a photodetector depletion region capacitance, a series resonant or a parallel resonant circuit. A radiation-induced change in the capacitance results in a change in the circuit resonant frequency and a corresponding variation in the amplitude of an on-resonance RF signal applied to the circuit. In another embodiment the resonant cavity structure includes a gap having a width that is modulated by an amount of absorbed radiation, the radiation-induced change in the distributed cavity capacitance resulting in a change in the cavity resonant frequency.

Abstract: A radiation detector comprising an element made of superconductive material supplied by an electrical generator as well as a system to measure the resistance of the element. For example, the generator is a constant voltage source. The measuring system utilizes a resistor placed in series with the superconductive element and a voltage measuring apparatus connected to the terminals of the resistor. Incident radiation has the effect of causing variations in the resistance of the superconductive element. Consequently, from the value of the resistance of the superconductive element, the intensity of the radiation received is detected. The disclosed device can be applied to the detection of radiation located between the visible wavelengths and the dwarf wavelengths.

Abstract: A cryogenic detector comprises an array formed from a plurality of spherical grains made of type I superconducting material arranged in a preselected pattern and each having a preselected size (generally less than about 100 microns in diameter). Also disclosed is a method of making such an array by depositing a film of selected thickness of type I superconducting material on a substrate, etching the film to provide an array formed by a plurality of discrete pixels, melting the pixels under conditions whereby the pixels are transformed into substantially spherical shape, and cooling to freeze the molten pixels into substantially spherical grains.

Abstract: A broadband photon detector capable of detecting a steady state flux of incident radiation operates using a superconducting material is biased at the temperature where the material changes from a superconducting to a non-superconducting state. Photons which strike said material cause a temperature rise and a measurable increase in resistivity of the material that continues until the radiation ceases. The superconducting material for detecting the incident radiation is formed as a strip on microspheres that act as a substrate to make as small a heat sink as possible.

Abstract: This is superconducting infrared sensor for producing output through a superconducting transformer. An increase in infrared light level causes a drop in current through a high temperature oxide superconductor film and its series primary winding and thereby causing an increase in current through a reference resistor and its series primary winding, and as the two primary windings are in bucking relationship, the change in current in the secondary is the sum of the absolute values of the changes in current through the high temperature oxide superconductor film and the reference resistor, and thus the current in the secondary of the transformer is a function of the infrared light level on the granular high temperature oxide superconductor film. A constant bias current source is connected in a manner so that the first series combination and the second series combination are in parallel with respect to the current source.

Abstract: A novel high sensitivity superconductive bolometer is presented in which the detector is kept in its superconducting state during the functional phase. Operation is based on detecting an induced fluxoid motion following a temperature rise caused by impinging infrared radiation. The superconductive-flux-motion-induced bolometer consists of a superconductive film and a pick-up film which are electrically insulated from each other. As the temperature of the current carrying film rises, fluxoid motion is triggered, sweeping through both films so that a voltage is detected in the pick-up film. The superconductive-flux-motion-induced bolometer has higher sensitivity for detection of infra-red radiation than any bolometer known heretofore.

Abstract: A photon detector based upon photon-assisted tunneling in superconductor-insulator-superconductor or super-Schottky structures, in which the superconductor is a high transition temperature superconductor. An electrical bias is provided on either side of such structures so that photo-assisted tunneling, in the presence of incident photons on the structure, can occur to thereby permit a tunneling current therebetween.

Abstract: A Frequency Domain Infrared Superconducting Transmission Line (FIRST) detector is comprised of a folded superconducting transmission line 18 coupled at an input port 18a to a narrow band microwave source and coupled at an output port 18b to a microwave power monitor 22. An optically induced change in the kinetic inductance of the transmission line shifts the transmission line phase velocity and resonant frequency. The shift in resonant frequency attenuates the propagating wave amplitude proportionally to the product of the transmission line Q and the frequency shift. When fabricated with a densely folded superconducting line and operated at a nominal resonant frequency of several GHz the use of either linear or logarithmic Schottky barrier detectors enables a realization of a dynamic range of eight orders of magnitude.

Abstract: A broadband photon detector device that operates using a superconducting material is biased at the temperature where the material changes from a superconducting to a non-superconducting state. Photons that strike the material cause a temperature change and a measurable increase in resistivity of the material. Measuring the increase in resistivity allows the detection of the incident photons. This detector is very sensitive because superconducting leads are connected at one end to the superconducting material and at another end to a sensor that measures the changing resistivity, thereby limiting thermal conduction. Thermal conduction is further prevented in another embodiment in which a sensor is electrically and thermally isolated from the superconducting material. This sensor detects the change in resistivity of the superconducting material through detecting a change in an eddy current established in the superconducting material.

Abstract: The present invention provides an x-ray sensor that converts x-ray radiation into infrared radiation using a high mass number material. The infrared radiation that results from this conversion is then detected using a superconducting detector. The superconducting detector uses a superconducting material for each of a plurality of detector elements that are temperature biased at the superconducting-nonsuperconducting transition temperature. As infrared photons strike one of the detector elements, the temperature of the superconducting detector element increases, which causes an increase in the resistance of the detector element. Using the output of each detector element an image of the original x-ray radiation is obtained.

Abstract: A broadband photon detector device which operates using a superconducting material is biased at the temperature where the material changes from a superconducting to a non-superconducting state. Photons which strike said material cause a temperature rise and a measurable increase in resistivity of the material. Measuring the increase in resistivity allows the detection of the incident photons.

Abstract: A photon detector which uses a superconducting material to detect photons of a specific frequency. The superconducting material is kept in its superconducting state so that resistance in the material does not appear, but incident photons produce a detectable magnetic field within the superconducting material. Sensing this magnetic field in the superconducting in its superconducting state allows for the detection of photons.