Abstract: An electromagnetic resonator has a resonant element made of a high-temperature superconducting material such as YBa2Cu3O7−x. The resonant element has a substrate coated with a thermally conductive layer such as silver, over which the high-temperature superconductor material is placed. The thermally conductive layer distributes heat along the length of the resonant element to minimize the effects of localized heating at, for instance, the center of the resonator. The resonant element is held to a housing by a mounting mechanism including a post made of polycrystalline alumina. The polycrystalline alumina transfers heat away from the center of the resonant element and may be used to suppress spurious response due to second harmonic resonance.

Abstract: A cryostat includes an upper shell and a lower shell connected along a seam. The shells are made of a relatively thin material which would be subject to collapse once the cryostat is evacuated. In order to resist collapsing forces, a brace is placed inside the cryostat between opposing walls of the shells. The brace has a connecter which includes a pin and post that has an opening for receiving the pin. The connectors allow easy assembly and disassembly of the cryostat while still resisting compressive forces.

Abstract: A mechanical coupling device for selectively connecting and disconnecting an apparatus to a thermal source. The coupling device includes a thermal bridge element comprised of a flexible structure having a first coefficient of thermal expansion, and a thermal stress element disposed about the thermal bridge element with the thermal stress element having a second coefficient of thermal expansion. The difference in coefficients of thermal expansion act to cause stressing of the thermal bridge element into thermal contact with the apparatus.