Abstract: A method of generating an electrical discharge in a high pressure gas contained in a sealed enclosure. The method includes driving a helical coil resonator at an RF frequency to generate an RF electric-magnetic field sufficient to generate an electrical discharge in the high pressure gas. The electrical discharge produces an emission spectrum that may be spectroscopically analyzed to determine the composition and impurity content of the gas.

Abstract: A Josephson junction includes first and second electrodes, each of which is formed of superconductive material. The first electrode has a first electrode face. A barrier of the junction extends from the first electrode to the second electrode. The barrier has a first barrier face opposing and adjoining the first electrode face. The barrier is formed of non-superconductive barrier material and superconductive barrier material. A concentration of the superconductive barrier material is greater than zero at the first barrier face, whereby the first barrier face is formed at least partially of the superconductive barrier material.