Abstract: A Rapid Single-Flux-Quantum (“RSFQ”) encoder output interface device is provided. The RSFQ output interface device includes a variable phase multi-junction voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) that provides multiple clock signals having similar frequencies based on a DC bias current setting. The multiple clock signals are phase shifted from one other based on a flux bias current setting. The clock signals are then mixed together according to logic states of a data stream to provide an encoded output data stream. The encoded output data stream can be in a phase shifted keying (PSK) format. The PSK format can be provided in binary, quadrature or other PSK formats. The Single-Flux-Quantum (SFQ) voltage pulses of the encoded output data stream are converted to a voltage level appropriate for transmitting over a wire.

Abstract: Reduction of the complexity of a Viterbi-type sequence detector is disclosed. It was based on elimination of less probably taken branches in the trellis. The method is applied to the design of the E2PR4 channel with 8/9 rate sliding block trellis code. Coding, by itself eliminates two states by coding constraints, and the disclosed method reduces the number of required ACS units from 14 to 11, while reducing their complexity as well. For the implementation of E2PR4 detection, 4 4-way, 3 3-way, 3 2-way and one 1-way ACSs are needed. System simulations show no BER performance drop at common SNRs when compared with a full 16-state E2PR4 implementation in magnetic disk drives.

Abstract: Device and method of EEPR4 post processing in an EPR4 detection system to remove single bit errors by applying 1+D to the samples and comparing this to (1−D)(1+D)3 to the detected EPR4 bits.

Abstract: The invention is a process for reducing roughness of a surface of a superconductor material (23) having an undesirable surface roughness (30 and 32) and a trilayer superconductor integrated circuit (100). The process for reducing roughness of a surface of superconductor material having an undesirable surface roughness includes coating the surface with an oxide layer (40) to fill the undesirable surface roughness and to produce an exposed oxide surface (42) with a roughness less than the surface roughness; and etching the exposed oxide surface to remove a thickness of the oxide layer followed by removing at least a portion of the oxide layer filling the undesirable surface roughness and a portion of the surface of the superconductor material to produce an exposed etched surface (44) comprised of at least the superconductor material which has a surface roughness less than the undesirable surface roughness.

Abstract: A circuit for inserting a parity signal into a data stream, including a precoder circuit to precode the data stream to be written on a medium by generating a precoded data stream; a parity circuit to generate a parity signal based on said data stream at a predetermined time; and an insertion circuit to insert said parity signal into said precoded data stream.

Abstract: A circuit for inserting a parity signal into a data stream, including a precoder circuit to precode the data stream to be written on a medium by generating a precoded data stream; a parity circuit to generate a parity signal based on said data stream at a predetermined time; and an insertion circuit to insert said parity signal into said precoded data stream.

Abstract: The invention is a process for reducing roughness of a surface of a superconductor material (23) having an undesirable surface roughness (30 and 32) and a trilayer superconductor integrated circuit (100). The process for reducing roughness of a surface of superconductor material having an undesirable surface roughness includes coating the surface with an oxide layer (40) to fill the undesirable surface roughness and to produce an exposed oxide surface (42) with a roughness less than the surface roughness; and etching the exposed oxide surface to remove a thickness of the oxide layer followed by removing at least a portion of the oxide layer filling the undesirable surface roughness and a portion of the surface of the superconductor material to produce an exposed etched surface (44) comprised of at least the superconductor material which has a surface roughness less than the undesirable surface roughness.

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.