Abstract: A programmable circuit includes a superconducting multi-dimensional array. The programmable circuit further includes a plurality of photon detectors coupled to respective portions of the superconducting multi-dimensional array, each photon detector configured to selectively provide input to a corresponding respective portion sufficient to transition the corresponding respective portion from a superconducting state to a non-superconducting state. The programmable circuit also includes one or more electrical terminals coupled to respective second portions of the superconducting multi-dimensional array.

Abstract: Proposed is a phase shift introduction method, a structure, and a circuit device for eliminating or minimizing a risk associated with dissimilar materials, solving in principle a problem of mixing of a signal current and a control current that occurs due to DC connection of a phase shifter to a signal line, and stably and reliably providing a phase shift that is desired to be introduced without being adversely effected by noise generated by an ambient magnetic field, which is generated due to use of an external power supply. A structure according to the present invention includes a phase shifter 101 and a closed-loop circuit 103 that is directly used for computation or storage, and a quantum phase shift is generated in the closed-loop circuit 103 by using a fractional flux quantum captured by the phase shifter 101 that is DC-separated from the closed-loop circuit 103.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include methods, devices, and systems for fabricating and operating superconducting photon detectors. In one aspect, a photon detector includes: (1) a first waveguide configured to guide photons from a photon source; (2) a second waveguide that is distinct and separate from the first waveguide and optically-coupled to the first waveguide; and (3) a superconducting component positioned adjacent to the second waveguide and configured to detect photons within the second waveguide.

Abstract: A device for single-photon detection comprising two superconducting detectors, a bias-current source, a filter element and a readout circuit. Each detector forms a detection area for absorption of incident photons and is connected in parallel; each detector being maintained below its critical temperature and provided with an electrical bias current situated close to and below its critical current so as to be maintained in a non-resistive superconducting state, and configured to transition, at photon absorption, from the non-resistive state to a resistive state due to an increase in current density within the detector above the critical current. The readout circuit senses a voltage change corresponding to the, allowing creation of an event signal for each absorption of an incident photon by a detector. The device includes a current-redistribution portion for redistributing current arising after absorption of incident photons so as to avoid increases in current density above the critical current.

Abstract: A production line device prepares a superconducting circuit layer on a substrate. The device prepares an under bump metallization (UBM) layer on an upper surface of the superconducting circuit layer. A superconducting connection is formed between the UBM layer and the superconducting circuit layer. The production device prepares a welding spot on an upper surface of the UBM layer to obtain a qubit assembly configured for a flip-chip superconducting quantum chip. A superconducting electrical connection is formed between the welding spot and the UBM layer.

Abstract: A particle trap and an associated method of trapping particles are provided. The particle trap includes a body formed of a high temperature superconductor (HTS). The body defines a cavity therethrough. The particle trap also includes first and second HTS end plates or first and second electrodes positioned at opposite ends of the cavity. At least one of the end plates or at least one of the electrodes defines at least one opening into the cavity to permit charged particles to enter and exit the cavity.

Abstract: A radioactive ray detecting device comprises a superconductor element formed without an underlying substrate, an oxide film formed on a surface of the superconductor element, and a superconductor thin film formed on the oxide film. The oxide film and the superconductor thin film cover substantially an entire periphery of the surface of the superconductor element. The semiconductor element may be formed of a polycrystalline material such as aluminum, or a single crystal superconductor such as one containing tin, lead, niobium or tantalum, and may have a circular cross section or a rectangular cross section.

Abstract: A system and method for using one or more localized weak-link structures, and damping on the electrical bias circuit, to improve the performance of superconducting transition-edge sensors (TES). The weak links generally consist of an area or areas having a reduction in cross-sectional geometry in an otherwise uniform bilayer TES applied to a substrate. The weak links control the dissipation of power in the sensor, making it quieter and making its electrical response smoother and less hysteretic. The TES response is also made smoother by implementing a damping circuit on the electrical output of the TES.

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 first type of superconductive photoelectric device is provided by a superconductive thin film located between two electrodes. The superconductive thin film is one which has a photo-conductive effect and converts from a normally conducting state to a superconductive state in response to light irradiation. The superconductive thin film is preferably formed of a compound semiconductor of Pb chalcogenide added with Pb and/or In added beyond the stoicheometry of the compound semiconductor, such as Pb.sub.1-x Sn.sub.x Te+In, so as to generate precipitations of Pb. A second type of superconductive photoelectric device is provided by a photo-conductive material formed of Pb.sub.1-x Sb.sub.x Te filled in a gap between two superconductive electrodes, where the gap width is shorter than 500 times of a coherence length.

Abstract: A superconductive apparatus having therein at least a superconductive member includes a lithium containing member so as to interrupt neutrons directed to the superconductive member.

Abstract: The present invention relates mainly to a detection cell, a matrix detector using such cells, a sensor including such a detector, and a spectroscope including such a sensor. The invention provides a photon detection cell comprising a superconducting element, in particular of niobium, that is sensitive to photons of the radiation to be detected or to phonons generated by such photons, in particular by breaking Cooper pairs into quasi-particles and by means of a superconducting tunnel junction including a superconducting electrode, the cell being delimited by a plurality of spaced-apart superconducting tunnel junctions that are distributed around the periphery of the cell. The device of the invention is applicable to counting photons, and thus mainly to acquiring and processing information coming from faint radiation sources.

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: A superconducting tunnel junction radiation sensing device includes first and second superconductor electrodes and a tunnel barrier layer interposed therebetween. The tunnel barrier layer is made up of a thin-wall portion and a thick-wall portion each formed of a semiconductor or an insulator, and each having opposite surfaces respectively contacting the first and second superconductor electrodes, and each extending adjacent each other in a same horizontal plane between the first and second electrodes. The thick-wall portion has a vertical thickness which is at least twice that of the thin-wall portion. Furthermore, the thickness of the thin-wall portion is such that a tunnel effect is enabled therethrough form the first electrode to the second electrode, and the thickness of the thick-wall portion is such that a tunnel effect is substantially prohibited therethrough from the first electrode to the second electrode.

Abstract: A multispectral superconductive quantum radiant energy detector and related method utilizing a closed loop of superconductive material having spaced legs, one of which is disposed to ambient. The superconductivity current is divided in the first and second legs according to geometric and kinetic inductances. A ground plane is provided for minimizing the geometric inductance with the loop during injection and removal of the current.

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: An optical reflection band filter structure for selectively blocking radiation within a preselected range of wavelengths is described which comprises a plurality of multipole elements of preselected configuration deposited with prescribed spacing in a periodic array on a substrate of dielectric material, each multipole configuration comprising a central element of metal and having shape corresponding to the overall shape of the multipole and a plurality of spaced metal segments, each space between adjacent segments being filled with a segment of material characterized by a transition from superconducting phase to insulating phase upon being heated to a characteristic transition temperature, each transition segment disposed outwardly from the center of the multipole element having lesser thickness than, or different composition from, the next inwardly disposed transition segment, the innermost transition segments having thickness substantially equal to that of the metal segments and central element.

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 phase shifter having a reference path and a delay path, light sources, and superconductive switches. Each of the superconductive switches is terminated in a virtual short circuit, which may be a radial stub. Switching between the reference path and delayed path is accomplished by illuminating the superconductive switches connected to the desired path, while not illuminating the superconductive switches connected to the other path.

Abstract: An optical modulation method and apparatus uses superconductive oxide material for the optical modulation element. The current, magnetic field, temperature or pressure applied to the superconductive oxide material is varied so as to induce a superconduction-normalconduction transition, and the resulting variation in optical characteristics such as the reflectivity, transmissivity or refractive index of the superconductive oxide material modulate the input light. The method and apparatus are fast in operation and simple in structure. The method and apparatus also detect the variation in the current, magnetic field, temperature or pressure as a change in the reflectivity, transmissivity or refractive index of the superconductive oxide material on the basis of a superconduction-normalconduction transition.

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: An apparatus for the continuous manufacture of high temperature superconducting wires is disclosed. A core on which the superconductive ceramic substance is caused to directionally solidify from the melt is drawn through the melt in such a manner as to obtain an oriented microstructure conductive to high critical current carrying capacity. This also produces a macrostructure with appropriate mechanical strength and flexibility independently of the superconducting substance chosen.

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 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: 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 process is described for enhancing superconductor characteristics by application of strong magnetic and/or electric fields to the constituent component materials from which ceramic superconductors are being formed and during the time that these superconductors are being synthesized. This process has particular applicability to the production of superconducting oxide ceramics such as the cuprates. The required magnetic fields are on the order of 1-10 tesla and the required electric fields are on the order of 0.1-1 MV/cm. The fields act as ordering mechanisms and induce grain orientation. The magnetic field aligns the magnetic moment of the grains. The electric field induces electric polarization in the grains and then aligns them. The superconducting structure formation occurs during the sintering, cooling and annealing phases of the fabrication process. Superconductivity is strongly affected by the oxygen stoichiometry in the lattice elemental cell. Applied electric fields cause elongation of the unit cell.

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 Josephson junction type radiation energy analyzer comprising: a tunnel junction comprising a triple layer of superconductor-insulator-superconductor; and a metal layer which is provided in contact with one of the superconductors of the tunnel junction and to which radiation is incident.