US 4,361,768 A · Superconducting soliton devices

Abstract

Josephson solitons are steered along selected paths in response to applied control signals, the output path chosen being dependent solely upon the presence and absence of these control signals. An input Josephson transmission line is provided along which the Josephson soliton travels. This input line intersects with two output Josephson transmission lines. Bias currents of opposite polarity in the output transmission lines are used to steer the soliton into a selected one of the output lines. At the intersection of the input line and the output lines an isolating resistor is located. This resistor dissipates the anti-soliton created at the intersection and provides isolation between the input and the output of the device. In a preferred embodiment, one electrode of the input and output Josephson transmission lines can be comprised of a common superconductor and the isolating resistor can be located between the other electrodes of the output transmission line. Path selection is determined solely by the control signal, and is not dependent upon internal damping of the device or the choice of boundary conditions at the intersections.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A device for steering Josephson solitons, comprising in combination:

an input Josephson transmission line capable of supporting a Josephson soliton therein,
at least two output Josephson transmission lines which intersect said input line at a common intersection, said output transmission lines being capable of supporting Josephson solitons therein,
means for introducing a Josephson soliton to said intersection,
control means for selecting one of said output transmission lines into which a soliton from said intersection will move, there being no soliton in the nonselected output transmission line, said control means including:
trapping means located at said intersection for trapping an antisoliton at said intersection,
means located at said intersection for dissipating said antisoliton trapped at said intersection said soliton passing through said trapping means, and
current means for providing simultaneous electrical control currents of opposite polarities coupled to said output transmission lines to attract said soliton into said selected output transmission line and for simultaneously repelling said soliton from said nonselected output transmission line, wherein a single current path is used for the control currents in both of said output transmission lines, the same current flowing in opposite directions in said output transmission lines.

4 more elements

A device for steering Josephson solitons, comprising in combination:

an input Josephson transmission line capable of supporting a Josephson soliton therein,
at least two output Josephson transmission lines which intersect said input line at a common intersection, said output transmission lines being capable of supporting Josephson solitons therein,
means for introducing a Josephson soliton to said intersection,
control means for selecting one of said output transmission lines into which a soliton from said intersection will move, there being no soliton in the nonselected output transmission line, said control means including
trapping means located at said intersection for trapping an antisoliton at said intersection,
means located at said intersection for dissipating said antisoliton trapped at said intersection, said soliton passing through said trapping means,
an inductor electrically connected between said output transmission lines, and
a current carrying control conductor overlying both of said output transmission lines, current in said control conductor producing a magnetic field coupled to said device for producing screening currents of opposite polarity in said output transmission lines, the screening current in said selected output line attracting said soliton and the screening current of opposite polarity in the nonselected output line repelling said soliton.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Superconducting soliton devices

Life of this patent

Superconducting soliton devices

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15