Low noise preamplification stage
AssigneeSanta Barbara Reseach Center
InventorPaul R. Norton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A preamplifier circuit provides a low noise, low power buffer preamplification stage for interfacing low output impedance, low noise sensors to a readout circuit at cryogenic temperatures. The preamplifier circuit may be formed of discrete components, or it may be formed as an integrated circuit that may have a plurality of channels. Each channel includes a germanium bipolar transistor exposed to a cryogenic environment for providing voltage gain and impedance matching to interface the sensor ouptut with a multiplexer.
Claims33
A circuit for interfacing signals from a sensor with a multiplexer or the like in an environment having a temperature range between 10.degree. K. and 200.degree. K., comprising:
- sensor means exposed to said environment for producing a sensor signal indicative of a physical parameter;
- and
- means, comprising germanium, and exposed to said environment for preamplifying the sensor signal to produce an output signal having an amplitude greater than the sensor signal.
A system for interfacing signals from a sensor array with a multiplexer or the like in a cryogenic environment having a temperature range of 10.degree. K. and above, comprising:
- a substrate;
- a plurality of sensors attached to said substrate in said environment for providing sensor signals in response to a physical parameter;
- and
- a plurality of preamplifier means, comprising germanium, and in said environment for preamplifying the sensor signals to produce a plurality of output signals having amplitudes greater than the corresponding sensor signals.
A method for interfacing the output signal of a sensor with a multiplexer or the like in an environment having a temperature range of 10.degree. K. and above, comprising the steps of:
- producing a sensor signal indicative of a physical parameter with sensor means exposed to said environment;
- and
- preamplifying the sensor signal with preamplifying means, comprising germanium, and exposed to said environment to produce an output signal having an amplitude greater than the sensor signal.
A method for interfacing signals from a sensor array with a multiplexer or the like in an environment having a temperature range between 10.degree. K. and 200.degree. K., comprising the steps of:
- forming a substrate;
- attaching a plurality of sensors to said substrate in the environment for providing sensor signals in response to a physical parameter;
- and
- preamplifying the sensor signals with preamplifying means, comprising germanium, and in the environment to produce a plurality of output signals having amplitudes greater than the corresponding sensor signals.
A preamplifier circuit in an environment including temperatures between 10.degree. K. and 200.degree. K., comprising means for receiving an input electrical signal and means comprising germanium for providing an output electrical signal greater than the input signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.