Temperature-sensitive multiple-layer thin film superconducting device
OwnerDonald G. McDonaldinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A superconducting device is disclosed with the device having multiple layers of thin film configured to achieve highly sensitive measurements based upon temperature. The device is implemented, in simplest form, as a stripline having a ground plane layer of superconductor, a configured layer of superconductor, and a dielectric layer between the ground plane layer and the configured layer. The device is operated at a temperature just below the transition temperature of the superconducting materials utilized so that the inductance of the device depends substantially upon temperatures encountered, with highest sensitivity resulting when at least one of the superconducting layers has a thickness that is small relative to the magnetic penetration depth of the superconducting material utilized.
Claims25
A temperature-sensitive superconducting device, comprising:
- a sensor having at least two operationally interacting spaced layers of thin film superconducting material, said spacEd layers being separated by a dielectric, and said sensor being operated at a sufficiently low tempErature such that saiD sensor has an inductance that is temperature dependent based upon a magnetic penetration depth of said superconducting material whereby, when operated at said low temperature, said sensor exhibits an inductance based upon temperature so that said device provides a temperature indicative output.
In a superconductor-based system utilizing temperature variations, a stripline sensing unit comprising:
- an impedance bridge circuit having a plurality of arms formed from supercondcuting material;
- a ground plane formed form supeconducting material;
- a layer of dielectric material positioned between said impedance bridge circuit and said ground plane;
- conducting means for varying the temperature sensed by at least one of said arms of said impedance bridge circuit;
- power means for enabling electrical power to be supplied to said impedance bridge circuit;
- output means connected with said impedance bridge circuit to provide an electrical output from said sensing unit;
- and
- means for causing said sensing unit to be operated at a temperature wherein the inductance of said impedance circuit is temperature dependant based upon a magnetic penetration depth of said superconducting material whereby said sensing unit exhibits a temperature indicative output signal at said output means.
A superconductor-based detection device, comprising:
- asorbing means capable of absorbing at least one of radiation and power from an emitting source and, responsive thereto, causing a temperature change of said absorbing means;
- and
- sensing means formed by a first section of superconducting material having first and second portions, a ground plane section of superconducting material, and a middle section of dielectric material positioned between said first and ground plane sections, said sensing means being operable at a temperature such that the inductance of the sensing means is temperature dependent, said first portion of said first section of said superconducting material being positioned with respect to said absorbing means so as to be responsive to temperature changes thereof, and said sensing means exhibiting an inductance that provides an output accurately indicative of said at least one of radiation and power from said emitting source.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.