Superconductor electromagnetic radiation detector

A superconductor electromagnetic radiation detector, comprising:

• (a) a superconductor composite having
• (i) a matrix transparent to electromagnetic radiation wavelengths to be detected;
• and
• (ii) a plurality of superconductor particles dispersed in the matrix, wherein the superconductor particles comprise a superconductor selected from the group consisting of Yba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-.delta., SmBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-.delta., EuBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-.delta., GdBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-.delta., DyBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-.delta., HoBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-.delta., YbBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-.delta., a Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O superconductor, and Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu-O superconductor;
• (b) means for transmitting electromagnetic radiation to the superconductor particles;
• and
• (c) remote means for detecting a physical response of the superconductor particles to electromagnetic radiation;
• wherein the physical response of the superconductor particles to electromagnetic radiation indicates the presence of electromagnetic radiation.

A method of detecting electromagnetic radiation, comprising:

• (a) illuminating a plurality of superconductor particles dispersed in a matrix of a superconductor composite with electromagnetic radiation in the visible, infrared, or microwave regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, wherein the matrix is transparent to electromagnetic radiation wavelengths to be detected;
• and
• (b) remotely detecting a physical response of the superconductor particles to the electromagnetic radiation;
• wherein the physical response of the superconductor particles to electromagnetic radiation indicates the presence of electromagnetic radiation.