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US 5,179,072 AGranted
Multispectral superconductive quantum detector
AssigneeWestinghouse Electric Corp.
InventorNathan Bluzer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multispectural 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.
Claims12
A superconducting quantum multispectral detector, comprising:
- a substrate,
- a first thin film strip of superconductive material overlaying the substrate having opposite ends defining a predetermined length;
- a second thin film strip of superconductive material having a central portion spaced from a central portion of the first strip and having opposite ends integrally attached to the opposite ends of the first strip, the spaced first and second strips defining first and second legs respectively of a closed superconductive loop, the second leg of the closed loop being exposed to ambient photon radiation, said loop being operable in response to the intensity of said ambient photon radiation to change circulating current flowing in the loop, said current representing the change in the kinetic inductance produced by depairing of Cooper pairs and to produce a magnetic field in accordance with the flow of superconducting direct current in the loop;
- and
- read-out means, spaced from and inductively coupled to the defined loop, responsive to the magnetic field for outputting a signal corresponding to the intensity of photon flux striking the exposed second leg.
2 more elements
A superconductive quantum multispectral detector, comprising
- a substrate;
- a first thin film strip of superconductive material overlaying the substrate having opposite ends defining a predetermined length;
- a second thin film strip of superconductive material having a central portion spaced from a central portion of the first strip and having opposite ends integrally attached to the opposite ends of the first strip, the spaced first and second strips defining first and second legs respectively of a closed superconductive loop, the second leg of the closed loop being exposed to ambient photon radiation, said loop being operable in response to the intensity of said ambient photon radiation to change circulating current flowing in the loop, said current representing the change in the kinetic inductance produced by depairing of Copper pairs and to produce a magnetic field in accordance with the flow of superconducting current through the loop;
- means for minimizing geometric inductance in the loop comprises a diamagnetic strip of superconductive material spaced from and between the first and second legs of the defined loop;
- and
- read-out means, inductively coupled to the defined loop, responsive to the magnetic field for outputting a signal corresponding to the intensity of photon reflux striking the exposed second leg.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.