Sensitive, low-noise superconducting infrared photodetector
US5331162A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 22, 1991 |
| Grant date | Jul 19, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 22, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S505/849
Abstract
A superconducting infrared photodetector employing SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) measurement of fluxon flow in thin superconducting granular films to provide sensitive, low-noise detection of infrared radiation. The superconducting infrared photodetector includes a plurality of superconducting detector elements connected in parallel or series, means for supplying a bias current to the detector elements, and a digital or analog SQUID readout circuit. Each detector element includes a thin granular film of superconducting material which forms a randomly connected array of weakly coupled superconductors. The weakly coupled superconductors promote the formation of oppositely-polarized fluxons, which are driven to opposite sides of the film when subjected to the bias current. Incident radiation causes an increase in this fluxon flow, generating a voltage change. The voltage change is measured by the SQUID readout circuit to provide a sensitive, low-noise measurement of the amount of radiation incident on the detector elements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.