Nonlinear Superconductive Electronics And Josephson Devices

The on-going developments, and the recent achievements of the superconducting electronics (especially in the field of Josephson junctions and the inherent nonlinear dynamics) inspired us to organize a conference where different groups working on the subject could meet and discuss the latest results of their investigations. This idea was realized as two joint workshops, the NATO Advanced Research Workshop on Superconducting Electronics with Prof. N.F. Pedersen as chairman, and the 2nd Workshop on Josephson Devices, with Profs. G. Costabile and M. Russo as chairmen, held in Capri, Italy on September 3-7, 1990. The Workshops were very successful. About 70 scientists from 12 countries (Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, People's Republic of China, Sweden, United Kingdom, USA, USSR, and Venezuela) enjoyed the many interesting and mostly informal occasions for scientific exchanges as well as the very pleasant weather of Southern Italy. We are very grateful to the Institutions which made possible the realization and the success of the conference with their financial support : NATO Science Committee through the NATO International Scientific Exchange Programmes, University of Salerno, and Istituto di Cibernetica of the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (C.N.R.) of Italy. The conference was held under the auspices of the Progetto Finalizzato "Superconductive and Cryogenic Technologies" of C.N.R. Finally special thanks go to our Conference Secretary Anna Maria Mazzarella for carrying out most of the organizative work, and for her continuous "on stage" support in solving all the problems which inevitably arise in such occasions.

The genesis of the NATO Advanced Study Institute (ASI) upon which this volume is based, occurred during the summer of 1986 when we came to the realization that there had been significant progress during the early 1980's in the field of superconducting electronics and in applications of this technology. Despite this progress, there was a perception among many engineers and scientists that, with the possible exception of a limited number of esoteric fundamental studies and applications (e.g., the Josephson voltage standard or the SQUID magnetometer), there was no significant future for electronic systems incorporating superconducting elements. One of the major reasons for this perception was the aversion to handling liquid helium or including a closed-cycle helium liquefier. In addition, many critics felt that IBM's cancellation of its superconducting computer project in 1983 was "proof" that superconductors could not possibly compete with semiconductors in high-speed signal processing. From our perspective, the need for liquid helium was outweighed by improved performance, i. e., higher speed, lower noise, greater sensitivity and much lower power dissipation. For many commercial, medical, scientific and military applications, these attributes can lead to either enhanced capability (e.g., compact real-time signal processing) or measurements that cannot be made using any other technology (e.g., SQUID magnetometry to detect neuromagnetic activity).

This work provides a review of recent advances in all aspects of superconducting electronics, both for the traditional (4 K) liquid helium based (LTS) materials and the more recent ceramic (HTS) materials that can operate at higher temperatures in the range of liquid nitrogen (77 K).

Selected Topics in Superconductivity, reflects the high level of activity in the discovery of high-Tc superconductivity. Out of the 19 articles that it has, a fairly good number of them discuss several important and fundamental aspects of the high-Tc superconductivity. Some of the issues related to the phenomenon of superconductivity in general are discussed in a few of the manuscripts. The remaining articles deal with superconductivity in unconventional and highly correlated metals

Superconductivity made accessible-a unique introduction. Does superconductivity have to be hard to understand? No, says Alan Kadin, as he proceeds to make the field accessible to engineers, applied physicists, even undergraduate students in electrical engineering. Setting advanced theories aside, Dr. Kadin uses simple circuit models to develop an understanding of the physics of superconductors, then applies this knowledge to superconducting circuits and systems. He covers cutting-edge circuit applications and materials along with practical examples-giving readers insight into the pros and cons of various superconductors and what superconductivity has to offer for different disciplines. End-of-chapter problems as well as numerous conceptual line drawings, circuit schematics, and plots complement the following topics: * The central role of inductance and kinetic inductance. * Transmission line model for RF and dc properties. * Dual circuit transformations to follow vortex and fluxon motion. * A balanced coverage of low-temperature and high-temperature superconductors. * Both large-scale (power) and small-scale (electronic) applications. * Applications of superconducting devices to electromagnetic radiation detectors. * The use of SPICE to simulate Josephson junctions and circuits. *An Instructor's Manual presenting detailed solutions to all the problems in the book is available from the Wiley editorial department.

This wide-ranging presentation of applied superconductivity, from fundamentals and materials right up to the details of many applications, is an essential reference for physicists and engineers in academic research as well as in industry. Readers looking for a comprehensive overview on basic effects related to superconductivity and superconducting materials will expand their knowledge and understanding of both low and high Tc superconductors with respect to their application. Technology, preparation and characterization are covered for bulk, single crystals, thins fi lms as well as electronic devices, wires and tapes. The main benefit of this work lies in its broad coverage of significant applications in magnets, power engineering, electronics, sensors and quantum metrology. The reader will find information on superconducting magnets for diverse applications like particle physics, fusion research, medicine, and biomagnetism as well as materials processing. SQUIDs and their usage in medicine or geophysics are thoroughly covered, as are superconducting radiation and particle detectors, aspects on superconductor digital electronics, leading readers to quantum computing and new devices.

A Josephson Junction is a type of electronic circuit capable of switching at very high speeds when operated at temperatures approaching absolute zero. The Josephson Junction exploits the phenomenon of superconductivity, the ability of certain materials to conduct electric current with practically zero resistance. This book presents new and important research in superconductivity. This book presents leading research from around the world in this exciting field. This includes fabrication techniques, unconventional superconductors, Josephson tunnel junctions, Josephson vortex behaviour, thermomagnetic shock waves and finite temperature effects.

The Josephson Junction is a type of electronic circuit capable of switching at very high speeds when operated at temperatures approaching absolute zero. It exploits the phenomenon of superconductivity, the ability of certain materials to conduct electric current with practically zero resistance. This book presents new and important research in superconductivity. This includes optical properties, magneto-optics and surface acoustic waves, microwave responses, theories of superconductivity, synthesis in electronic applications and high temperature superconductivity.