Superconducting Multilayer Technology For Josephson Devices Technology Engineering Physics Applications

Within this book fabrication processes for high-quality Josephson junctions based on niobium and aluminum oxide as well as niobium nitride and aluminum nitride on various substrates are discussed. Techniques for achieving a planar chip topography and sub-μm lateral dimensions, aiding the realization of sophisticated Josephson devices such as SQUIDs, flux-flow oscillators and long Josephson junctions with artificial phase discontinuities, are presented in detail. This work was published by Saint Philip Street Press pursuant to a Creative Commons license permitting commercial use. All rights not granted by the work's license are retained by the author or authors.

This volume is based on the proceedings of the NATO-sponsored Advanced Studies Institute (ASn on The New Superconducting Electronics (held 9-20 August 1992 in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire USA). The contents herein are intended to provide an update to an earlier volume on the same subject (based on a NATO ASI held in 1988). Four years seems a relatively short time interval, and our title itself, featuring The New Superconducting Electronics, may appear somewhat pretentious. Nevertheless, we feel strongly that the ASI fostered a timely reexamination of the technical progress and application potential of this rapid-paced field. There are, indeed, many new avenues for technological innovation which were not envisioned or considered possible four years ago. The greatest advances by far have occurred with regard to oxide superconductors, the so-called high transition-temperature superconductors, known in short as HTS. These advances are mainly in the ability to fabricate both (1) high-quality, relatively large-area films for microwave filters and (2) multilayer device structures, principally superconducting-normal-superconducting (SNS) Josephson junctions, for superconducting-quantum-interference-device (SQUID) magnetometers. Additionally, we have seen the invention and development of the flux-flow transistor, a planar three-terminal device. During the earlier ASI only the very first HTS films with adequate critical-current density had just been fabricated, and these were of limited area and had high resistance for microwave current.

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.

This book includes small and large scale applications of super conductivity. Part I, SQUIDs, comprises about 75% of this volume, and is devoted to small scale applications, mainly .§uperconducting QUantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs), and the remainder, Part H, Machines, presents an updated review of large scale applications of superconduc tivity. The present book combined with the previous book Superconducting Machines and Devices: Large Systems Applications edited by S. Foner and B. B. Schwartz, Plenum Press, New York (1974) represents a detailed and most up-to-date review of the applications of superconducting tech nology. The text of the current book is suitable for advanced undergrad uates or graduate students in applied physics and engineering courses. The book should be valuable to scientists, engineers and technologists interested in the current status and future applications of superconduc tivity technology. The last 7 chapters in Part I review the major nation al efforts on small scale technology and should prove useful for industrial and government planners as weIl as scientists and engineers.

This book contains an interdisciplinary selection of timely articles which cover a wide range of superconducting technologies ranging from high tech medicine (10-12 Gauss) to multipurpose sensors, microwaves, radio engineering, magnet technology for accelerators, magnetic energy storage, and power transmission on the 109 watt scale. It is aimed primarily at the non-specialist and will be suitable as an introductory course book for those in the relevant fields and related industries. As shown in the title several examples of high-c applications are included. While low-Tc is still the leading technology, for instance, in cables and SQUIDS, case studies in these areas are presented.