Abstract:
A superconducting circuit that may be utilized as an ultra-high sensitivity voltmeter or a generator generating a voltage having a substantially constant amplitude. A superconductive material having a weak link positioned therein with a voltage of unknown magnitude applied across the weak link. An oscillator has its output coupled to the weak link so that the output signal of the oscillator generates an oscillating current through it. The voltage of unknown magnitude causes an oscillating current to be generated through the weak link with a frequency proportional to the unknown magnitude of the voltage. The weak link mixes the frequency of the two currents and a demodulator detects the frequency of the oscillating current produced by the voltage of unknown magnitude. When the circuit is to be employed as a voltmeter, a frequency meter may be connected to the demodulating means which has a scale readable in voltage units. If the circuit is to be employed as a generator of a voltage having a substantially constant amplitude, a standard frequency may be fed to a comparator that also receives the output from the demodulator. The output from the comparator may be fed back to the weak link and the amplitude of the voltage having a substantially constant magnitude may be read out across a circuit component connected to the superconducting material.
Abstract:
This disclosure relates to a superconducting circuit means that may be utilized as an ultra-high sensitivity voltmeter or a generator generating a voltage having a substantially constant amplitude. It comprises a superconductive material having a weak link positioned therein with means for applying a voltage of unknown magnitude across the weak link. An oscillator has its output coupled to the weak link so that the output signal of the oscillator generates an oscillating current through it. The voltage of unknown magnitude causes an oscillating current to be generated through the weak link with a frequency proportional to the unknown magnitude of the voltage. The weak link mixes the frequency of the two currents and a demodulating means detects the frequency of the oscillating current produced by the voltage of unknown magnitude. When the circuit means is to be employed as a voltmeter, a frequency meter may be connected to the demodulating means which has a scale readable in voltage units. If the circuit means is to be employed as a generator of a voltage having a substantially constant amplitude, a standard frequency may be fed to a comparator that also receives the output from the demodulating means. The output from the comparator may be fed back through suitable means to the weak link and the amplitude of the voltage having a substantially constant magnitude may be read out across a circuit component connected to the superconducting material.
Abstract:
This disclosure relates to an electrical circuit component including a superconductive quantum interference device having a loop of superconducting material with a weak link positioned therein. The loop of superconducting material and the weak link enclose an area for the reception of magnetic flux. Means are positioned adjacent the superconductive quantum interference device for producing a varying magnetic field at the device to induce a current therein. The magnitude of the varying magnetic field is sufficient to induce a critical current in the weak link. As a result, the current induced in the superconductive quantum interference device alternately increases and decreases as the number of flux quanta changes in the area enclosed by the superconducting material and weak link.
Abstract:
This disclosure relates to an electrical circuit component including a superconductive quantum interference device having a loop of superconducting material with a weak link positioned therein. The loop of superconducting material and the weak link enclose an area for the reception of magnetic flux. Means are positioned adjacent the superconductive quantum interference device for producing a varying magnetic field at the device to induce a current therein. The magnitude of the varying magnetic field is sufficient to induce a critical current in the weak link. As a result, the current induced in the superconductive quantum interference device alternately increases and decreases as the number of flux quanta changes in the area enclosed by the superconducting material and weak link. The disclosure also relates to a process of inducing a nonlinear electric current in a superconductive quantum interference device having a loop of superconducting material with a weak link positioned therein. It comprises placing this device in a superconducting state and locating an inductive member magnetically adjacent thereto. A varying current is applied to the inductive device to induce a current in the superconductive quantum interference device. The magnitude of this varying current is sufficient to induce a critical current in the weak link, and, as a result, the current alternately increases to the value of the critical current through the weak link and decreases to some lower value as the number of flux quanta changes in the area enclosed by the superconducting material and weak link.