Project Title:

Composite High Tc Superconducting Bolometer

08.13-2681
Composite High Tc Superconducting Bolometer
Advanced Technology Materials Inc.
520-B Danbury Road
New Milford
CT
06776
Charles P. Beetz,
Jr.
(203-355-2681)
GSFC

Abstract:

Present detector technology for the submillimeter wave region consists of low-sensitivity,
room-temperature detectors and high-sensitivity, low-temperature detectors. While
the latter detectors have low noise, they are inconvenient to use because they operate
at temperatures less than 1.5 K. The use of high-Tc, superconducting thin films and
low-thermal-mass, low-refractive-index diamond films now makes it possible to construct
a composite bolometer operating in the temperature range 95-125 K with a potential
NEP of about 10-13 W/Hz1/2. The purpose of Phase I is to demonstrate that high-Tc,
superconducting thin films can be deposited on diamond films and that a narrow superconducting
transition can be obtained. Phase II will develop a prototype composite bolometer
for evaluation as a submillimeter wave detector.

Potential Commercial Application:

Potential Commercial Applications:  The project could lead to the commercialization
of high temperature superconducting bolometer infrared detectors.