Tape containing longitudinally distributed superconducting elements

Abstract

A tape (100) is presented that includes a plurality of superconducting elements (110), such as pixels, distributed along the length of the tape, the tape having a size 101 along a first dimension, such as thickness, that is at least 10 times smaller, e.g., at least 100 times smaller, at least 1000 times smaller, than a size 102 along a second dimension, such as width, and the size 102 along the second dimension, such as width, that is at least 10 times smaller, e.g., at least 100 times smaller, at least 1000 times smaller, than a size 103 along a third dimension, such as length. Further provided are uses of the tape 100, methods of manufacturing the tape, and bolometers and / or kinetic inductance detectors that include the tape 100.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tape containing superconducting elements, more particularly to a tape having superconducting elements distributed along the length of the tape, and further to its uses, its manufacturing method, and bolometers and / or kinetic inductance detectors comprising the tape. [Background technology]

[0002] Radiation sensitive elements can be used to detect radiation such as neutron radiation, which can be relevant for many purposes, for example the detection of neutron radiation in neutron beam facilities or nuclear reactors, etc. However, it is often advantageous to use radiation sensitive elements that are more sensitive, can withstand higher levels of incident radiation flux (as present in modern facilities such as nuclear reactors), and / or can facilitate better spatial resolution and / or can obtain spatial resolution from a large area, preferably in a simple manner.

[0003] Furthermore, current radiation sensitive elements, e.g., those that provide spatial resolution from large areas, may require complex fabrication methods and / or fabrication methods that are not practically applicable to industrial-scale manufacturing. It would be advantageous for a radiation sensitive element to be simple and / or industrially applicable, i.e., more applicable to industrial-scale manufacturing, that is more sensitive and / or can withstand higher levels of incident flux of radiation.

[0004] Thus, the improved radiation sensitive element has improved sensitivity, can withstand higher levels of incident radiation flux, can facilitate better spatial resolution, and / or spatial resolution from a large area can be obtained preferably in a simple manner, and / or the manufacturing method is industrially applicable, increasing the applicability to industrial scale manufacturing, e.g., the improved radiation sensitive element is applicable to industrial applications. Summary of the Invention

[0005] It is believed to be an object of the present invention to provide an improved radiation-sensitive element which has increased sensitivity and which can facilitate better spatial resolution, preferably in a simple manner, and / or the manufacturing method is industrially applicable, i.e., increases the applicability to industrial-scale manufacturing. A further object of the present invention is to provide an alternative to the prior art.

[0006] It is therefore contemplated that one or more of the above objects, and optionally certain other objects, may be obtained in a first aspect of the present invention by providing a tape comprising a plurality of superconducting elements, such as pixels, distributed along the length of the tape. The tape has a size along a first dimension, such as thickness, that is at least 10 times smaller, such as at least 100 times smaller, such as at least 1000 times smaller, than its size along a second dimension, such as width. The size along a second dimension, such as width, is at least 10 times smaller than the size along a third dimension, such as length, such as at least 100 times smaller, such as at least 1000 times smaller.

[0007] The tape may be useful for detecting radiation, such as neutron radiation. For example, each superconducting element may function as a radiation-sensitive element, e.g., the superconducting properties may be optionally indirectly affected by radiation, which may in turn be measured, thus enabling detection or measurement of the detection. As an example, the tape may be used as part of a superconducting transition edge sensor (TES), as is commonly understood in the art.

[0008] Superconducting transition edge sensors (TES) can be classified as bolometers, which use the transition edge of a superconductor as a way to detect heat. The superconducting transition occurs near the transition temperature (or critical temperature) TC and has a very steep slope, dR / dT, which means that they can be used as ultrasensitive thermometers.

[0009] The present invention is particularly advantageous, but not limited to, in that by having the superconducting elements on a tape, each superconducting element may be radiation sensitive due to the limited thickness of the tape, which may result in the absorption of radiation reducing the heat capacity of the structure at the location of the superconducting element such that the temperature increases sufficiently to change the electrical properties by a measurable amount.

[0010] Another potential advantage is that by distributing the superconducting elements along the length of the tape, it becomes easier to measure radiation at the location of each superconducting element, thereby achieving good spatial resolution in a simple manner. Thus, multiple spatially resolved measurements may be facilitated by simply placing the tape (i.e., a single spatially extended and optionally flexible structural element) at the location where detection is desired.

[0011] Another advantage may be that the tape can be manufactured as a tape, which may enhance applicability to industrial-scale manufacturing, such that it is industrially applicable. For example, manufacturing of the tape may be performed, such as exclusively via method steps, that are applicable to large-scale manufacturing and / or that are industrially applicable to industrial-scale manufacturing. For example, a manufacturing method may be provided in which each of the manufacturing method steps may be performed with one or more industrially applicable reel-to-reel setups, etching, deposition such as dip coating, etc.

[0012] A "tape" is understood to be an element having the dimensions set forth in the claims. Furthermore, a "tape" may be understood to be at least somewhat flexible, such as being capable of being wound onto a reel.

[0013] "Superconductivity," as commonly understood in the art, optionally refers to the ability of a material to conduct electrical current with substantially zero, e.g., zero, electrical resistance when cooled below a characteristic transition temperature (TC). Superconducting materials may include rare earth barium copper oxides (also known as REBCOs), such as being composed of rare earth barium copper oxides (also known as REBCOs).

[0014] The tape may include a substrate, for example a substrate on which superconducting elements are disposed.

[0015] A "substrate" may be understood as a "substrate suitable for supporting a superconducting element," and thus as a solid element on which a superconducting material is deposited or otherwise disposed, such that the substrate and the superconducting element together may form a superconducting element. The substrate may consist of, or comprise, one or more metallic elements (such as metals, semimetals, semiconductors, and / or metalloids) or alloys. The substrate may also comprise, or comprise, a non-metal, for example, one or more polymers. The substrate may comprise, or comprise a substantially planar surface, such as a plane. The substrate and the superconducting element may together form a coated conductor. The substrate may consist of, or comprise, a composite structure, such as a layered structure. The substrate and the superconducting element may form a layered structure comprising one or more superconducting components.

[0016] The solid elements of the substrate may comprise any material selected from the group including nickel-based alloys, copper-based alloys, chromium-based alloys, iron, aluminum, silicon, titanium, tungsten (also known as Wolfram (W)), silver, Hastelloy, Inconel®, stainless steel, aluminum, and aluminum alloys.

[0017] By "Hastelloy" is understood an alloy whose primary alloying component is nickel to which other alloying components are added, such as alloys containing one or more of the following elements in varying proportions: molybdenum, chromium, cobalt, iron, copper, manganese, titanium, zirconium, aluminum, carbon, and tungsten. In a specific embodiment, Hastelloy is an alloy containing the elements Ni, Cr, Fe, Mo, Co, W, and C. In a more specific embodiment, the alloy also contains the elements Ni, Cr, Fe, Mo, Co, W, and C, and one or more of the elements Mn, Si, Cu, Ti, Zr, Al, and B. In a more specific embodiment, the alloy is understood to include approximately 47% by weight Ni, 22% by weight Cr, 18% by weight Fe, 9% by weight Mo, 1.5% by weight Co, 0.6% by weight W, 0.10% by weight C, less than 1% by weight Mn, less than 1% by weight Si, and less than 0.008% by weight B. Hastelloy is sometimes referred to in the art as a "superalloy" or "high performance alloy."

[0018] "Stainless steel" is commonly known in the art. In certain embodiments, stainless steels are provided that contain nickel and / or chromium to provide stainless steels that are corrosion and / or oxidation resistant, mechanically stable, and non-magnetic at the operating temperatures of the superconducting layer.

[0019] The superconducting element may be part of a coating present on a substrate, for example, the coating comprises a superconducting material, for example, the coating is a multilayer structure comprising a superconducting material, for example, rare earth barium copper oxide (also referred to as REBCO), or bismuth strontium calcium copper oxide (also referred to as BSCCO), or optionally MgB2 or NbTi, for example, the coating is a high temperature superconductor stack. REBCO may in embodiments be, for example, YBa2Cu3O7 or GdBa2Cu3O7, or YBa2Cu3O 7-x and the like, where x is between 0 and 1.

[0020] "Coating" is understood as is common in the art, for example, a layer, e.g., a thin layer, of material is applied to a substrate. Application of the coating may be performed in several ways, such as die coating, bubble jet coating, inkjet coating, physical vapor deposition (e.g., pulsed laser deposition and / or sputter deposition), chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition (ALD), metalorganic chemical vapor deposition, or any line-of-sight process. The coating, optionally together with at least a portion of the substrate, may form a second-generation high temperature superconducting coating conductor.

[0021] The structure and / or texture of the superconducting material in the coating may be imparted to the superconducting layer through the substrate and / or through another layer in the coating, such as a buffer layer.

[0022] The term "buffer (layer)" is understood as is common in the art, e.g., to optionally provide structure, such as crystalline structure, and / or texture to the superconducting layer, and / or to optionally provide an inert chemical barrier, e.g., Examples of buffer layers include Al2O3, YO3, MgO, Gd-Zr-O, LaMnO3, and SrTiO3.

[0023] By "superconductor stack" may be understood a layered structure, optionally with separate layers, such as a composite structure comprising a buffer layer (e.g., 0.1-2 micrometers) and a superconducting layer (e.g., rare earth-based barium copper oxide (REBCO) with a thickness of e.g., 0.01-5 micrometers). The superconductor stack may be a high temperature superconductor stack.

[0024] "Radiation" is generally understood as is common in the art, such as to refer to particle radiation (such as neutrons, alpha, and / or beta rays) and / or electromagnetic radiation (such as x-rays, gamma rays, terahertz waves, infrared, and / or visible light). In certain embodiments, "radiation" is understood to refer to neutron radiation.

[0025] According to one embodiment, a tape is presented in which the longitudinal direction of the tape is the length of the tape.

[0026] According to one embodiment, a tape is presented in which the longitudinal direction of the tape is parallel to the third dimension.

[0027] According to one embodiment, a tape is provided, the longitudinal direction of the tape being along the largest dimension of the tape. A potential advantage is that the largest dimension of the tape can be utilized for the distribution of superconducting elements, potentially providing more space (e.g., one-dimensional space), for example, having more superconducting elements, more space for each superconducting element, more space between adjacent superconducting elements, and / or more space between the most distant superconducting elements.

[0028] According to one embodiment, a tape is provided in which the first dimension measures thickness, the second dimension measures width, and the third dimension measures length.

[0029] According to one embodiment, a tape is presented in which the plurality of superconducting elements (110) are pixels. It can be understood that the superconducting material of the superconducting elements may themselves form the pixels, such as in the form of a serpentine arrangement of superconducting material, and / or that the superconducting material of the superconducting elements forms the pixels together with one or more other features of the superconducting elements (such as holes in a layer of radiation absorbing material and / or otherwise surrounding layers).

[0030] A "pixel" may be understood as is common in the art to refer to a discrete element, such as a discrete sensing element, e.g., a discrete sensing element of a sensor. A pixel may allow for spatially resolved detection, e.g., 2D or 3D spatially resolved detection, e.g., detection that allows for spatially resolved detection along the length of the tape. In an embodiment, each pixel may have a structure that is different from the surrounding (fully surrounding) structure of the tape, e.g., any one of the following: - different material compositions of the superconducting materials, such as doping levels that differ from the doping levels of adjacent superconductors, or - Differences between one or more adjacent layers of superconducting material in a superconducting element, e.g. or comprising an absorbing layer, such as a radiation absorbing layer, e.g. a neutron absorbing layer; It does not include layers that surround the pixels and are adjacent to the pixels, for example, layers that are metallization layers and / or protective layers such as silver layers.

[0031] Each superconducting element, such as each pixel, may have a size along its longitudinal dimension of 100mm or less, such as 75mm or less, for example 50mm or less, such as 25mm or less, for example 10mm or less, such as 5mm or less, for example 2mm or less, for example 1mm or less.

[0032] Each superconducting element, such as each pixel, may have a size along its longitudinal dimension that is less than 50% of the size of the tape along the third dimension, such as less than 25% of the size of the tape along the third dimension, such as less than 10% of the size of the tape along the third dimension, such as less than 1% of the size of the tape along the third dimension.

[0033] The aspect ratio, eg, the aspect ratio of the dimensions along the second dimension (eg, width) and the third dimension (eg, length) of a pixel, may be less than 10, such as less than 5, eg, less than 2.

[0034] According to one embodiment, a tape is presented in which the superconducting elements in the plurality of superconducting elements are spatially separated from one another by a finite distance measured in the longitudinal direction, such as a non-zero distance, such as an edge-to-edge distance between adjacent superconducting elements of at least 1 nm, e.g., at least 1 μm, e.g., at least 10 μm. The spatial separation may be advantageous to enable electrical separation. It may be understood that the material in the gaps between the superconducting elements is not superconducting. A "finite distance" is understood to be neither infinitely small nor infinitely large.

[0035] According to one embodiment, a tape is provided in which the dimension of each superconducting element measured in the longitudinal direction of the tape is less than 10 cm, such as less than 5 cm, for example less than 1 cm, for example less than 5 mm, for example less than 2 mm, for example less than 1 mm.

[0036] According to one embodiment, a tape is provided in which the dimension of each superconducting element measured in the longitudinal direction of the tape is at least 0.1 mm, such as at least 0.5 mm, such as at least 1 mm, such as at least 2 mm.

[0037] According to one embodiment there is provided a tape, wherein the distance along the length of the tape between the two superconducting elements which are furthest apart from one another is at least 5 mm, such as at least 10 mm, for example more than 10 mm, such as at least 11 mm, for example at least 12 mm, for example at least 13 mm, such as at least 15 mm, for example at least 20 mm, for example at least 30 mm, such as at least 40 mm, for example at least 50 mm, for example at least 100 mm, such as at least 500 mm, for example at least 1 m, for example at least 5 m, for example at least 10 m, such as at least 50 m, for example at least 100 m, for example at least 1 km. "Distance along the length of the tape between two superconducting elements" may be understood as the distance from one end of the tape to the other, for example the shortest distance along the length of the tape from the outer periphery of one superconducting element to the outer periphery of another superconducting element. A potential advantage of this embodiment may be that it facilitates, e.g., in a simple manner, spatially distributed measurements of radiation, e.g., measurements distributed over a large distance, e.g., measurements corresponding to the distance between at least two superconducting elements being the furthest apart from each other. For example, simply arranging the tape (i.e., a single structural element) in an arbitrary linear configuration immediately results in the superconducting elements (i.e., multiple superconducting elements) being arranged in a spatially distributed manner. A potential advantage of having such a distance (e.g., a relatively large distance) between two superconducting elements may be that it allows for improved accuracy of spatial resolution (e.g., by arranging the tape farther from a radiation source, such as a point source, the angular value of the emitted radiation can be determined more accurately while still covering a large angular interval). The signal from each superconducting element may be read from the same position or closely spaced positions, e.g., adjacent positions (such as via contact pads at the ends of the tape), so that the total length over which the electrical signal must be transmitted is the distance along the length of the tape between at least two superconducting elements; in this case, it may be particularly advantageous for the tape to include one or more superconducting conductors, e.g., HTS conductors, making it possible to electrically address each of the superconducting elements from said positions.

[0038] According to one embodiment, a tape is presented in which the distance along the length of the tape between the two superconducting elements that are furthest apart from one another is at least 50 mm.

[0039] According to one embodiment, a tape is presented in which the distance (112) along the length of the tape between the two superconducting elements that are furthest apart relative to one another is at least 1 m.

[0040] According to one embodiment, a tape is provided in which the closest adjacent distance along the tape length between two superconducting elements is at least 5 mm, for example at least 10 mm, for example at least 50 mm, for example at least 100 mm, for example at least 500 mm, for example at least 1 m, for example at least 5 m, for example at least 10 m, for example at least 50 m, for example at least 100 m, for example at least 1 km. The "closest adjacent distance along the tape length between two superconducting elements" may be understood as the end-to-end distance, e.g., the shortest distance along the tape length from the periphery of one superconducting element to its closest adjacent superconducting element. A possible advantage of this embodiment may be a reduction in the number and / or amount of superconducting element material while still ensuring that the superconducting elements are spatially distributed. For example, rather than all superconducting elements being closely spaced relative to one another, the same number of pixels can be distributed along a greater length such that at least some of the pixels have the minimum closest neighbor distance, i.e., multiple superconducting element "pixels" can span a greater length for the same number of electrical connections.

[0041] According to one embodiment, a tape is presented in which the closest adjacent distance along the length of the tape between two superconducting elements is less than 1 m, such as less than 50 cm, for example less than 10 cm, such as less than 1 cm, for example less than 5 mm. The advantage is that a higher resolution can be achieved and / or the superconducting elements can be packed more densely.

[0042] According to one embodiment, a tape is provided in which the average closest neighbor distance along the tape length between superconducting elements is at least 5 mm, e.g., at least 10 mm, e.g., at least 50 mm, e.g., at least 100 mm, e.g., at least 500 mm, e.g., at least 1 m, e.g., at least 5 m, e.g., at least 10 m, e.g., at least 50 m, e.g., at least 100 m, e.g., at least 1 km. Thus, according to this embodiment, not only is there at least one set of superconducting elements having at least the above-mentioned closest neighbor distance, but the average closest neighbor distance of all superconducting elements on the tape is at least the predetermined distance. An advantage may be a reduction in the number and / or amount of superconducting element material while still ensuring that the superconducting elements are spatially distributed over a relatively large distance.

[0043] According to one embodiment, a tape is presented in which the average nearest neighbor distance along the length of the tape between superconducting elements is less than 1 m, such as less than 50 cm, for example less than 10 cm, such as less than 1 cm, for example less than 5 mm. The advantage is that a higher resolution can be achieved and / or the superconducting elements can be packed more densely.

[0044] According to one embodiment, a tape is presented in which the tape further comprises one or more conductors, e.g., superconducting conductors such as HTS conductors, allowing one or more individual superconducting elements to be electrically addressed, e.g., from a spaced apart location along the length of the tape from each of the one or more individual superconducting elements, e.g., a location at least 1 cm, e.g., at least 10 cm, e.g., at least 1 m, e.g., at least 10 m, e.g., at least 100 m, e.g., at least 1 km apart in the longitudinal direction. A possible advantage may be that the one or more conductors obviate the need for a readout at the detection site, such that an external device (e.g., a measurement probe external to the tape) electrically connects the superconducting element at the location of the superconducting element, e.g., at the detection site. This may in turn be advantageous in allowing peripheral measurement devices, such as measurement electronics, to be simply and / or in a well-organized manner in one single location (e.g., connected to the ends of one or more conductors, optionally connected to the ends of the tape) and have spatially distributed detection. Another potential advantage may be the elimination of the need to have measurement electronics at the detection location (which may be under harsh conditions, such as high intensity and high energy neutron radiation, which may be harmful to the electronics.) The advantage of the one or more conductors being superconducting conductors, such as HTS conductors, may be particularly pronounced when the distance along the length of the tape between a position spaced from each of the one or more individual superconducting elements and the one or more individual superconducting elements is large.

[0045] Each of the one or more conductors may be electrically connected (at one end of the conductor) to a superconducting element (e.g., a unique superconducting element, e.g., a superconducting element unique to each conductor) and may be connected (at the other end of the conductor) to a location spaced apart from each of one or more individual superconducting elements. Each conductor may physically span and electrically connect a path between a superconducting element and a location spaced apart from the superconducting element, which may allow one or more individual superconducting elements to be electrically addressed from a location spaced apart from the one or more individual superconducting elements in a direction along the length of the tape.

[0046] One or more of the conductors may have different material properties relative to the superconducting element.

[0047] According to one embodiment, each conductor, for example each conductor that allows for individual addressing of each superconducting element, is superconducting and has a transition temperature of: Between 255K and 275K, for example, 260K and 270K, for example, 265K, Between 150K and 170K, for example, 155K and 165K, for example, 160K, Between 120K and 140K, for example, 125K and 135K, for example, 130K, Between 100K and 120K, for example, 105K and 115K, for example, 110K, Between 81K and 101K, for example, 86K and 96K, for example, 91K, Between 80K and 100K, for example 85K and 95K, for example 90K, Between 67K and 87K, for example, 72K to 82K, for example, 77K; Between 40K and 60K, for example 45K and 55K, for example 50K, Between 20K and 40K, for example, 25K and 35K, for example, 30K, Between 10K and 30K, for example 15K and 25K, for example 20K, Between 2.2K and 6.2K, for example 3.2K to 5.2K, for example 4.2K, Between 1K and 3K, for example 1.5K and 2.5K, for example 2K, or The tape is presented between 0K and 1K, for example between 50mK and 200mK, for example 100mK.

[0048] According to one embodiment, a tape is presented in which each conductor, e.g., each conductor that allows for individual addressing of each superconducting element, is superconducting and has a transition temperature that is different from the transition temperature of each of the superconducting elements. The difference in transition temperature (TC) between each superconducting element and each conductor is at least 0.1 K, e.g., at least 1 K, e.g., at least 10 K, e.g., at least 20 K, e.g., at least 50 K. The transition temperature of each conductor may be higher than the transition temperature of each superconducting element. In one embodiment, the transition temperature of each superconducting element is in the range of 0 K to 50 K, e.g., in the range of 10 K to 30 K, e.g., 20 K, and / or the transition temperature of each conductor is in the range of 60 K to 120 K, e.g., in the range of 80 K to 100 K, e.g., 90 K.

[0049] According to one embodiment, a tape is presented in which each conductor, e.g., each conductor that allows for individual addressing of each superconducting element, is superconducting and has a transition temperature different from that of each superconducting element, and each superconducting element forms a coherent superconducting structure with its (corresponding) conductor. "Coherent" elements may be understood as physically connected elements without internal interfaces, such as a change in material properties (e.g., an abrupt change), such as a change in crystal structure. Such a superconducting structure may be achieved by initially having a superconducting structure with a uniform transition temperature and then subsequently changing the transition temperatures of the superconducting elements and conductors (respectively of the corresponding portions of the superconducting structure). Changing the transition temperature may be achieved in many ways, such as, for example, oxygen doping and / or removal (each of which can be performed spatially selectively). Providing such coherent elements with uniform transition temperatures from the beginning may be advantageous in providing a simple and / or efficient manufacturing process.

[0050] According to one embodiment, a tape is presented, the tape further comprising a contact pad for each superconducting element, each contact pad being spaced apart from a corresponding superconducting element and electrically connected to a corresponding electrical element, e.g., via a conductor on the tape, e.g., with no distance between the tape (or the remainder of the tape) and the conductor, the plurality of contact pads allowing each superconducting element to be individually accessed via the contact pads by positioning the tape in a socket having terminals to which the contact pads are electrically connected. This may be advantageous for establishing an electrical connection between a peripheral device and a superconducting element without directly physically connecting the peripheral device to the superconducting element.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the transition temperature of one or more superconducting elements is Between 275K and 255K, for example, 260K to 270K, for example, 265K, Between 150K and 170K, for example, 155K and 165K, for example, 160K, Between 120K and 140K, for example, 125K and 135K, for example, 130K, Between 100K and 120K, for example, 105K and 115K, for example, 110K, Between 81K and 101K, for example, 86K and 96K, for example, 91K, Between 80K and 100K, for example 85K and 95K, for example 90K, Between 67K and 87K, for example, 72K to 82K, for example, 77K; Between 40K and 60K, for example 45K and 55K, for example 50K, Between 20K and 40K, for example, 25K and 35K, for example, 30K, Between 10K and 30K, for example 15K and 25K, for example 20K, Between 2.2K and 6.2K, for example 3.2K to 5.2K, for example 4.2K, Between 1K and 3K, for example 1.5K and 2.5K, for example 2K, or The tape is presented between 0K and 1K, for example between 50mK and 200mK, for example 100mK.

[0052] "Transition temperature" (Tc), as commonly understood in the art, is the temperature at which a transition from the normal state to the superconducting state occurs when a superconducting element is cooled at 1 atmosphere pressure in zero applied magnetic field. When the transition occurs over a finite temperature range, such as a temperature range spanning a temperature difference commonly referred to as ΔTc, the transition temperature may be defined as the midpoint of that range (e.g., ½*ΔTc from either end of the range) and / or as the point on the R(T) curve having the highest value of dR / dT (optionally the global value). The transition temperature is sometimes referred to as the critical temperature.

[0053] According to one embodiment, a tape is provided in which the number of superconducting elements distributed along the length of the tape is 4 or more, such as 5 or more, for example 10 or more, for example 50 or more, for example 100 or more, for example 500 or more, for example 1000 or more, for example 10000 or more. The advantage of this is that the tape allows measurements in a number corresponding to the number of superconducting elements, e.g. one tape facilitates measurements at a relatively large number of spatially distributed positions.

[0054] According to one embodiment, a tape is presented in which the number of superconducting elements (110) distributed along the length of the tape is five or more.

[0055] According to one embodiment, a tape is presented having a plurality of superconducting elements (110) distributed along the length of the tape of 50 or more.

[0056] According to one embodiment, a tape is presented in which each superconducting element is suitable for detecting radiation, such as particle radiation (e.g., neutrons, alpha rays, and / or beta rays) and / or electromagnetic radiation (e.g., X-rays, gamma rays, terahertz waves, infrared rays, and / or visible light).

[0057] "Suitable for detecting radiation" means a rate of 1 cm per second for at least 24 hours, such as at least 50 hours, for example at least 100 hours, such as at least 500 hours, for example at least 1000 hours. 2 Per, 10 8 This may be understood to include the ability to withstand radiation such that when irradiated with an average flux of neutrons (e.g., neutrons having an average energy in the range 1-20 MeV, such as an average energy of 1 MeV), material properties such as Tc and / or Jc remain stable, such as deviating by at most 10%, for example by at most 5%, for example by at most 1%, from their original values.

[0058] "Suitable for detecting radiation" may additionally or alternatively mean that the radiation is detected at a rate of 1 cm per second within a 24 hour measurement period, such as within 1 hour, such as within 1 minute, such as within 1 second, such as within 100 ms (milliseconds), such as within 10 ms, such as within 1 ms, such as within 100 μs (microseconds), such as within 10 μs, such as within 1 μs, such as within 100 ns (nanoseconds), such as within 1 ns. 2 Per, 10 8 It may be understood that the neutrons may be detected in a time-resolved manner, such as the ability to detect an average flux of neutrons, e.g., 1 cm per second. 2 10 per 8 When an average flux of neutrons is on the superconducting element of the tape, it must be possible to measure it within the measurement time mentioned above.

[0059] According to one embodiment, a substrate, and - radiation absorbing layer, A tape containing the following is presented:

[0060] A "radiation absorbing layer" is a layer applied to a superconducting element that enables increased sensitivity of radiation measurements by measuring the electrical properties of the superconducting element, such as by increasing the change in the electrical properties in response to incident radiation, such as neutrons, compared to when the radiation absorbing layer is absent. The thickness (e.g., size along the first dimension) may be up to 10 μm, such as up to 8 μm, for example up to 6 μm, for example up to 4 μm, for example up to 2 μm, for example up to 1 μm. The thickness (e.g., size along the first dimension) may be at least 10 nm, for example at least 100 nm, for example at least 1 μm. A potential benefit of the radiation absorbing layer is increased lifespan of the tape.

[0061] According to one embodiment, -substrate, one or more superelectric elements coated with a radiation-absorbing layer of a first type, and i. covered with a second type of radiation absorbing layer, the first type of radiation absorbing layer being different from the first type of radiation absorbing layer; or ii. Direct access to the surroundings, e.g., not covered with a radiation-absorbing layer; one or more superconducting elements, A tape containing the following is presented:

[0062] A possible advantage of this embodiment may be that it allows for the measurement of different types of radiation and / or that some superconducting elements may generate a signal that can be useful in interpreting signals from other superconducting elements (e.g., when taking into account background radiation subtraction).

[0063] "Sensitivity" is understood as is common in the art, such as the slope of an output characteristic curve (DY / DX), such as the ratio between the change "DY" in output "Y" (e.g., DY is a measure of the change in measured resistance Y) and the change "DX" in input "X" (e.g., DX is a measure of the change in measured incident radiation X). "Improved" sensitivity, such as in a detector employing a TES, is generally understood to be given by a greater slope.

[0064] According to one embodiment, a tape is presented in which a substrate is positioned on an opposite side of a radiation absorbing layer relative to a plurality of superconducting elements such that the plurality of superconducting elements are sandwiched between the substrate and the radiation absorbing layer.

[0065] The sandwich structure is considered and includes only reference to a position in a dimension (at least locally perpendicular) to the substrate; that is, there may be no straight line perpendicular to the substrate and intersecting each of the radiation absorbing layer, the superconducting element, and the substrate. For example, in one embodiment, there is a straight line parallel to the substrate, which intersects the radiation absorbing layer and the superconducting element, but not the substrate. This may be the case, for example, when a portion of the substrate is removed to improve the thermal properties of the tape surrounding the superconducting element. In a specific example, there may also be a radiation absorbing layer on either side of the superconducting element (in which case the substrate is not between the radiation absorbing layers).

[0066] In general, the "plane" of the tape (and / or substrate) is understood to refer to the "local plane" when the tape (and / or substrate) is curved, e.g., the "local plane" is the plane that is tangent at a given location on the tape (the tape may be non-planar at that location and / or other locations), such as at a location such as the center of gravity of a superconducting element.

[0067] In one embodiment, there are multiple superconducting elements on both sides of the substrate (e.g., relative to the plane of the substrate), and optionally the tape further comprises a radiation absorbing layer on one or both sides of the substrate, the substrate being in each case arranged opposite the radiation absorbing layer to the multiple superconducting elements (on that side), e.g., the multiple superconducting elements (on that side) are sandwiched between the substrate and the radiation absorbing layer. If there are radiation absorbing layers on both sides, in this case the substrate is arranged between the radiation absorbing layers.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the radiation absorbing layer comprises: 3 He, 6 Li, 10 B. 157 Gd, 113A tape is presented that includes, for example, at least 10% by weight, e.g., consisting essentially of, e.g., consisting of, one or more of Cd. This may be advantageous for achieving a high absorption cross section for neutron radiation, e.g., a high absorption cross section with relatively little material. A high absorption cross section may result in high sensitivity. In one embodiment, a high absorption cross section may result in higher detector sensitivity due to localized heat generated in the absorbing layer, which is transferred to a superconducting circuit, such as a superconducting meander pattern, and measured as an increase in the resistance of the superconducting meander or part thereof.

[0069] According to one embodiment, a tape is presented that includes a radiation absorbing layer, the radiation absorbing layer including, e.g., at least 10% by weight, e.g., consisting essentially of, e.g., consisting of, one or more of gold (Au) (e.g., gold and chromium (Au+Cr)), bismuth (Bi) (e.g., bismuth-copper (BiCu) or bismuth-gold (BiAu)), and tin (Sn). This may be advantageous for providing a high absorption cross-section for X-ray radiation, e.g., a high absorption cross-section with relatively little material. A high absorption cross-section may provide high sensitivity.

[0070] According to one embodiment, a tape is presented in which each superconducting element is individually electrically addressable, optionally relative to other superconducting elements, at least in part via a conductor, such as a superconducting conductor, to enable spatial resolution of radiation incident on the tape along the tape's length. Multiple superconducting elements, such as each superconducting element, may be electrically accessible for a tape including one or more, optionally superconducting conductors, arranged within or on the surface plane of the tape and / or tape substrate (which plane may coincide with the plane of the superconducting elements and / or the conductor material may be similar or identical to that of the superconducting elements). According to one example, each superconducting element is electrically accessible via a conductor on one side of the superconducting element and another conductor on the other side (e.g., sides spaced apart in the plane of the tape and perpendicular to the tape's length), allowing the electrical properties of that particular superconducting element to be probed, optionally at the end of the tape, via the conductors. According to another example, all superconducting elements are connected on one side to a common conductor, such as a ground conductor, and the other side of each superconducting element is connected to a dedicated conductor. According to this alternative embodiment, each superconducting element can be electrically probed via a common conductor and a dedicated conductor. The advantage of the superconducting elements being individually electrically accessible is that the elements can be individually electrically probed, which may optionally allow spatially distributed detection from one or more spatially distinct points, for example from the end of the tape.

[0071] Each superconducting element may be individually electrically addressable due to the tape including one or more conductors electrically connected (at one end of the conductor) to a superconducting element (e.g., a unique superconducting element, e.g., a unique superconducting element for each conductor) and electrically connected (at another end of the conductor) to a spaced apart location from each of one or more individual superconducting elements.

[0072] According to one embodiment, a tape is presented in which each superconducting element includes at least a portion of a superconducting material shaped into a meandering pattern. The term "meandering" is commonly understood in the art. An advantage of this may be that a given input power results in a larger output power, such as improved sensitivity.

[0073] The serpentine structure may be a (double) serpentine structure or a (double) spiral, for example a rectangular spiral.

[0074] According to one embodiment, a tape is presented in which the superconducting elements each comprise a serpentine structure, e.g., a serpentine structure of superconducting material, and the dimensions, width along a first dimension and / or a second dimension, e.g., line width within the serpentine structure, are within 1 μm to 100 μm, e.g., within 20 μm to 50 μm, which may be beneficial for detection sensitivity and / or lifetime.

[0075] According to one embodiment, a tape is provided in which each superconducting element comprises a serpentine structure, e.g., a serpentine structure of superconducting material, and the dimension of the serpentine structure along a first dimension, e.g., thickness, is within 50 nm to 5 μm, e.g., within 50 nm to 3 μm, which may be beneficial for detection sensitivity and / or lifetime.

[0076] According to one embodiment, a tape is presented in which each superconducting element is a high temperature superconducting element. "High temperature superconductivity," often abbreviated as "HTS" or "high TC," is commonly understood in the art to refer to the ability of a material to become superconducting at temperatures above 30 K, e.g., above 77 K.

[0077] According to one embodiment, a tape is provided that can be bent, e.g., without breaking or rupturing, to a radius of curvature of less than 1 m, e.g., less than 50 cm, e.g., less than 25 cm, e.g., less than 10 cm, e.g., less than 5 cm, e.g., less than 30 mm, e.g., less than 25 mm, e.g., less than 20 mm, e.g., less than 10 mm, e.g., less than 5 mm, e.g., a radius of curvature varying between less than 10 mm, e.g., less than 5 mm, e.g., 100 mm or more, e.g., 1 m or more. This advantage can be that the tape can be bent (or shaped) to accommodate a small amount of space, such as on a reel, and / or can be spatially adapted to a particular application, e.g., bent to fit the interior surface of a nuclear reactor or the exterior surface of a satellite. Another potential advantage can be that the tape is less brittle and / or less prone to breakage, e.g., the ability to bend allows the tape to bend rather than break under the influence of an applied force. The ability to bend can be achieved by employing a sufficiently thin and / or sufficiently flexible material for the fabrication of the tape.

[0078] According to one embodiment, a tape is provided that can be bent to a radius of curvature of less than 20 mm, eg, bent without breaking or rupturing, eg, bent elastically.

[0079] According to one embodiment, a tape is presented that includes a plurality of superconducting elements distributed along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tape, e.g., so that radiation entering the tape can be spatially resolved in at least two dimensions. An advantage of this is that more data may be obtained for each point along the longitudinal direction, allowing, for example, averaging values ​​from multiple superconducting elements at a longitudinal position. Another potential advantage may be that having multiple superconducting elements at a longitudinal position increases the likelihood that measurements can be performed for a longitudinal position, e.g., if one superconducting element fails, other superconducting elements at the same longitudinal position can be probed. Another advantage may be that two-dimensional spatial resolution can be achieved with a single tape.

[0080] According to one embodiment, a tape is presented in which one or more of the superconducting elements in the plurality of superconducting elements define a plane that is not parallel (e.g., tilted), e.g., angled at an angle of at least 1°, e.g., at least 5°, e.g., at least 10°, e.g., at least 20°, e.g., at least 30°, e.g., at least 40°, e.g., at least 45°, e.g., at least 60°, e.g., at least 75°, with respect to the plane of the tape, e.g., with respect to a plane defined by a portion of the tape adjacent, e.g., adjacent, to each of the one or more superconducting elements. A potential advantage may be that the path length of radiation through one or more superconducting elements (and optionally through an absorbing layer, if present) can be changed, e.g., increased, thereby resulting in increased sensitivity (assuming the same amount of radiation is incident). Another potential advantage may be that sensitivity may be improved by changing the orientation of the superconducting element (and any overlying absorbing layer, if present) so that a greater amount of radiation is incident on the superconducting element (and any overlying absorbing layer, if present), for example, to reduce the minimum angle between the normal vector (or a vector antiparallel to the normal vector) of the superconducting element (and any overlying absorbing layer, if present) and the direction of the incident radiation.

[0081] According to one embodiment, a tape is presented that includes a substrate having protrusions, through-holes, and / or pillars at the locations of the superconducting elements, and optionally having undercuts. Such protrusions, through-holes, and / or pillars may be realized, for example, by cold rolling, etching, and / or deposition during manufacturing. A potential advantage may be improved thermal properties of the tape surrounding the superconducting elements (e.g., reducing heat conduction from the superconducting elements and redirecting a larger portion of the energy absorbed from radiation to increasing the temperature of the superconducting elements, thus improving sensitivity). An effect of the protrusions, through-holes, and / or pillars may be that heat conduction from the superconducting element is reduced compared to when the protrusions, through-holes, and / or pillars are not present, e.g., when the superconducting element is positioned on the tape surface flush with the remainder of the tape surface (e.g., the surface portion of the tape at the superconducting element, together with adjacent, e.g., adjacent, e.g., surrounding, portions of the surface of the tape, form a single smooth surface, e.g., planar), and the tape is substantially rectangular, e.g., rectangular (e.g., no pillars, no through-holes, no protrusions), at least at the location of the superconducting element.

[0082] According to one embodiment, a tape is provided having a substrate (108), the substrate comprising: - protrusions with undercuts, and / or - pillars (1426) with undercuts at the location of the superconducting elements (110); A potential advantage of the undercut may be that it simplifies production, as the undercut may act to ensure physical separation between the material deposited on each side of the undercut. Another advantage may be that if separation is achieved via the undercut, a separation step via, for example, scribing may be unnecessary, thereby potentially avoiding any adverse effects on the properties of the remaining superconducting material, for example, associated with scribing. Another potential advantage may be that the undercut may act to reduce heat conduction through the protrusions and / or pillars.

[0083] According to one embodiment, a tape is provided in which superconducting elements are present with different absorbing layers (and optionally one or more superconducting elements without absorbing layers). This may be advantageous, for example, for space and / or neutron scattering applications, to enable combination detectors that can detect one or more of neutron, infrared, alpha radiation, etc. For example, it may be advantageous to have an absorbing layer sensitive to neutron radiation in one set of one or more superconducting elements, an absorbing layer sensitive to gamma radiation (the latter being unavoidable) in another set of one or more superconducting elements, and only one pixel sensitive to gamma radiation.

[0084] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bolometer and / or kinetic inductance detector comprising the tape according to the first aspect. A "bolometer" is generally understood in the art to refer to a device that measures radiant heat using a material with temperature-dependent electrical resistance. A "kinetic inductance detector" is generally understood in the art to refer to a detector that detects photons by breaking Cooper pairs through photon absorption (e.g., microwave radiation), thereby increasing kinetic inductance.

[0085] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system, the system comprising: - a tape according to the first aspect, further comprising a contact pad for each superconducting element; and - a socket containing multiple terminals, Including, The multiple contact pads allow for individual electrical access to each superconducting element through the contact pads by positioning the tape in a socket with the terminals in electrical contact with the contact pads.

[0086] The multiple contact pads may allow electrical access to each superconducting element individually through the contact pads by the contact pads and the socket, e.g., the terminals of the socket arranged in a similar geometrically arranged manner, so that when the tape is positioned in the socket, each contact pad makes physical and electrical contact with the terminals of the socket.

[0087] An advantage of this system may be that it facilitates reading out the electrical properties of each of a plurality of superconducting elements in a simple and / or robust manner.

[0088] According to another aspect, a system is presented, the system comprising: a tape according to the first aspect, and -cryostat, Including, The tape is contained within a cryostat.

[0089] A "cryostat" is understood as is common in the art to mean an apparatus for maintaining a temperature below, e.g., much lower than, ambient, such as 273 K. In an embodiment, the cryostat may include at least a window that is transparent to radiation, e.g., transparent to radiation during use, such as when maintaining a sufficiently low temperature for the purpose of maintaining a superconducting element at a temperature below and / or near Tc, e.g., Tc. For example, the cryostat may be formed, in whole or in part, to include at least a window, e.g., made of aluminum, e.g., 3 mm thick, which is effectively transparent to neutron radiation. An advantage is that the system may be used to detect neutron radiation at relatively low intensities. In embodiments, the cryostat may include at least a window that at least partially shields against radiation, e.g., at least partially shields against radiation during use, e.g., when the temperature is maintained low enough to maintain the superconducting element at a temperature below and / or around Tc, e.g., Tc. For example, the cryostat may include at least a window, e.g., a thin layer of partial shielding against neutron radiation.10 A window may be created that includes B, either wholly or partially, e.g., at least includes B. An advantage is that the system can be used to detect neutron radiation at relatively high intensities.

[0090] According to a further alternative aspect, a system is presented, the system comprising: A tape according to the first aspect; Particle accelerators, for example high energy particle accelerators, for example where the tape is arranged to allow for neutron flux monitoring or detection in an area where continuous neutron flux monitoring or detection is required; a nuclear reactor, such as a fusion or fission reactor, wherein the tape is optionally disposed within or on a subshield of the reactor; Magnet coils containing tape for example for magnet protection purposes, a neutron facility, for example a neutron facility, wherein the tape is arranged to enable monitoring or detecting neutron flux at a target station of the neutron facility, for example the neutron facility being a large neutron facility, or Space equipment, e.g., satellites, e.g., where tapes are deployed to monitor or detect space infrared radiation; and one of the following: Includes.

[0091] "Detection" is understood to encompass both binary detection, such as merely qualitatively detecting the presence (yes / no) of some minimum amount of radiation, and quantitative measurement, such that the amount of radiation is quantified. In embodiments, detection is understood as quantitative measurement.

[0092] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a use of a tape according to the first aspect, a bolometer and / or kinetic inductance detector according to the second aspect and / or a system according to any of the third, alternative and / or further alternative aspects for detection, such as spatially resolved detection, of radiation, for example neutron radiation, terahertz radiation, infrared radiation and / or visible radiation. According to an embodiment, the tape according to the first aspect comprises: - monitoring or detecting neutron flux in or at a particle accelerator, for example in an area where continuous neutron flux monitoring or detection is required; - monitoring or detecting neutron flux within a sub-shield of the reactor; - monitoring or detecting neutron flux at a target station of a neutron facility, e.g. a large neutron facility, or -Space-based instruments, e.g. satellites, for monitoring or detecting infrared radiation, e.g. space infrared radiation, It may also be used for

[0093] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of providing a tape according to the first aspect, a bolometer and / or kinetic inductance detector according to the second aspect, and / or a system according to any of the third aspect, alternative aspects and / or further alternative aspects, the method comprising: depositing a plurality of superconducting elements, such as by deposition on a substrate; Includes.

[0094] According to one embodiment, any one or more of the following steps: providing a substrate, wherein depositing a plurality of superconducting elements comprises depositing a plurality of superconducting elements on the substrate and optionally topographically modifying the substrate prior to depositing the plurality of superconducting elements; depositing a radiation absorbing layer on a plurality of superconducting elements; A method is presented that further includes:

[0095] According to one embodiment: depositing one or more conductors, such as superconducting conductors, such as HTS conductors, such that one or more individual superconducting elements can be electrically addressed from a position spaced apart from each of the one or more individual superconducting elements in a direction along the length of the tape by at least 1 cm, such as at least 10 cm, for example at least 1 m, for example at least 10 cm, for example at least 10 m, for example at least 100 m, for example at least 1 km; A method is presented that further includes:

[0096] According to one embodiment, there is provided a method in which one or more conductors comprise a superconducting material, the method comprising: - depositing the superconducting material of the superconducting element (110) and the superconducting material of the one or more conductors is performed in a first step, and optionally the superconducting material of the superconducting element and the superconducting material of the one or more conductors are similar, e.g. substantially identical, e.g. identical; The second step, which follows the first step, involves one or both of the following: i. Superconducting materials for superconducting elements ii. one or more conductors of superconducting material; but, i. the transition temperature of the superconducting material of the superconducting element; and ii. the transition temperature of the superconducting material of the conductor or conductors; The superconductor may be treated to increase and / or introduce (e.g., via different levels of oxygen doping or removal for the superconductor and the conductor) a difference in the transition temperature between the superconductor and the conductor.

[0097] A potential advantage is that this method allows the superconducting material for both the superconducting element and the conductor to be deposited as the same material and / or in the same step, which is beneficial for a fast, cost-effective, and / or efficient manufacturing process. The transition temperatures of the superconducting element and the conductor may be similar, e.g., substantially identical, before the second step. A difference in transition temperature may occur (e.g., if the transition temperatures were the same before the second step) and / or increase (e.g., if there was a difference in transition temperature before the second step) during the second step. The difference in transition temperature (Tc) between the superconducting element and the conductor after the second step may be at least 0.1 K, e.g., at least 1 K, e.g., at least 10 K, e.g., at least 20 K, e.g., at least 50 K. The transition temperature of the superconducting element after the second step may be higher than the transition temperature of the conductor. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0098] The first, second, third, fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one mode of carrying out the invention and are not to be construed as limiting other possible embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.

[0099] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a tape having superconducting elements. [Figure 2] This is an image of a device in which a superconducting element such as a superconducting pixel is formed on a substrate, and this element corresponds to a part of a tape. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram showing details of each serpentine structure. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is an image of a serpentine structure of a superconducting thin film deposited on a tape structure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing three possible ways of electrically connecting the superconducting elements. [Figure 6] This is raw data obtained by measuring the response to a neutron signal using the element shown in Figure 2. [Figure 7]The response to an incident laser beam measured using the device shown in FIG. 2 is shown. [Figure 8] Further data shows that without the absorbing layer, the signal amplitude is significantly reduced. [Figure 9] The setup for acquiring the data in Figures 6, 7, and 8 is shown. [Figure 10] Photograph of the strain in a thin HTS strip coated with a layer of 10B4C. [Figure 11] 1 shows different arrangements of the tape including the substrate. [Figure 12] 1 shows different arrangements of the tape including the substrate. [Figure 13] 1 shows different arrangements of the tape including the substrate. [Figure 14] 1 shows different arrangements of the tape including the substrate. [Figure 15] 15A is a cross section of a plane through component tape 1500 with pixels tilted outward from the rest of the tape. [Figure 16] 18 shows a schematic diagram of the setup employed to obtain the data of FIG. 17. [Figure 17] The data shown are for when the superconducting element is tilted at various angles. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0100] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a tape 100 including a plurality of superconducting elements 110, such as pixels, distributed along the length of the tape (i.e., across the page). The tape has a size 101 along a first dimension, such as thickness (e.g., up and down the page), that is at least 10 times smaller, at least 100 times smaller, or at least 1000 times smaller than a size 102 along a second dimension, such as width (i.e., into or out of the page in the perspective view). The size 102 along the second dimension, such as width, is also at least 10 times smaller, at least 100 times smaller, or at least 1000 times smaller than a size 103 along a third dimension, such as length (i.e., across the page). In the presently depicted embodiment, the tape is formed from a substrate having a rectangular cubic shape, i.e., without pillars, through-holes, or protrusions.

[0101] The distance 112 along the length of the tape between the two superconducting elements that are furthest apart from each other (ie, the leftmost and rightmost in this illustration) is at least 5 mm.

[0102] The closest distance 114 between the superconducting elements along the longitudinal direction of the tape is at least 5 mm, for example at least 10 mm.

[0103] Figure 2 is an image of a device including a substrate carrying a superconducting element, which corresponds to a portion of a tape. The view direction in the image is from top to bottom, corresponding to the direction from above the substrate constituting the superconducting element and perpendicular to the plane of the substrate (corresponding to the up-down direction in Figure 1). The total thickness of the substrate (perpendicular to the plane of the paper) is less than 60 μm. Its width (vertical to the plane of the paper) is 12 mm, and its length (moving left and right within the plane of the paper) is 73 mm. The image shows multiple superconducting elements 210 (8 in total, arranged in two groups of four), each of which includes a serpentine pattern. Each serpentine pattern is enclosed by a square with a side length of 2.15 mm. The image also shows that each superconducting element has a contact pad 214 that is separate from and electrically connected to the corresponding superconducting element. This element is fabricated by obtaining a coated conductor including a substrate having 50 μm of Hastelloy C276, 2-3 μm of a buffer layer (e.g., a buffer layer made of one or more of Al2O3, Y2O3, MgO, Gd-Zr-O, and SrTiO3), 1 μm of REBCO (e.g., GdBa2Cu3O7), and 1-2 μm of Ag. Then, a portion of the silver (Ag) layer is removed to form contact pads and expose the superconductor element. Finally, a 4 μm layer of boron carbide (B2C3O7) is deposited on the superconductor element as an absorber layer. 10 B4C) is provided by adding

[0104] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the details of each serpentine structure, with dimensions given in millimeters.

[0105] Figure 4 is an image of a serpentine structure with a scale bar of 1000 μm.

[0106] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing three possible ways of electrically connecting the superconducting elements to allow electrical access to the superconducting elements from different positions.

[0107] (a) shows each superconducting element with a dedicated conductor extending from the element to one end of the tape. Each superconducting element can be further electrically connected to another conductor (not shown) that allows a circuit to be formed, either via another dedicated conductor or via a common (for all superconducting elements) conductor.

[0108] (b) is similar to (a), except that half of the superconducting elements are electrically connected to the opposite end of the tape, which may be useful for reducing the number of contact pads or other connections at one end of the tape (such as the top of the figure).

[0109] (c) shows each superconducting element having a dedicated conductor extending from the element to the side of the tape. This is advantageous for shorter conductors and / or longer lengths of conductor access. According to one embodiment, multiple tapes of the type shown in (c) can be mounted adjacent to each other, such as in a stepped rack, to jointly cover a larger area and / or provide a more densely packed pixel area.

[0110] Figure 6 shows the raw data measured for the response to a neutron signal using an element like that shown in Figure 9 (one of the superconducting elements with an absorbing layer, i.e., one of the top three superconducting elements out of the four shown in Figure 9). The trapezoidal gray curve in the upper graph indicates the position of the slit that blocks the neutrons. The black curve in the upper graph shows the raw bolometer signal. The triangular black curve in the lower graph is the reference flux measured with a commercial detector, measured as the average value over half the slit's travel period. The gray curve in the lower graph is the source proton current. This figure shows that quantitative detection of particle beams, in this case neutron beams, can be achieved with an element corresponding to a cross section of tape.

[0111] The saturation of the raw bolometer signal indicates that the structure allows for sufficient thermal conduction to avoid overheating even when the CCD flux increases, which may be advantageous for extending the device's lifespan.

[0112] The raw signal of the bolometer rises and falls as the CCD flux increases and decreases.

[0113] Figure 7 shows the response of the device shown in Figure 9 (a superconducting device without an absorbing layer, i.e., the lowest of the four superconducting devices in Figure 9) measured by irradiating it with a laser beam of wavelength 633 nm (i.e., red visible laser light) at a modulation frequency of 4 Hz using an optical chopper. This figure shows that quantitative detection of electromagnetic radiation, in this case visible light, can be achieved with a device equivalent to the cross section of the tape.

[0114] Figure 8 shows that the data in the top graph is similar (but not identical) to the data in the top graph of Figure 6, and the data in the bottom graph is similar (but not identical) to the data in the bottom graph of Figure 6. Furthermore, the middle graph shows data similar to the top graph, except for data from a superconducting element without an absorber layer. In other words, this figure shows measurement data with and without an absorber layer. Pix1 (center) is without an absorber layer, and Pix2 (top) is with an absorber layer. The bottom graph is the reference neutron flux measured with a commercially available detector. It can be seen from this figure that the signal amplitude is significantly reduced without an absorber layer. The portion of the signal in the middle graph that correlates to neutron flex may be due, in whole or in part, to thermal crosstalk (e.g., heat generated in an adjacent absorber layer, e.g., one or more of the superconducting elements with an absorber layer, e.g., superconducting element 810b in Figure 9; this heat is transported via thermal conduction to a superconducting element without an absorber layer, e.g., superconducting element 810a in Figure 9). A non-limiting interpretation of the difference in noise levels is as follows: the absorbing layer (on Pix2) acts as a thermal mass for the highly sensitive superconducting circuit. In this way, the absorbing layer acts to attenuate thermal noise (e.g., high frequencies relative to thermal background fluctuations) measured in the superconducting circuit. The superconducting circuit (associated with Pix1, i.e., without the absorbing layer) is more sensitive to small thermal fluctuations (noise), e.g., due to the lower thermal mass resulting from the absence of the absorbing layer. Alternative and / or additional causes for the difference in noise levels could simply be fortuitous differences in the setup, such as differences in wire bonding.

[0115] FIG. 9 shows a setup applicable to obtaining the data of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, where electrical connections to the superconducting elements are achieved via contact pads 814 (arrows point to only two of the eight contact pads) and wire bonding. In particular, note that the three upper superconducting elements 810b (each of which corresponds to Pix2 in Figure 8) are covered with an absorbing layer, whereas the lower superconducting element 810a (which corresponds to Pix1 in Figure 8) is not covered with an absorbing layer.

[0116] Figure 10 shows the side of the tape with the REBCO layer facing outwards, with a 4 μm 10 This is a photograph of the strain of a B4C-coated HTS strip. Data (not shown) confirms that the strip remains superconducting even at 77 K, with stable material properties such as Tc and Jc remaining stable with deviations of less than 10%. The radius of curvature measured from the bottom of the sample is approximately 34 mm. This provides HTS tapes that can be bent to a radius of curvature of, for example, 10 mm without degrading their superconducting properties. See, for example, the paper "Bending radius limits of different coated REBCO conductor tapes - an experimental investigation with regard to HTS undulators," Richter et al., 12th International Particle Accelerator Conference (IPAC 2021), May 24-28, 2021, Brazil, pp. 3837-3840, 2021, and / or this paper. ” See “Bending properties of different REBCO coated conductor tapes and Roebel cables at T = 77K”, Simon Otten et al., Supercond, Sci. Technol 29 125003, 2016, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0117] 11 to 14 show different arrangements of the tape including the substrate, each of which is a cross-sectional view of a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tape and intersecting the superconducting element.

[0118] 11 shows a tape 1100 that includes a rectangular parallelepiped substrate 1108, a superconducting element 1110, and an absorber layer 1120. The thick grey arrows indicate that heat can be dissipated in multiple directions from the superconducting element 1110 through the substrate.

[0119] FIG. 12 shows a tape similar to that of FIG. 11, except that a superconducting element 1211 and an absorbing layer 1222 have been added on the opposite side of the substrate relative to the superconducting elements of FIG. 11, resulting in a tape in which the substrate is sandwiched between the superconducting elements on either side, with an absorbing layer positioned distal to each superconducting element relative to the substrate.

[0120] Figure 13 shows a tape similar to that of Figure 11, except that a portion of the substrate below the superconducting element has been removed, leaving a hole 1324 directly below the superconducting element (but not along the entire length of the tape, as indicated by the dashed line below the substrate). The thick grey arrows indicate that heat can dissipate in multiple directions from the superconducting element through the substrate, but not directly downward, i.e., less heat can be dissipated compared to the embodiment of Figure 11. The figure also shows an additional absorbing layer 1322 positioned on the opposite (below) side of the superconducting element relative to the superconducting element positioned above it.

[0121] Figure 14 shows a tape similar to that of Figure 11, except that posts 1426 are positioned directly below the superconducting elements. The thick grey arrows indicate that heat can dissipate through the substrate and away from the superconducting elements, but only directly downward, i.e., less heat can be dissipated compared to the embodiment of Figure 11. The posts have undercuts to further reduce heat conduction through them.

[0122] 15 is a cross-sectional view of a plane through component tape 1500 that is parallel to the length of the tape and the normal vector to the plane of the tape, and that intersects superconducting element 1510. A portion of substrate 1530 is released and fixed at point 1532 to the remainder of substrate 1508 to allow tilting of the superconducting element.

[0123] Figure 17 shows the data when the superconducting element is tilted at various angles. For example, the signal peak obtained at 0° is consistently higher than the signal peak obtained at 75°.

[0124] According to one embodiment, the tape is bent (e.g., to conform to the shape of another element, such as the interior of a fusion reactor), while the superconducting elements are tilted, e.g., to negate an angle (e.g., between the normal vector of the tape and the incident radiation) caused by the bending for at least some of the superconducting elements. In a particular embodiment, the tape is formed to form a hemisphere or sphere whose center is substantially coincident with the radiation source, and one or more superconducting elements are tilted such that the angle between the surface normal of the superconducting element and the incident radiation is smaller than the angle between the surface normal of an adjacent tape and the incident radiation.

[0125] FIG. 16 shows a schematic of the setup employed to obtain the data of FIG.

[0126] Example of manufacturing method (1) Fabrication of tapes, such as composite tape-based detectors, can require multiple manufacturing steps that are large-scale and industrially viable using one or more reel-to-reel processes. The manufacturing steps for the detector unit shown in Figures 2 and 9 include electropolishing the substrate, deposition of the buffer and REBCO layers, deposition of a metal protective layer, patterning of the REBCO layer by UV lithography, pattern etching, deposition of the absorber layer, and final wiring.

[0127] Substrate reel-to-reel electropolishing of several meters of cold-rolled 0.050 mm × 12 mm Hastelloy C276 tape is performed in a heated (40–70°C) mixture of sulfuric and phosphoric acids by applying an appropriate direct current (100–1000 mA / cm) between the tape and one or more opposing electrodes. 2 ) is allowed to flow for several minutes to obtain a smooth substrate surface.

[0128] The buffer layer is deposited using alternating beam deposition or ion beam-assisted deposition of MgO (layer thickness approximately 10-30 nm) or yttrium-stabilized zirconium (YSZ, layer thickness approximately 1-2 μm) with the ion beam incident at a 55° angle to the tape surface, i.e., relative to the rolled cross section of the substrate, allowing for strong texturing of the buffer layer. The textured buffer layer is then further coated with an additional layer, such as CeO, to improve the lattice match between the buffer layer stack and the adjacent REBCO layer.

[0129] For example, deposition of 100 nm or 1 μm thick REBCO reel-to-reel layers (YBa2Cu3O 7-x or GdBa2Cu3O 7-x , or the mixture (Gd,Y)Ba2Cu3O 7-x The REBCO layer is then coated with a 1-2 μm Ag protective layer by sputtering or electron beam evaporation. An oxygenation step, in which the Ag-coated stack is heated above 250°C and exposed to oxygen gas, increases the oxygen content in the REBCO layer, thereby providing a superconducting structure.

[0130] The serpentine patterning is achieved by applying photoresist on top of the Ag layer and baking it at 100-120°C for several minutes. The photoresist is then exposed to UV light through a master of the serpentine pattern using a continuous process, for example, between 10 and 60 seconds. Here, the photoresist-coated HTS tape is rolled around a rotating large-area glass cylinder containing the serpentine shape and a central UV light source.

[0131] Next, the development of the serpentine structure shown in Figures 3 and 4 is carried out by subjecting the exposed photoresist-coated tape to a developer, such as a diluted sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate solution heated to 20-50°C, for example, for 10-100 seconds. As a result, the photoresist coverage conforms to the structure provided by the serpentine-patterned master (see Figure 3).

[0132] As shown in Figure 4, etching the serpentine structure into the REBCO and Ag layers can be accomplished chemically in two steps. First, the unprotected (not covered by photoresist) portion of the Ag layer is immersed in a stirred dilute nitric acid mixture (e.g., 5–30%) at 20 °C for 5–50 seconds, or in a stirred mixture of NH3OH (10%), HO2 (10%), and water for several minutes at 20 °C until the unprotected portion of the Ag layer is removed. Then, the REBCO is protected by rinsing with water and carefully drying. Note that the REBCO layer can be damaged by excessive water exposure.

[0133] REBCO etching is performed in a dilute mixture of phosphoric acid and water (e.g., 1:100, 0.01M) at 20°C for several minutes until the serpentine pattern is completely etched into the REBCO layer. An alternative solution using ceric ammonium nitrate can also be used. The two etching steps can also be applied to each successive photoresist layer.

[0134] The photoresist is then stripped, for example, in acetone for several minutes or with another suitable stripper that is harmless to the REBCO and Ag layers. The contact pads are then protected (e.g., covered with photoresist for another series of lithography steps as described above, or covered with protective adhesive polymer tape such as Kapton tape in a reel-to-reel system), and the Ag layer in the serpentine pattern shown in Figure 3 is removed with a stirred mixture of NH3OH (10%), HO2 (10%), and water for several minutes, followed by a water rinse and careful drying. The protective (contact pad) photoresist (or adhesive tape) can then be peeled or peeled away.

[0135] A neutron-sensitive absorbing layer, in this case boron carbide ( 10 The boron carbide (B4C) coating is applied using DC magnetron sputtering and a mechanical mask that shadows all of the patterned tape except for the pixelated areas, such as a metal-based template that allows deposition only on the serpentine-patterned pixels (see Figure 3), but not on the contact pads or wiring, as shown in Figure 2. The boron carbide coating is described in the paper "Strain Effects of Absorbing Layer on Superconducting Properties of a High-Flux Neutron Detector" by Brock et al., published June 4, 2022. 10 B4C Deposition,” section of the paper, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, particularly this section.

[0136] Example of manufacturing method (2) One or more of the superconducting elements in the plurality of superconducting elements (100) have an angle of at least 1° relative to the plane of the tape, e.g., relative to a plane defined by adjacent portions of the tape, e.g., a portion of the superconducting element includes a serpentine structure. The fabrication of the tape defining a non-parallel plane adjacent to each of the one or more superconducting elements may involve multiple manufacturing steps, all of which are industrially manufacturable on a large scale. The steps used to fabricate a tape detector with tilted superconducting elements include: electropolishing the substrate; deposition of the buffer and superconducting stack; masking the serpentine pattern, including in-plane wiring and / or contact pads and / or electrical wiring, and framing lines around the superconducting elements (except for hinge regions or lines containing electrical connections enabling electrical addressing); and etching of the structures and / or shapes therein. Finally, the superconducting elements can be physically tilted from the substrate plane, as shown in FIG. 15.

[0137] The steps in example (1) are followed to fabricate a superconducting serpentine structure that is not covered with an absorber layer, from electropolishing the substrate to the steps including stripping the serpentine pattern and photoresist.

[0138] Framing Lines: A new layer of photoresist is applied to the tape containing the patterned superconducting structure. The photoresist is exposed to UV light through a master (a mask with structures such as a frame around the periphery of the serpentine) that can expose lines, e.g., 100 μm wide, surrounding the periphery of the superconducting elements. These lines must individually outline each local serpentine pattern, excluding, for example, the areas connecting the serpentine pattern to contact pads and / or electrical connections on the rest of the tape, so as to frame the superconducting pixels individually. The photoresist is developed as in Example (1). Next, the areas of the superconducting periphery not covered by the photoresist (excluding parts of it, e.g., areas where electrical connections are located) are etched, e.g., in a mixture of sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid, at temperatures between 40 and 70 °C. This etching can take up to several minutes, e.g., an hour, to etch the entire tape structure, including the substrate. That is, all material is etched to create through-holes for the lines that frame the periphery, excluding the hinge area, e.g., areas containing electrical wiring for connecting the superconducting elements.

[0139] The tape structure is then stripped from the photoresist and coated with an absorber layer as described in Example (1).

[0140] A flap, such as a region containing a superconducting element such as a pixel, is physically tilted from the plane of the substrate by carefully pushing it with a force of a few Newtons (e.g., 1-10 N using tweezers), for example, around the hinge of a tape structure as shown in Figure 15, to mechanically push the region, i.e., the flap, at an angle suitable for optimal detection. This pushing can be automated with a rolling system including rolls with locally angled protrusions, allowing the flap to be carefully pushed out in a reel-to-reel fashion.

[0141] Manufacturing method example (3) Fabrication of a tape comprising a substrate having protrusions, through-holes and / or pillars at the locations of the superconducting elements, and optionally having undercuts, such as a composite tape detector having superconducting elements with pillar structures, e.g., having such protrusions, whereby portions of the superconducting elements are partially detached from the rest of the tape structure, i.e., where the elements comprise a serpentine structure that is offset perpendicularly from the plane of the rest of the tape, as shown in Figure 14, can involve multiple manufacturing steps that are all industrially applicable on a large scale.

[0142] The substrate is electropolished as described in Example (1) and 3D structured as described in patent application WO2013 / 174380A1 by Wulff, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0143] More specifically, as described in Example (1), the substrate can be modified following a UV lithography process that involves applying photoresist, irradiating it with UV light through a master, and developing the photoresist. Pillars are then formed on the substrate while the remainder of the substrate is electropolished (e.g., electroetched). Meanwhile, areas designated for superconducting elements, such as pixels, are protected from electropolishing, resulting in the structure shown in Figure 14.

[0144] Example of manufacturing method (4) Fabrication of a composite tape detector with reduced local substrate thickness beneath and / or surrounding the structured superconducting element may require several industrially applicable manufacturing steps: the main portion of the substrate can be protected with photoresist, such as by following the UV lithography steps described in Example (1), and then localized regions can be etched from the backside of the substrate before or after depositing a superconducting stack, such as a REBCO stack including a buffer layer stack, to provide the structure shown in Figure 13.

[0145] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it should not be construed as being limited to the examples presented. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. In the context of the claims, the terms "comprising" or "comprises" do not exclude other possible elements or steps. Also, references such as "a" or "an" should not be construed as excluding a plurality. The use of reference signs in the claims for elements shown in the figures should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Furthermore, individual features recited in different claims may be advantageously combined, and the mere recitation of these features in different claims does not exclude that a combination of features is not possible or advantageous.

[0146] Terms Further provided are a tape comprising a plurality of superconducting elements according to the following clauses, a bolometer and / or kinetic inductance detector comprising the tape, a system comprising the tape, uses of the tape, and a method of providing the tape, which clauses may be combined with any of the preceding embodiments and / or any of the appended claims.

[0147] 1. A tape (100) having a plurality of superconducting elements (110), such as pixels, distributed along the length of the tape, the tape comprising: a size (101) along a first dimension, such as thickness, that is at least 10 times smaller, such as at least 100 times smaller, such as at least 1000 times smaller, than a size (102) along a second dimension, such as width; and, The tape (100) has a size (102) along a second dimension, such as width, that is at least 10 times smaller, such as at least 100 times smaller, such as at least 1000 times smaller, than a size (103) along a third dimension, such as length.

[0148] 2. A tape (100) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the distance (112) along the longitudinal direction of the tape between the two superconducting elements that are furthest apart from each other is at least 5 mm, such as at least 10 mm, for example at least 50 mm, for example at least 100 mm, for example at least 500 mm, such as at least 1 m, for example at least 5 m, for example at least 10 m, for example at least 50 m, for example at least 100 m, for example at least 1 km.

[0149] 3. A tape (100) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the closest distance (114) along the longitudinal direction of the tape between two superconducting elements is at least 5 mm, such as at least 10 mm, for example at least 50 mm, for example at least 100 mm, for example at least 500 mm, such as at least 1 m, for example at least 5 m, for example at least 10 m, for example at least 50 m, for example at least 100 m, for example at least 1 km.

[0150] 4. The tape (100) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the tape further comprises one or more conductors, such as superconducting conductors, such as HTS conductors, that enable one or more individual superconducting elements (110) to be electrically addressed from a position spaced apart along the length of the tape from each of the one or more individual superconducting elements, for example at least 1 cm, for example at least 10 cm, for example at least 1 m, for example at least 10 m, for example at least 100 m, for example at least 1 km apart in the lengthwise direction.

[0151] 5. A tape (100) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein one or more transition temperatures of the superconducting elements (110) are: Between 255K and 275K, for example, 260K to 270K, for example, 265K, Between 150K and 170K, for example, 155K and 165K, for example, 160K, Between 120K and 140K, for example, 125K and 135K, for example, 130K, Between 100K and 120K, for example, 105K and 115K, for example, 110K, Between 81K and 101K, for example, 86K and 96K, for example, 91K, Between 80K and 100K, for example 85K and 95K, for example 90K, Between 67K and 87K, for example, 72K to 82K, for example, 77K; Between 40K and 60K, for example 45K and 55K, for example 50K, Between 20K and 40K, for example, 25K and 35K, for example, 30K, Between 10K and 30K, for example 15K and 25K, for example 20K, Between 2.2K and 6.2K, for example 3.2K to 5.2K, for example 4.2K, Between 1K and 3K, for example 1.5K and 2.5K, for example 2K, or The tape (100) is between 0K and 1K, for example 50mK and 200mK, for example 100mK.

[0152] 6. A tape (100) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the number of superconducting elements (110) distributed along the longitudinal direction of the tape is 4 or more, for example 5 or more, for example 10 or more, for example 50 or more, for example 100 or more, for example 500 or more, for example 1000 or more, for example 10000 or more.

[0153] 7. The tape (100) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the tape comprises a radiation absorbing layer (1120), the radiation absorbing layer comprising, for example, at least 10% w / w of 3 He, 6 Li, 10 B. 157 Gd and 113 A tape (100) comprising, for example consisting essentially of, one or more of: Cd.

[0154] 8. A tape (100) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein each superconducting element is individually electrically connectable, optionally via at least partially superconducting conductors, to other superconducting elements so as to enable spatial resolution of radiation incident on the tape in the longitudinal direction of the tape.

[0155] 9. A tape (100) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the tape can be bent without breaking or rupturing to a radius of curvature of less than 1 m, for example less than 50 cm, for example less than 25 cm, for example less than 10 cm, less than 5 cm, less than 20 mm, less than 10 mm, less than 5 mm, and wherein the radius of curvature varies between a range of less than 10 mm, for example less than 5 mm, and a range of 100 mm or more, for example 1 m or more.

[0156] 10. A tape (100) according to any preceding clause, wherein one or more of the superconducting elements in the plurality of superconducting elements (100) define a plane that is non-parallel to the plane of the tape, for example, to a plane defined by adjacent portions of the tape, such as adjacent each of one or more superconducting elements, at an angle of at least 1°, for example, at least 5°, for example, at least 10°, for example, at least 20°, for example, at least 30°, for example, at least 40°, for example, at least 45°, for example, at least 60°.

[0157] 11. A tape (100) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the tape comprises a substrate (108), the substrate having protrusions, through holes (1324) and / or pillars (1426) at the locations of the superconducting elements (110), and optionally having undercuts.

[0158] 12. A bolometer and / or kinetic inductance detector comprising a tape (100) according to any of the preceding clauses.

[0159] 13. The tape (100) according to any one of clauses 1 to 11, further comprising a contact pad for each superconducting element; and a socket including a plurality of terminals; Including, The system, wherein the multiple contact pads allow for individual electrical access to each superconducting element via the contact pads by placing the tape in a socket with the terminals electrically connected to the contact pads.

[0160] 14. Use of a tape (100) according to any one of clauses 1 to 11, comprising a bolometer and / or kinetic inductance detector according to clause 12 and / or a system according to clause 13 in the detection, such as spatially resolved detection, of radiation, such as neutron radiation, terahertz radiation and / or infrared radiation.

[0161] 15. A method for providing a tape (100) according to any one of clauses 1 to 11, a bolometer and / or kinetic inductance detector according to clause 12, and / or a system according to clause 13, comprising the steps of: depositing a plurality of superconducting elements (110); A method comprising:

Claims

1. A tape (100) in which multiple superconducting elements (110) like pixels are distributed along the longitudinal direction of the tape, A size (101) that follows a first dimension such as thickness, and is at least 10 times smaller than a size (102) that follows a second dimension such as width, for example, at least 100 times smaller, for example, at least 1000 times smaller, and, A size (102) that is aligned with a second dimension such as width, and is at least 10 times smaller than a size (103) aligned with a third dimension such as length, for example, at least 100 times smaller, for example, at least 1000 times smaller, A tape (100) having [a certain feature].

2. The tape (100) according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal direction of the tape is the length direction of the tape.

3. The tape (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the longitudinal direction of the tape is the direction of the tape along its maximum dimension.

4. The tape (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first dimension is thickness, the second dimension is width, and the third dimension is length.

5. The tape (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of superconducting elements (110) are pixels.

6. The tape (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the superconducting elements within a plurality of superconducting elements are spatially separated from each other by a finite distance measured in the longitudinal direction, for example, by a non-zero distance such that the distance from end to end between adjacent superconducting elements is at least 1 nm, for example at least 1 μm, for example at least 10 μm.

7. The tape (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the distance (112) along the longitudinal direction of the tape between the two superconducting elements that are furthest apart from each other is at least 5 mm, for example at least 10 mm, for example 10 mm or more, for example at least 11 mm, for example at least 12 mm, for example at least 15 mm, for example at least 20 mm, for example at least 30 mm, for example at least 40 mm, for example at least 50 mm, for example at least 100 mm, for example at least 500 mm, for example at least 1 m, for example at least 5 m, for example at least 10 m, for example at least 50 m, for example at least 100 m, for example at least 1 km.

8. The tape (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the distance (112) along the longitudinal direction of the tape between the two superconducting elements that are furthest apart from each other is at least 50 mm.

9. The tape (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the distance (112) along the longitudinal direction of the tape between the two superconducting elements that are furthest apart from each other is at least 1 m.

10. The tape (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the closest adjacent distance (114) between two superconducting elements along the longitudinal direction of the tape is at least 5 mm, for example at least 10 mm, for example at least 50 mm, for example at least 100 mm, for example at least 500 mm, for example at least 1 m, for example at least 5 m, for example at least 10 m, for example at least 50 m, for example at least 100 m, for example at least 1 km.

11. The tape further comprises one or more conductors, such as a superconducting conductor such as an HTS conductor, and one or more individual superconducting elements (110) are electrically addressable from a position spaced apart from each of the one or more individual superconducting elements in the longitudinal direction of the tape, for example, at least 1 cm, for example at least 10 cm, for example at least 1 m, for example at least 10 m, for example at least 10 m, for example at least 10 km in the longitudinal direction, the tape (100) according to claim 1 or 2.

12. The tape (100) according to claim 11, wherein each conductor is superconducting and has a transition temperature different from the transition temperature of each superconducting element.

13. The tape (100) according to claim 12, wherein each superconducting element forms a superconducting structure that is coherent with a conductor.

14. The transition temperature of one or more superconducting elements (110) is Between 275K and 255K, for example, between 270K and 260K, for example, 265K. Between 150K and 170K, for example, between 155K and 165K, for example, 160K. Between 120K and 140K, for example, 125K to 135K, for example, 130K. Between 100K and 120K, for example, between 105K and 115K, for example, 110K. Between 81K and 101K, for example, between 86K and 96K, for example, 91K. Between 80K and 100K, for example, between 85K and 95K, for example, 90K. Between 67K and 87K, for example, between 72K and 82K, for example, 77K. Between 40K and 60K, for example, between 45K and 55K, for example, 50K. Between 20K and 40K, for example, 25K to 35K, for example, 30K, Between 10K and 30K, for example, between 15K and 25K, for example, 20K. Between 2.2K and 6.2K, for example, between 3.2K and 5.2K, for example, 4.2K. Between 1K and 3K, for example, 1.5K to 2.5K, for example, 2K, or, The tape (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the temperature is between 0K and 1K, for example, between 50mK and 200mK, for example, 100mK.

15. The tape (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the number of superconducting elements (110) distributed along the longitudinal direction of the tape is four or more, for example, five or more, for example, ten or more, for example, fifty or more, for example, 100 or more, for example, 500 or more, for example, 1000 or more, for example, 10000 or more.

16. The tape (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein there are five or more superconducting elements (110) distributed along the longitudinal direction of the tape.

17. The tape (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein there are 50 or more superconducting elements (110) distributed along the longitudinal direction of the tape.

18. The tape includes a radiation-absorbing layer (1120), and the radiation-absorbing layer is, for example, at least 10% w / w ３ He, ６ Li, １０ B, １５７ Gd and １１３ The tape (100) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising one or more of Cd, or essentially comprising one or more.

19. The tape (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each superconducting element is individually electrically addressable to other superconducting elements via a conductor that is optionally at least partially superconducting, so as to enable spatial resolution of radiation incident on the tape in the longitudinal direction of the tape.

20. The tape (100) according to claim 1 or 2, which can be bent without breaking or bursting so that the radius of curvature is less than 1 m, for example less than 50 cm, for example less than 25 cm, for example less than 10 cm, for example less than 5 cm, for example less than 30 mm, for example less than 25 mm, for example less than 20 mm, for example less than 10 mm, for example less than 5 mm, and the radius of curvature changes between a region of, for example less than 10 mm, for example less than 5 mm and a region of, for example 100 mm or more, for example 1 m or more.

21. The tape (100) according to claim 1 or 2, which can be bent without breaking or bursting, such as by being elastically bent so that the radius of curvature is less than 20 mm.

22. The tape (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one or more of the superconducting elements (100) in a plurality of superconducting elements define a non-parallel plane with respect to the plane of the tape, having an angle of at least 1°, for example, at least 5°, for example, at least 10°, for example, at least 20°, for example, at least 30°, for example, at least 40°, for example, at least 45°, for example, at least 60°, with respect to a plane defined by adjacent portions of the tape, such as adjacent to each of the one or more superconducting elements.

23. The tape (100) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a substrate (108), wherein the substrate includes projections, through holes (1324) and / or columns (1426) at the location of the superconducting element (110), and optionally having undercuts.

24. The tape includes a substrate (108), and the substrate has the following at the position of the superconducting element (110): A projection with an undercut, and / or, Column with an undercut (1426), The tape (100) according to claim 1 or 2, including the tape (100).

25. The tape (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each superconducting element includes at least a portion formed in a meandering pattern.

26. The tape (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each superconducting element includes a meandering structure such as a meandering structure of a superconducting material, and the dimensions such as the line width within the meandering structure along the first dimension and / or second dimension are 1 μm to 100 μm, for example, 20 μm to 50 μm.

27. The tape (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each superconducting element includes a meandering structure such as a meandering structure of the superconducting material, and the dimensions of the meandering structure along the first dimension, such as the thickness, are 50 nm to 5 μm, for example, 50 nm to 3 μm.

28. A bolometer and / or motion inductance detector comprising the tape (100) described in claim 1.

29. The tape (100) according to claim 1, wherein the tape further includes a tape having a contact pad for each superconducting element, A socket including multiple terminals, Multiple contact pads are a system that allows individual electrical access to each superconducting element via the contact pads by placing the tape in a socket with the terminals electrically connected to the contact pads.

30. Use of the tape (100) according to claim 1 or 2, the bolometer and / or motion inductance detector according to claim 28, and / or the system according to claim 29, for detection of radiation such as neutron beams, terahertz beams, and / or infrared radiation, such as spatially resolved detection.

31. A method for providing a tape (100) according to claim 1 or 2, a bolometer and / or motion inductance detector according to claim 28, and / or a system according to claim 29, Depositing multiple superconducting elements (110), and / or depositing superconducting material for the superconducting elements (110), A method that includes this.

32. The method is further, The method according to claim 31, wherein one or more conductors, such as superconducting conductors such as HTS conductors, are deposited, so that one or more individual superconducting elements can be electrically addressed from a position separated from each of the one or more individual superconducting elements in the longitudinal direction of the tape, for example, at least 1 cm, for example at least 10 cm, for example at least 1 m, for example at least 10 m, for example at least 100 m, for example at least 1 km in the longitudinal direction.

33. One or more conductors include superconducting materials. The first step involves depositing the superconducting material of the superconducting element (110) and depositing the superconducting material of one or more conductors, and optionally the superconducting material of the superconducting element and the superconducting material of one or more conductors are similar, for example substantially identical, for example identical, In the second step, following the first step, i. Superconducting materials for superconducting devices, and ii. One or more conductive superconducting materials, One or both of these are processed, iii. Transition temperature of superconducting material for superconducting devices, and iv. Transition temperature of one or more conductor superconducting materials, The method according to claim 32, wherein the difference in transition temperatures is increased or introduced between the two.

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