Cryogenic Superinsulator Varistor for Low-Heating Surge Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional varistors are not suitable for operation at cryogenic temperatures due to high heating caused by current at voltages greater than the threshold voltage, and they have poorly controlled on-state electrical resistance, leading to inadequate voltage-surge protection for electronic devices like superconducting coils or qubits.
Innovation Solution
A varistor device employing a superinsulator material with an essentially vanishing electrical conductivity at cryogenic temperatures, providing a strongly nonlinear resistance and low power consumption, utilizing titanium nitride, niobium titanium nitride, or indium oxide films to achieve a superinsulating state and Cooper pair insulating state for effective voltage-surge protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional varistors are used at cryogenic temperatures, then voltage-surge protection is provided, but high heating occurs due to current through the varistor at voltages greater than threshold voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the varistor from conventional semiconductor or metal oxide to superinsulator material, which exhibits essentially infinite resistance at cryogenic temperatures. This parameter change enables the varistor to operate without significant heating at cryogenic temperatures while still providing voltage-surge protection when the threshold voltage is exceeded.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining superinsulator material with electrical contact elements to create a varistor device suitable for cryogenic operation. The superinsulator material provides the nonlinear resistance characteristic while the composite structure enables effective voltage-surge protection with minimal heating at cryogenic temperatures.
2Reliability
If conventional varistors are used, then voltage-surge protection is provided, but the on-state electrical resistance is poorly controlled, resulting in poor control over heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional varistor materials to superinsulator material, which provides essentially infinite resistance at cryogenic temperatures. This enables precise control of the on-state electrical resistance and consequently precise control over the heating of the varistor during operation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If superinsulator material is used in a varistor device at cryogenic temperatures, then low power consumption and low voltage noise level are achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter to superinsulator material, which provides essentially infinite resistance at cryogenic temperatures. This enables the varistor to operate with minimal power consumption and low voltage noise level while maintaining a relatively simple device structure consisting of the superinsulator material and electrical contact elements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The varistor device offers improved voltage-surge protection with low power consumption and low noise, achieving a steep increase in current at threshold voltage, effectively reducing excessive voltage and heating on protected devices, with unprecedented fast operational time and low leakage current.
Implementation Method 1
A superinsulating state has been observed in titanium nitride films, niobium titanium nitride films, and in indium oxide films. The electric lead is configured to provide a superinsulating state or a cooper-pair insulating state at the cryogenic temperature
Implementation Method 2
The electric lead is configured to provide a superinsulating state or a cooper-pair insulating state at the cryogenic temperature
Implementation Method 3
A transition from the superinsulating state to a state with a larger resistance may be triggered by a sufficient temperature increase or by applying a sufficiently high voltage
Implementation Method 4
The varistor has a nonlinear electrical resistance. When the voltage exceeds the threshold voltage, the electrical resistance of the ideal varistor would drastically (i.e., non-linearly) decrease and a current through the varistor would increase accordingly with the voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A varistor device for voltage-surge-protecting an electronic circuit at a cryogenic temperature comprises an electric lead composed of a superinsulator material, and electrical contact elements. The electrical contact elements are for connecting different positions along the electric lead to the electronic circuit. The electrical contact elements are in electric contact with the electric lead at the different positions along the electric lead. The electric lead is adapted to provide a superinsulating state or a cooper-pair insulating state at the cryogenic temperature, and to provide a non-linear resistance between the different positions at the cryogenic temperature.