Fiber-Optic Feedthrough Vacuum Sealing for Cryogenic Interconnects
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in effectively interconnecting systems operating in cryogenic environments with those in non-cryogenic environments, particularly due to the power inefficiencies of CMOS devices at room temperature and the energy requirements for cooling superconducting logic devices to cryogenic temperatures, which affects total system power consumption.
Innovation Solution
An interconnect system that uses optical fibers and vacuum chemical seals to thermally isolate cryogenic and non-cryogenic environments, allowing for the coupling of superconducting logic devices with CMOS devices through fiber-optic feedthroughs and optical windows with lenses, maintaining a vacuum seal to prevent thermal transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If superconducting logic devices are used to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but the system requires cryogenic temperatures which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate environments: a cryogenic environment for superconducting logic devices and a non-cryogenic environment for CMOS devices. This segmentation allows each component to operate in its optimal temperature range, reducing overall power consumption while managing complexity through environmental separation.
Solution Approach 2:
An optical interface acts as an intermediary between the cryogenic and non-cryogenic environments. Optical fibers transmit signals across the thermal boundary without conducting heat, enabling communication between the two environments while maintaining thermal isolation and reducing the complexity of direct thermal coupling.
2Loss of energy
If optical fibers are used to interconnect the two environments, then thermal isolation is improved, but manufacturing precision is required for the vacuum seal
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum seal creates a thermal equipotential barrier, establishing a uniform thermal boundary between the cryogenic and non-cryogenic environments. This equipotential seal minimizes thermal gradients and heat transfer, reducing energy loss while the integrated design accommodates manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber feedthrough integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides optical signal transmission, maintains vacuum seal integrity, and enables thermal isolation. This merging reduces the number of separate components and alignment requirements, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements while achieving thermal isolation.
3Ease of operation
If CMOS devices operate at room temperature, then ease of operation is improved, but power consumption increases due to leakage current
Solution Approach 1:
The computing system is segmented into two functional domains: CMOS devices operating in a non-cryogenic environment for ease of operation, and superconducting logic devices operating in a cryogenic environment for low power consumption. This segmentation allows each technology to operate in its optimal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
An optical interface serves as an intermediary communication channel between CMOS and superconducting logic devices. This allows CMOS devices to operate at room temperature with ease of operation while the superconducting devices handle power-intensive operations at cryogenic temperatures, optimizing the overall power consumption of the system.
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
This solution enables efficient communication between cryogenic and non-cryogenic systems, reducing power consumption by minimizing thermal transfer and maintaining stable superconductivity, thus optimizing system performance and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one interconnect is embedded in a vacuum chemical seal such that the first type of environment is substantially thermally isolated from the second type of environment
Implementation Method 2
at least one optical window, where the at least one optical window includes a plurality of lenses configured to couple optical signals between the at least the first set of the optical fibers and the at least the second set of the optical fibers
Data Source
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AI summary
Interconnect systems for coupling a first system operating in a first type of environment (e.g., a cryogenic environment) to a second system operating in a second type of environment (e.g., a non-cryogenic environment) are provided. An interconnect system (500) includes a first connector (510) coupled to optical fibers (502) that are coupled to the first system operating in the first type of environment. The interconnect system further includes a second connector (512) coupled to optical fibers (504) that are coupled to the second system operating in the second type of environment. The interconnect system may include an optical window (518) configured to couple optical signals between the optical fibers, and the optical window is configured to maintain a vacuum seal between the first type of environment and the second type of environment such that the first type of environment is substantially thermally isolated from the second type of environment.