HTS Flexible Cabling Layout for Low-Heat Cryogenic Signal Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cabling solutions for quantum computing systems in cryogenic temperature zones suffer from high thermal conductivity, leading to excessive heat transfer and require either conventional conductors with higher thermal conductivity or fragile bulk high-temperature superconductors that need a larger cross section.
Innovation Solution
A high-temperature superconductor (HTS)-based flexible cabling system with spacers and temperature-dependent thermal conductors, such as heat pipes, to maintain spacing and minimize thermal conductivity between cables, allowing for high-speed signal transmission with minimal heat leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional conductors are used for wiring in cryogenic temperature zones above 2K, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but thermal conductivity is high resulting in excessive heat transfer to cooler zones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical and thermal parameters of the conductor by using high-temperature superconducting materials that exhibit zero electrical resistance and significantly reduced thermal conductivity at cryogenic temperatures, thereby achieving both low heat transfer and reliable electrical connectivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite structures combining superconducting materials with specific substrates and insulation layers to create cables that simultaneously achieve excellent electrical conductivity and minimal thermal conductivity through the strategic selection and arrangement of different materials with complementary properties
2Loss of energy
If bulk high-temperature superconductors are used to reduce heat transfer, then thermal conductivity is reduced, but the materials are fragile and require larger cross section
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fragile bulk superconductors with flexible thin-film superconducting traces deposited on flexible substrates, which provide the same superconducting properties while being mechanically robust and suitable for bending and routing in complex geometries
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes mechanical bulk materials with thin-film deposition techniques and flexible substrate structures, transitioning from mechanically fragile bulk superconductors to mechanically robust thin-film superconducting cables that maintain superconducting properties while achieving flexibility and strength
3Device complexity
If HTS-based flexible cables are arranged close together for compactness, then device complexity is reduced, but thermal coupling between cables increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces thermal isolation structures and spacing elements as intermediaries between adjacent HTS cables, which physically separate the cables and thermally isolate them from each other, preventing thermal coupling while maintaining compact overall cable assembly configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the cable assembly into individually isolated HTS cable units separated by thermal barriers, allowing each cable to be thermally independent while maintaining a compact bundled configuration, thereby reducing thermal coupling without significantly increasing overall device complexity
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 HTS-based flexible cabling system supports high signal density and low thermal loading, enabling efficient high-speed electrical signal transmission over long distances without active electronics, facilitating the scaling of quantum computing systems.
Implementation Method 1
high-temperature superconductor (HTS)-based flexible cabling system configured to interconnect a first set of components in a first cryogenic temperature zone with a second set of components in a second cryogenic temperature zone
Implementation Method 2
temperature-dependent thermal conductor
Data Source
AI summary
High temperature superconductor (HTS)-based flexible cabling systems configured to provide signaling between two different cryogenic temperature zones are described. An HTS-based flexible cabling system includes a first HTS-based flexible cable arranged next to a second HTS-based flexible cable with a spacer configured to maintain a fixed spacing between the first HTS-based flexible cable and the second HTS-based flexible cable. Each of the first HTS-based flexible cable and the second HTS-based flexible cable includes traces to define individual strips having a first strip width in a first region along a length of each of the first HTS-based flexible cable and the second HTS-based flexible cable and a second strip width, different from the first strip width, in a second region where the spacer is overlapping with a respective HTS-based flexible cable. The HTS-based flexible cabling system further includes a heat-transfer structure coupled to the spacer and a temperature-dependent thermal conductor.