High-Temperature Superconductor Terahertz Diode
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a system that enables direct data communication between cryogenic circuits and room temperature electronics, which is essential for the widespread adoption of superconducting technology in sensing and communication applications, particularly through the use of electro-optical circuits and optical fiber technology to facilitate high-speed data transfer.
Innovation Solution
A superconducting device with a p-n like boundary region formed in a bi-crystalline film of high-temperature superconducting compounds like YBa2Cu3Ox, where superconducting leads and circuitry modulate voltage across the junction, enabling photon emission and thermal management, and potentially used in heat flow interferometer configurations to coherently modulate heat currents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electro-optical circuits and optical fiber technology are used for data egress from cryogenic circuits, then direct data communication between cryogenic and room temperature systems is enabled, but system complexity and integration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cryogenic isolator as an intermediary device that optically isolates the cryogenic circuit from the room temperature environment while maintaining data communication. This mediator allows the cryogenic system to communicate with room temperature electronics without direct thermal coupling, thus enabling direct data communication while managing system complexity through functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct cryogenic and room temperature sections with clear functional boundaries. The cryogenic circuit, isolator, and room temperature electronics are separated into independent modules that can be designed, tested, and maintained separately, reducing overall system integration complexity while maintaining reliable data communication between the segments.
2Temperature
If high-temperature superconducting materials are used, then operating temperature requirements are relaxed, but material fabrication and processing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes high-temperature superconducting materials such as YBa2Cu3Ox (YBCO) with critical temperatures above 77K, changing the temperature parameter from traditional low-temperature superconductors to high-temperature variants. This parameter change allows operation at liquid nitrogen temperatures rather than liquid helium temperatures, relaxing cooling requirements despite increased material fabrication complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite superconducting structures including bi-crystalline films with specific grain boundary orientations and multi-layer configurations. These composite material approaches enable the realization of high-temperature superconducting devices with improved performance characteristics, addressing the manufacturing challenges through sophisticated material engineering.
3Adaptability or versatility
If bi-crystalline film structures with grain boundaries are used, then anisotropic superconducting properties are achieved for directional heat flow control, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates local anisotropic regions within the superconducting film by controlling grain boundary orientation in specific areas. The bi-crystalline structure has grain boundaries oriented at specific angles (e.g., 45 degrees) to achieve desired anisotropic properties for directional heat flow control, while other regions may have different orientations to satisfy different functional requirements within the same device.
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing process incorporates dynamic control of deposition conditions during film formation to achieve precise grain boundary orientations. By dynamically adjusting parameters such as substrate temperature, deposition rate, and crystal orientation during the sputtering or epitaxial growth process, the desired anisotropic properties are achieved with acceptable precision requirements.
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 allows for efficient thermal management and direct data communication between cryogenic and room temperature systems, facilitating the integration of superconducting technology into various applications by enabling coherent modulation of heat currents and photon emission, thus bridging the gap between cryogenic and ambient temperature technologies.
Implementation Method 1
A direct link from cryogenic circuitry and devices to ambient temperature technologies is important for the widespread adoption of superconducting technology
Implementation Method 2
A superconducting device that emits light by superconducting electron-quasiparticle recombination
Implementation Method 3
superconducting leads and circuitry modulate the voltage across the junction
Implementation Method 4
heat flow interferometer configurations to coherently modulate heat currents
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a substrate having a high-temperature superconductor compound film disposed thereon. A first superconducting region is formed within the film and has a first stabilized oxygen content. A second superconducting region is also formed within the film and is located adjacent to the first superconducting region. The second superconducting region has a second stabilized oxygen content. A boundary region is formed within the film and separates the first superconducting region from the second superconducting region. A voltage source is connected to the first superconducting region and the second superconducting region. The boundary region emits electromagnetic radiation responsive to an applied voltage from the voltage source to one of the first superconducting region and the second superconducting region. A current flows from the first superconducting region to the second superconducting region, or vice versa, responsive to the applied voltage.