Optical Cryogenic Waveform Source for Low-Heat Signal Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating electric waveforms at cryogenic temperatures face challenges due to heat conduction through electric feedthroughs, which can exceed the cooling capacity of refrigerators, disrupting the cryogenic temperature.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the generation of optical pulses, which are then guided into a cryogenic chamber via an optical feedthrough and converted into electric pulses using optical-to-electrical converters, thereby reducing heat conduction and maintaining the cryogenic temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electric feedthrough and coaxial cable are used to guide the electric waveform into the cryogenic chamber, then the electric signal can be delivered from room temperature to cryogenic temperature, but heat is conducted into the cryogenic chamber to such an extent that the heating power exceeds the cooling capacity of refrigerators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electric feedthrough and coaxial cable system with an optical system consisting of an optical modulator, optical fiber, and photodetector. The electrical signal is converted to optical signal for transmission through the optical fiber into the cryogenic chamber, then converted back to electrical signal by the photodetector. This substitution eliminates the direct thermal conduction path that plagued the electrical feedthrough approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical signal as an intermediary carrier to transfer information from room temperature to cryogenic temperature without direct thermal contact. The optical fiber acts as a thermal barrier while allowing optical signal transmission, and the photodetector serves as an intermediary converter that operates at cryogenic temperature to regenerate the electrical signal.
2Speed
If a high frequency electric signal is guided into the cryogenic chamber via electric feedthrough, then the signal can be transmitted, but significant heat is conducted via the feedthrough which disturbs or prevents maintaining the desired cryogenic temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the electrical signal transmission system with an optical signal transmission system. The electrical signal modulates an optical carrier wave, which then travels through the optical fiber into the cryogenic chamber. This allows high frequency signal transmission (even above 100 GHz as mentioned in the patent) while the optical fiber maintains thermal isolation, preventing heat conduction into the cryogenic chamber.
3Temperature
If the cooling capacity of refrigerators is increased to handle the heat load from electric feedthrough, then the cryogenic temperature can be maintained, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical feedthrough approach with an optical transmission approach, which dramatically reduces the heat load on the cryogenic refrigerator. By using optical fiber for signal transmission, the thermal conduction path is eliminated, allowing standard cryogenic refrigerators to maintain temperature without requiring excessive cooling capacity or complex thermal management systems.
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 approach enables the generation of high-bandwidth electric waveforms with good energy efficiency, minimizing heat leakage into the cryogenic chamber and maintaining the desired temperature.
Implementation Method 1
converting the optical pulses of the first optical signal (CLB1) into electric pulses inside the cryogenic chamber (VES1)
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing an electric waveform at a cryogenic temperatures includesproviding an optical signal, which comprises an optical waveform,guiding the optical signal into a cryogenic chamber, andconverting the optical waveform of the optical signal into an electric waveform inside the cryogenic chamber.