This project will explore magnetically controlled, high-temperature superconductor (HTS) thin-film circuits for applications in HTS receivers and novel array antennas with special attention given to dual-gate configurations. These types of circuits could become important building blocks for the design of monolithic superconducting microwave and millimeter-wave com- munications receivers aboard spacecraft. Devices to be considered are long step-edge junctions and flux-flow transistors. This project addresses the need for analysis of the device properties and its interfacing with oscillators and mixers plus distributed array antennas. The project will also make and explore device parameters to demonstrate their feasibility. Phase II will fabricate and test the mixer, mixer/oscillator/filter combinations, and antenna array prototypes. Exploration of these concepts could open the door to intermediate-frequency and low- frequency, superconducting signal processing circuits and potential applications in medical microwave imaging.
Potential Commercial Applications:These could lead to using HTS technology onboard satellites. Small and highly sensitive receiving arrays could also reduce field levels in medical microwave imaging.
