Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Superconductor Science and Technology

Broadband active electrically small superconductor antennas

Victor K. Kornev, Nikolay V. Kolotinskiy, Aleksei Sharafiev, Igor I. Soloviev, Oleg A. Mukhanov

Published Jun 19, 2017• 24 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Abstract A new type of broadband active electrically small antenna (ESA) based on superconducting quantum arrays (SQAs) has been proposed and developed. These antennas are capable of providing both sensing and amplification of broadband electromagnetic signals with a very high spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR)—up to 100 dB (and even more)—with high sensitivity. The frequency band can range up to tens of gigahertz, depending on Josephson junction characteristic frequency, set by fabrication. In this paper we review theoretical and experimental studies of SQAs and SQA-based antenna prototypes of both transformer and transformer-less types. The ESA prototypes evaluated were fabricated using a standard Nb process with critical current density 4.5 kA cm −2 . Measured device characteristics, design issues and comparative analysis of various ESA types, as well as requirements for interfaces, are reviewed and discussed.

DOI
10.1088/1361-6668/aa7a52

Related papers

Active Electrically Small Antenna Based on Superconducting Quantum Array

V. K. Kornev, Igor I. Soloviev, A. V. Sharafiev +2 more

We introduce Superconductive Quantum Arrays and propose to use these structures as active Electrically Small Antennas (ESA). Several prototypes of the active ESA were fabricated using Nb process with a critical current density of 4.5 kA/cm2and experimentally evaluated. The magnetic field to voltage transfer function linearity up to 70 dB was measured, and transfer factordV/dBup to 6.5 mV/μT was observed for the ESA prototype containing 560 cells.

arXiv:1211.6787•IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity•Dec 10, 2012•47 citations

Superconducting Quantum Arrays for Broadband RF Systems

Victor K. Kornev, Aleksei Sharafiev, Igor I. Soloviev +2 more

Superconducting Quantum Arrays (SQAs), homogenous arrays of Superconducting Quantum Cells, are developed for implementation of broadband radio frequency (RF) systems capable of providing highly linear magnetic signal to voltage transfer with high dynamic range, including active electrically small antennas (ESAs). Among the proposed quantum cells which are bi-SQUID and Differential Quantum Cell (DQC), the latter delivered better performance for SQAs. A prototype of the transformer-less active ESA based on a 2D SQA with nonsuperconducting electric connection of the DQCs was fabricated using HYPRES niobium process with critical current density 4.5 kA/cm 2 . The measured voltage response is characterized by a peak-to-peak swing of ~100 mV and steepness of ~6500 μV/μT.

Journal of Physics Conference Series•May 12, 2014•3 citations

A Guide to Active Antennas Based on Superconducting Quantum Arrays

Victor K. Kornev, Aleksei Sharafiev, Igor I. Soloviev +2 more

We describe how to use correctly an active electrically small antenna (ESA) based on superconducting quantum array (SQA) to ensure a highly linear voltage output of the antenna. An interface to the antenna ought to realize strongly mismatched loading of the active ESA. To provide the optimal conjugation of the antenna with the load device such as a low-impedance superconductor analog-to-digital converter, several measures are formulated, including the assignment of the proper SQA design configuration and the implementation of a broadband superconducting impedance transformer in the interface waveguide line. A directional diagram of the SQA-based ESA has been obtained through a three-dimensional full-wave numerical simulation.

IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity•Feb 3, 2016•9 citations

Superconducting Quantum Arrays with High Spurious-Free Dynamic Range

Victor K. Kornev, Nikolay V. Kolotinskiy, Igor I. Soloviev +2 more

There has been a significant progress in the development of broadband superconductor sensors / amplifiers capable of providing high Spurious-Free Dynamic Range for applications in broadband receiving systems with direct digitization of rf signals. This paper is to review our theoretical and experimental results on Superconducting Quantum Arrays suggested for broadband sensors / amplifiers including active Electrically Small Antennas.

IEEE International Superconductive Electronics Conference (ISEC)•Jul 1, 2015•0 citations

Superconducting Quantum Arrays

Victor K. Kornev, Aleksei Sharafiev, Igor I. Soloviev +3 more

Superconducting Quantum Arrays (SQAs) based on integration of quantum cells each consisting of two Josephson-junction parallel arrays [Differential Quantum Cell (DQC)] are analyzed for applications in broadband radio frequency systems. These SQAs are capable of providing highly linear magnetic signal to voltage transfer with high dynamic range. Both detail study of the quantum cells with realistic parameters and analysis of their characteristics, including voltage response linearity, are presented and discussed. A prototype of an active electrically small antenna is implemented based on an SQA containing 560 DQCs. We demonstrated the SQA voltage response swing as high as ~ 100 mV at a transfer factor of ~ 6.5 mV/μT.

IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity•Apr 17, 2014•33 citations

From single SQUID to superconducting quantum arrays

Victor K. Kornev, Nikolay V. Kolotinskiy, Aleksei Sharafiev +2 more

Superconducting quantum arrays (SQAs) capable of providing highly linear voltage response to magnetic signal and high dynamic range have been suggested and developed. Base elements of the arrays, quantum cells, were devised and studied in detail. Using niobium process, SQAs with different number of the cells and prototypes of the SQA-based broadband active electrically small antennas were fabricated and tested.

Low Temperature Physics•Jul 1, 2017•10 citations
Abstract A new type of broadband active electrically small antenna (ESA) based on superconducting quantum arrays (SQAs) has been proposed and developed. These antennas are capable of providing both sensing and amplification of broadband electromagnetic signals with a very high spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR)—up to 100 dB (and even more)—with high sensitivity. The frequency band can range up to tens of gigahertz, depending on Josephson junction characteristic frequency, set by fabrication. In this paper we review theoretical and experimental studies of SQAs and SQA-based antenna prototypes of both transformer and transformer-less types. The ESA prototypes evaluated were fabricated using a standard Nb process with critical current density 4.5 kA cm −2 . Measured device characteristics, design issues and comparative analysis of various ESA types, as well as requirements for interfaces, are reviewed and discussed.
Superconducting Quantum Arrays (SQAs), homogenous arrays of Superconducting Quantum Cells, are developed for implementation of broadband radio frequency (RF) systems capable of providing highly linear magnetic signal to voltage transfer with high dynamic range, including active electrically small antennas (ESAs). Among the proposed quantum cells which are bi-SQUID and Differential Quantum Cell (DQC), the latter delivered better performance for SQAs. A prototype of the transformer-less active ESA based on a 2D SQA with nonsuperconducting electric connection of the DQCs was fabricated using HYPRES niobium process with critical current density 4.5 kA/cm 2 . The measured voltage response is characterized by a peak-to-peak swing of ~100 mV and steepness of ~6500 μV/μT.
We describe how to use correctly an active electrically small antenna (ESA) based on superconducting quantum array (SQA) to ensure a highly linear voltage output of the antenna. An interface to the antenna ought to realize strongly mismatched loading of the active ESA. To provide the optimal conjugation of the antenna with the load device such as a low-impedance superconductor analog-to-digital converter, several measures are formulated, including the assignment of the proper SQA design configuration and the implementation of a broadband superconducting impedance transformer in the interface waveguide line. A directional diagram of the SQA-based ESA has been obtained through a three-dimensional full-wave numerical simulation.
Superconducting Quantum Arrays (SQAs) based on integration of quantum cells each consisting of two Josephson-junction parallel arrays [Differential Quantum Cell (DQC)] are analyzed for applications in broadband radio frequency systems. These SQAs are capable of providing highly linear magnetic signal to voltage transfer with high dynamic range. Both detail study of the quantum cells with realistic parameters and analysis of their characteristics, including voltage response linearity, are presented and discussed. A prototype of an active electrically small antenna is implemented based on an SQA containing 560 DQCs. We demonstrated the SQA voltage response swing as high as ~ 100 mV at a transfer factor of ~ 6.5 mV/μT.