Hybrid superconductor–semiconductor electronics

Guido Burkard, Michael J. Gullans, Xiao Mi +1 more

Akira Shoji

In this paper, the author describes studies on electronic devices and circuits utilizing both of superconductors and semniconductors. First, a design of an interface circuit composed of Josephson junctions and MOSFETs is described. The Josephson-MOS interface circuit will be used for realizing high-speed data communication between a Josephson digital circuit and a semiconductor one. Second, fabrication and characterization of MOSFETs with superconductive NbN gate electrodes are described. The use of superconductive gates makes it easy to hybridize MOSFETs with Josephson junctions. Finally, studies of Josephson-CMOS hybrid memory circuits are introduced.

Alexander B Zorin, K. K. Likharev, Vasili K. Semenov

Yonuk Chong, Yong‐ho Lee, Yong Hamb KIM

Randall Kirschman

An overview of semiconductor-based and superconductor-based low-temperature electronics is presented. The general issues of reliability and thermal expansion mismatch are discussed. The discussion of semiconductor electronics starts with a description of a cryogenic supercomputer, the ETA, and then covers devices and materials, noise and applications to signal processing for sensors. Superconductor electronics is then discussed, including signal processing, digital systems, and oscillating junctions. The success of electronics with small numbers of Josephson junctions and the outlook for higher-temperature operation are addressed. Hybrid applications, combining semiconductor and superconductor technologies at the device, circuit, or system level, are examined, highlighting the problems of electrical interfacing and interconnections.>

Yerzhan Mustafa, Selçuk Köse

Interface circuits are the key components that enable the hybrid integration of superconductor and semiconductor digital electronics. The design requirements of superconductor-semiconductor interface circuits vary depending on the application, such as high-performance classical computing, superconducting quantum computing, and digital signal processing. In this survey, various interface circuits are categorized based on the working principle and structure. The superconducting output drivers are explored, which are capable of converting and amplifying, e.g., single flux quantum (SFQ) voltage pulses, to voltage levels that semiconductor circuits can process. Several trade-offs between circuit- and system-level design parameters are examined. Accordingly, parameters such as the data rate, output voltage, power dissipation, layout area, thermal/heat load of cryogenic cables, and bit-error rate are considered.