Superconductive Analog Electronics For Signal Processing Applications

Richard W. Ralston

R.S. Withers, Richard W. Ralston

Real-time signal processing is important in many emerging applications in areas such as pulse-compression radar, spread-spectrum communications, and electronic warfare. The required digitally equivalent computational rate for these applications is on the order of 10/sup 2/ arithmetic operations per second and the required instantaneous bandwidths could approach 10 GHz. These exceed by nearly three orders of magnitude the capabilities projected for digital systems in the near future, and even exceed that of recently developed analog technologies such as surface-acoustic-wave (SAW) signal-processing devices. To meet anticipated future system needs, superconductive analog signal-processing components with bandwidths of 2 GHz have recently been realized, and the technology is being developed for the realization of 10-GHz bandwidths. Issues of fabrication technology and subsystem integration are examined for superconductive analog signal-processing devices.>

Paul L. Richards

Because of inherent advantages in dynamic range and noise rejection, digital signal processing is used whenever possible in modern systems. Critical applications remain for analog components, however, where the signal frequency, signal level, or the data rate is not compatible with digital processing.

Sebastian Kempf

National Research Council

Karl K. Berggren

Superconducting nanowires and nanostrips have been used extensively in single-photon detection and have recently demonstrated the capability for photon-number resolution. These devices can also find use for microwave analog and digital superconducting electronics for purposes such as signal processing and multiplexing, and potentially for applications to readout of superconductive quantum computing. This talk will discuss novel electronics and photodetection devices based on superconducting nanowires.