US3643237A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multiple-junction tunnel devices
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1969-12-30
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Granted: 1972-02-15
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Expires: 1989-12-30
Abstract
Abstract Switching and memory circuits which employ tunneling devices having nonlinearities are made more reliable by making each device a series arrangement of tunnel junctions. This built-in redundancy of each switching element eliminates problems due to frequent device short circuits, especially where there are thin tunnel barriers and the devices are operated under extreme temperature ranges. In a particular case, Josephson devices are used, each of which is a thin film structure having stacked junctions, i.e., a plurality of alternate layers of metal and tunnel barrier.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilhelm Anacker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 08:43
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K3/00; H03K3/02; H03K3/38; G; G11; G11C; G11C11/00; G11C11/21; G11C11/44; G11C8/00; H10; H10D; H10D99/00; H10N; H10N60/00; H10N60/10; H10N60/12; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S505/00; Y10S505/825; Y10S505/831; Y10S505/832
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
41 words
A Josephson tunneling device, comprising: a first superconducting electrode, a second superconducting electrode, a plurality of noncoplanar tunnel junctions arranged in a series electrical path between said fiRst and second electrodes, said junctions being capable of supporting Josephson tunneling current therethrough.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
41 words
A Josephson tunneling device, comprising: a first superconducting electrode, a second superconducting electrode, a plurality of noncoplanar tunnel junctions arranged in a series electrical path between said fiRst and second electrodes, said junctions being capable of supporting Josephson tunneling current therethrough.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1, where there are at least three Josephson junctions located between said first and second superconducting electrodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said noncoplanar junctions are formed in a plurality of discrete stacks located between said first and second superconducting electrodes thereby providing parallel Josephson tunneling current paths between said first and second superconducting electrodes, each said stack containing a plurality of noncoplanar tunnel junctions in a series electrical path, each junction being capable of supporting Josephson tunneling current therethrough.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
85 words
A Josephson tunneling device, comprising: a first superconducting layer, a first tunnel barrier located on said first layer capable of supporting Josephson tunneling current therethrough, a second superconducting layer located on said first tunnel barrier, a second tunneling barrier located on said second superconducting layer capable of supporting Josephson tunneling current therethrough, a third superconducting layer located on said second tunnel barrier, wherein said first and second tunnel barriers are noncoplanar and connected in a series electrical path between said first and third superconducting layers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
85 words
A Josephson tunneling device, comprising: a first superconducting layer, a first tunnel barrier located on said first layer capable of supporting Josephson tunneling current therethrough, a second superconducting layer located on said first tunnel barrier, a second tunneling barrier located on said second superconducting layer capable of supporting Josephson tunneling current therethrough, a third superconducting layer located on said second tunnel barrier, wherein said first and second tunnel barriers are noncoplanar and connected in a series electrical path between said first and third superconducting layers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 4, wherein each said tunnel barrier is comprised of an insulating layer 2- 50 angstroms thick.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 4, having control means for regulating the Josephson current switching threshold of each tunnel barrier.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
A Josephson current device comprising: a first superconducting electrode for carrying said Josephson current, a plurality of discrete stacks located on said first electrode, each stack being comprised of alternate layers of tunnel barriers and superconductive layers, said tunnel barriers being able to support Josephson tunneling current therethrough, a second superconducting electrode located over said stacks and bridging said stacks for carrying said Josephson current.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
A Josephson current device comprising: a first superconducting electrode for carrying said Josephson current, a plurality of discrete stacks located on said first electrode, each stack being comprised of alternate layers of tunnel barriers and superconductive layers, said tunnel barriers being able to support Josephson tunneling current therethrough, a second superconducting electrode located over said stacks and bridging said stacks for carrying said Josephson current.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 7, where each said tunnel barrier is an insulator 2-50 angstroms thick.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 7, where said stacks provide parallel Josephson tunneling current paths between said first and second electrodes.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-14 | 1975-08-16 | 1976-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-14 | 1979-08-16 | 1980-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-14 | 1983-08-16 | 1984-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |