US4055847A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Germanium coated microbridge and method
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1976-08-13
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Granted: 1977-10-25
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Expires: 1996-08-13
Abstract
Abstract A superconducting microbridge is provided for use in superconducting quantum interference devices wherein a pair of spaced layers of superconductive material are connected by a weak link bridge to establish an electrical junction. The superconductive layers and bridge are coated with a semiconductor material shunting the bridge at room temperatures to prevent the destruction of the device by minute electrical currents while the coating acts as a dielectric permitting normal electrical behavior of the microbridge at cryogenic temperatures.
Inventors
- 👤 with respect to an invention of Fletcher James C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- 👤 Louis B. Holderman
- 👤 Palmer N. Peters
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 08:27
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10N; H10N60/00; H10N60/10; H10N60/12; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S505/00; Y10S505/825; Y10S505/873; Y10S505/874
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A microbridge device for use in a superconductive quantum interference device comprising: a supporting substrate; a first element of superconductive material carried on said substrate; a second element of superconductive material carried on said substrate adjacent said first element defining a space therebetween; connecting means bridging said space and connecting said first and second elements to establish an electrical weak link therebetween; a coating of semiconductor material adjacent said first and second elements and said space electrically shunting said connecting means at room temperatures to prevent the destruction of said device by minute currents while acting as a dielectric permitting normal electrical behavior at cryogenic temperatures.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A microbridge device for use in a superconductive quantum interference device comprising: a supporting substrate; a first element of superconductive material carried on said substrate; a second element of superconductive material carried on said substrate adjacent said first element defining a space therebetween; connecting means bridging said space and connecting said first and second elements to establish an electrical weak link therebetween; a coating of semiconductor material adjacent said first and second elements and said space electrically shunting said connecting means at room temperatures to prevent the destruction of said device by minute currents while acting as a dielectric permitting normal electrical behavior at cryogenic temperatures.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a thin layer of oxide formed intermediate said semiconductor coating and said superconductive elements and connecting means reducing the interdiffusion of said superconductive and semiconductor materials.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said semiconductor material is germanium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said weak link includes a construction bridge formed from the same superconductive material as said first and second elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second elements are each carried directly on said substrate with horizontal spacing therebetween defining said space.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of protecting a weak link electrical device against destruction by minute currents at room temperature, the device having a supporting substrate, a pair of superconductive elements carried on said substrate with a finite space therebetween, and connecting means bridging said space and connecting said first and second superconductive element to establish a weak electrical link therebetween; said method comprising coating said fist and second superconductive elements with a semiconductor material which electrically shunts said connecting means at room temperature to prevent the destruction of said device by minute currents while acting as a dielectric and permitting normal electrical behavior of said device at cryogenic temperatures.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of protecting a weak link electrical device against destruction by minute currents at room temperature, the device having a supporting substrate, a pair of superconductive elements carried on said substrate with a finite space therebetween, and connecting means bridging said space and connecting said first and second superconductive element to establish a weak electrical link therebetween; said method comprising coating said fist and second superconductive elements with a semiconductor material which electrically shunts said connecting means at room temperature to prevent the destruction of said device by minute currents while acting as a dielectric and permitting normal electrical behavior of said device at cryogenic temperatures.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method as set forth in claim 6 further comprising forming a thin layer of oxide adjacent said first and second superconductive elements prior to coating said elements with said semiconductor material so as to reduce the interdiffusion of said superconductive and semiconductive materials.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said semiconductor material is germanium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said coating is formed by alternate periods of depositing a thin layer of said semiconductor material and allowing said material to cool until a desired coating thickness is formed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3646363A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-10-24 | 1981-04-25 | 1981-10-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-10-24 | 1985-04-25 | 1985-10-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-10-24 | 1989-04-25 | 1989-10-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |