US4168441A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Picosecond pulse generator utilizing a Josephson junction
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1977-12-20
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Granted: 1979-09-18
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Expires: 1997-12-20
Abstract
Abstract A picosecond pulse generator for producing pulses having widths in the order of 10-12 seconds utilizes a Josephson junction that has an external load resistor connected in shunt therewith by a balanced transmission line. The Josephson junction is driven by a high frequency oscillator, and the AC current, I1, flowing through it is adapted to have its amplitude varied with respect to Ic, the critical current of the junction. As the value of I1/Ic exceeds one and increases, first a single and then an increasing number of picosecond pulses are produced during each half cycle of the high frequency oscillator.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald G. McDonald
- 👤 Robert L. Peterson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:02
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K3/00; H03K3/02; H03K3/38; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S505/00; Y10S505/825; Y10S505/856; Y10S505/857; Y10S505/863; Y10S505/864
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
In a method of operating a Josephson junction so as to generate picosecond pulses the steps of shunting the Josephson junction with only a load resistor; and supplying a high frequency variable amplitude bias current to said Josephson junction, the amplitude of said bias current being selected so as to exceed the critical current of said Josephson junction by an amount depending upon the number of picosecond pulses which are to be generated across said load resistor during each half cycle of said bias current.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
In a method of operating a Josephson junction so as to generate picosecond pulses the steps of shunting the Josephson junction with only a load resistor; and supplying a high frequency variable amplitude bias current to said Josephson junction, the amplitude of said bias current being selected so as to exceed the critical current of said Josephson junction by an amount depending upon the number of picosecond pulses which are to be generated across said load resistor during each half cycle of said bias current.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
A picosecond width pulse generator, comprising in combination a Josephson junction; an external load resistor connected across said junction; and means for supplying a high frequency AC current to said Josephson junction, a portion of said AC current flowing through the parallel path provided by said external resistance. the amplitude of said high frequency AC current being such that at least one picosecond pulse is produced across said resistor during each half cycle of said high frequency AC current.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
A picosecond width pulse generator, comprising in combination a Josephson junction; an external load resistor connected across said junction; and means for supplying a high frequency AC current to said Josephson junction, a portion of said AC current flowing through the parallel path provided by said external resistance. the amplitude of said high frequency AC current being such that at least one picosecond pulse is produced across said resistor during each half cycle of said high frequency AC current.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a method for operating a Josephson junction so as to generate picosecond pulses, the steps of providing a shunt path for said Josephson junction containing a load resistor; and feeding a high frequency AC current to said Josephson junction whose amplitude is such that the current flowing through said Josephson junction exceeds the critical current of said Josephson junction, the amount by which the AC current fed to said Josephson junction exceeds said critical current determining the number of picosecond pulses generated across said resistor during each half cycle of said AC current.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a method for operating a Josephson junction so as to generate picosecond pulses, the steps of providing a shunt path for said Josephson junction containing a load resistor; and feeding a high frequency AC current to said Josephson junction whose amplitude is such that the current flowing through said Josephson junction exceeds the critical current of said Josephson junction, the amount by which the AC current fed to said Josephson junction exceeds said critical current determining the number of picosecond pulses generated across said resistor during each half cycle of said AC current.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus for generating picosecond pulses, comprising in combination a Josephson junction; a load resistor connected across said Josephson junction; a microwave oscillator; and means for connecting said microwave oscillator across said Josephson junction, said microwave oscillator feeding an AC current to said Josephson junction whose amplitude exceeds the critical current of said Josephson junction by a preselected amount determined by the number of picosecond pulses that are to be produced across said resistor during each half cycle of said microwave oscillator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus for generating picosecond pulses, comprising in combination a Josephson junction; a load resistor connected across said Josephson junction; a microwave oscillator; and means for connecting said microwave oscillator across said Josephson junction, said microwave oscillator feeding an AC current to said Josephson junction whose amplitude exceeds the critical current of said Josephson junction by a preselected amount determined by the number of picosecond pulses that are to be produced across said resistor during each half cycle of said microwave oscillator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
In an arrangement as defined in claim 4 wherein the AC current has a value such that a plurality of pulses are produced during each half cycle of said microwave oscillator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
In an arrangement as defined in claim 4 wherein said load resistor and said microwave oscillator are connected across said Josephson junction by balanced transmission lines.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
In an arrangement as defined in claim 6 wherein the balanced transmission line connecting said microwave oscillator across said Josephson junction includes microstriplines made of Pb alloy.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-09-17 | 1983-03-19 | 1983-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-09-17 | 1987-03-19 | 1987-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-09-17 | 1991-03-19 | 1991-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |