US5090819A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Superconducting bolometer
Assignee: Silicon Valley Bank Inc
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Filing: 1990-08-20
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Granted: 1992-02-25
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Expires: 2010-08-20
Abstract
Abstract A superconducting transition edge bolometer is constructed using high critical temperature conducting films by stabilizing a substrate of magnesium oxide or sapphire with a silicon base that is bonded to the substrate using a thermally conductive bonding layer. The base is etched away in the region of the desired radiation detecting portion of the superconductor establishing a controlled thermal connection between the detecting portion and the base which base serves as a thermal bath for the bolometer.
Inventors
- 👤 Aharon Kapitulnik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:39
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10N; H10N60/00; H10N60/80; H10N60/84; G; G01; G01J; G01J5/00; G01J5/10; G01J5/20; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S505/00; Y10S505/825; Y10S505/842; Y10S505/847; Y10S505/848; Y10S505/849
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A superconducting transition edge bolometer adapted to change electrical resistance in the region corresponding to the onset of superconductivity in response to incident radiation comprising: a high Tc superconducting circuit element means comprising a thermally conductive substrate of material with a crystalline structure and lattice spacing substantially the same as that of copper oxide high Tc superconductors so as to support the epitaxial growth of said copper oxide superconductors thereon, and further comprising a layer of copper oxide superconductor epitaxially formed on said thermally conductive substrate, said circuit element means shaped so as to have a central detection portion and at least two thermally conductive attachment portions connected to said detection portion; a silicon base forming a reference cooling bath means; a thermally conductive bonding layer between said base and said attachment portions; an opening in said base positioned to thermally isolate said detection portion from said base and form a thermally conductive path only through said attachment portions to said base; and means to monitor the resistance of said circuit element means as an indicator of the incidence of radiation on said detection portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
A superconducting transition edge bolometer adapted to change electrical resistance in the region corresponding to the onset of superconductivity in response to incident radiation comprising: a high Tc superconducting circuit element means comprising a thermally conductive substrate of material with a crystalline structure and lattice spacing substantially the same as that of copper oxide high Tc superconductors so as to support the epitaxial growth of said copper oxide superconductors thereon, and further comprising a layer of copper oxide superconductor epitaxially formed on said thermally conductive substrate, said circuit element means shaped so as to have a central detection portion and at least two thermally conductive attachment portions connected to said detection portion; a silicon base forming a reference cooling bath means; a thermally conductive bonding layer between said base and said attachment portions; an opening in said base positioned to thermally isolate said detection portion from said base and form a thermally conductive path only through said attachment portions to said base; and means to monitor the resistance of said circuit element means as an indicator of the incidence of radiation on said detection portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The bolometer of claim 1 in which said substrate comprises magnesium oxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The bolometer of claim 1 in which said substrate comprises aluminum oxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The bolometer of claim 1 in which said bonding layer comprises a metal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The bolometer of claim 1 in which said bonding layer comprises an organic glue.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The bolometer of claim 1 in which the bonding layer comprises a brazed junction between said substrate and said silicon base.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The bolometer of claim 1 in which the bonding layer comprises layers of chrome, gold, and indium on the silicon base fused and alloyed to layers of chrome, gold, and indium on said substrate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The bolometer of claim 7 in which said substrate is magnesium oxide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The bolometer of claim 7 in which said substrate is aluminum oxide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The bolometer of claim 1 in which said bonding layer extends beyond said attachment portions and across said detection portion so as to provide an additional thermal conduction path from the detection portion to the silicon base.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The bolometer of claim 10 in which said bonding layer comprises a metal alloy layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The bolometer of claim 11 in which said substrate is magnesium oxide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The bolometer of claim 11 in which said substrate is aluminum oxide.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The bolometer of claim 10 in which the bonding layer comprises a brazed junction between said substrate and said silicon base.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The bolometer of claim 14 in which the bonding layer is a melted layer of metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum and magnesium.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The bolometer of claim 10 in which the bonding layer comprises layers of chrome, gold, and indium on the silicon base fused and alloyed to layers of chrome, gold, and indium on said substrate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The bolometer of claim 10 in which said substrate is magnesium oxide.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The bolometer of claim 10 in which said substrate is aluminum oxide.
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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) | 1995-02-24 | 1995-08-26 | 1996-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-02-24 | 1999-08-26 | 2000-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-02-24 | 2003-08-26 | 2004-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |