+ Visit NASA.gov + Contact NASA   + Home Collection > NASA  Author > Moseley, Samuel H.  NASA Center > Goddard Space Flight Center  Publication Year > 2001-2010 > 2008  Subject > G-I > Instrumentation And Photography  Availability Options > Order From Other Sources  Item/Media Type > Conference Paper  Note: Start a new navigation search by selecting a link above     Previous Record | Next Record + Back to Results   + Printer Friendly Title: Superconducting Detectors Come of Age, or Ready to Leave the Lab Author(s): Moseley, Samuel H. Abstract: Cryogenically cooled superconducting detectors have become essential tools for a wide range of measurement applications, ranging from quantum limited heterodyne detection in the millimeter range to direct searches for dark matter with superconducting phonon detectors operating at 20 mK. Superconducting detectors have several fundamental and practical advantages which have resulted in their rapid adoption by experimenters. Their excellent performance arises in part from reductions in noise resulting from their low operating temperatures, but unique superconducting properties provide a wide range of mechanisms for detection. For example, the steep dependence of resistance with temperature on the superconductor normal transition provides a sensitive thermometer for calorimetric and bolometric applications. Parametric changes in the properties of superconducting resonators provide a mechanism for high sensitivity detection of submillil.neter photons. From a practical point of view, the use of superconducting detectors has grown rapidly because many of these devices couple well to SQUID amplifiers, which are easily integrated with the detectors. These SQUID-based amplifiers and multiplexers have matured with the detectors; they are convenient to use, and have excellent noise performance. The first generation of fully integrated large-scale superconducting detection systems is now being deployed. Improved understanding of the operation of these detectors, combined with rapidly improving fabrication techniques, is quickly expanding the capability of these detectors. I will review the development and application of superconductor-based detectors, the ultimate limits to their performance, and consider prospects for their future applications. Continued advances promise to enable important new measurements in physics, and with appropriate advances in cryogenic infrastncturem, ay result in the use of these detectors in everyday monitoring applications. NASA Center: Goddard Space Flight Center Publication Date: November 17, 2008 Document Source: Other Sources No Digital Version Available: Go to Tips On Ordering Available Data: Abstract Only Document ID: 20080044726 Publication Information: Number of Pages = 1 Meeting Information: Astrophysics Detector Workshop, 17-20 Nov. 2008, Nice, France Keywords: SUPERCONDUCTIVITY; SQUID (DETECTORS); CRYOGENICS; BOLOMETERS; CALORIMETERS; RESONATORS; Accessibility: Unclassified; No Copyright; Unlimited; Publicly available; Updated/Added to NTRS: 2009-01-14 + Back to Top + Sponsored by the NASA Scientific and Technical    Information Program + 2004 Vision for Space Exploration + Freedom of Information Act + NASA Web Privacy Policy and Important Notices + NASA Disclaimers, Copyright Notice,    and Terms and Conditions of Use NASA Official: Calvin Mackey Page Curator: NASA Center for AeroSpace Information (help@sti.nasa.gov) Last Updated: July 5, 2007