Project Title:

High-Temperature Superconductor, Yttria-Stabilized, Zirconia Membrane Bolometer

92-1-08.10-6700                                                   NAS05-32412
High-Temperature Superconductor, Yttria-Stabilized,
     Zirconia Membrane Bolometer
Conductus, Inc.
969 West Maude Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA  94086
Vincent Kotsubo                                      (408-737-6700)

Abstract:

     An array-compatible bolometer for operation at 90 K will be
developed for use at long wavelengths and very long wavelengths of
infrared radiation. The device will consist of a YBCO high-
temperature-superconducting thin film as a temperature sensor, and
an yttria-stabilized, zirconia membrane as the supporting struc-
ture. The use of the membrane is innovative because it has low
heat capacity and thermal conductivity, which should provide a
noise-equivalent power of 4.6 x 10-12 W/Hz«, a factor of 4
improvement over the best existing bolometer technology of 1.88 x
10-11 W/Hz«. Because microfabrication and photolithographic
techniques will be used, this bolometer will be compatible with
array fabrication. NASA will use the new infrared sensor
technologies in the 65-90 K temperature range during long-life
missions where the use of liquid helium is not practical.

Potential Commercial Application:

Potential Commercial Applications:  University, government, and
commercial laboratories will use these bolometers in commercial
infrared spectrometers for chemical analysis.

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