1,340 research outputs found
Multiplexable Kinetic Inductance Detectors
We are starting to investigate a novel multiplexable readout method that can be applied to a large class of superconducting pair-breaking detectors. This readout method is completely different from those currently used with STJ and TES detectors, and in principle could deliver large pixel counts, high sensitivity, and Fano-limited spectral resolution. The readout is based on the fact that the kinetic surface inductance L_s of a superconductor is a function of the density of quasiparticles n, even at temperatures far below T_c. An efficient way to measure changes in the kinetic inductance is to monitor the transmission phase of a resonant circuit. By working at microwave frequencies and using thin films, the kinetic inductance can be a significant part of the total inductance L, and the volume of the inductor can be made quite small, on the order of 1 µm^3. As is done with other superconducting detectors, trapping could be used to concentrate the quasiparticles into the small volume of the inductor. However, the most intriguing aspect of the concept is that passive frequency multiplexing could be used to read out ~10^3 detectors with a single HEMT amplifier
Mesoscopic Cavity Quantum Electrodynamics with Quantum Dots
We describe an electrodynamic mechanism for coherent, quantum mechanical
coupling between spacially separated quantum dots on a microchip. The technique
is based on capacitive interactions between the electron charge and a
superconducting transmission line resonator, and is closely related to atomic
cavity quantum electrodynamics. We investigate several potential applications
of this technique which have varying degrees of complexity. In particular, we
demonstrate that this mechanism allows design and investigation of an on-chip
double-dot microscopic maser. Moreover, the interaction may be extended to
couple spatially separated electron spin states while only virtually populating
fast-decaying superpositions of charge states. This represents an effective,
controllable long-range interaction, which may facilitate implementation of
quantum information processing with electron spin qubits and potentially allow
coupling to other quantum systems such as atomic or superconducting qubits.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure
Intercalant-Driven Superconductivity in YbC and CaC
Recently deiscovered superconductivity in YbC and CaC at temperatures
substantially higher than previously known for intercalated graphites, raised
several new questions: (1) Is the mechanism considerably different from the
previously known intercalated graphites? (2) If superconductivity is
conventional, what are the relevant phonons? (3) Given extreme similarity
between YbC and CaCa, why their critical temperatures are so different?
We address these questions on the basis of first-principles calculations and
conclude that coupling with intercalant phonons is likely to be the main force
for superconductivity in YbC and CaC, but not in alkaline-intercalated
compounds, and explain the difference in by the ``isotope effect'' due to
the difference in Yb and Ca atomic masses.Comment: 4 pages, embedded postscript figire
Two-gap superconductivity in MgB: clean or dirty?
A large number of experimental facts and theoretical arguments favor a
two-gap model for superconductivity in MgB. However, this model predicts
strong suppression of the critical temperature by interband impurity scattering
and, presumably, a strong correlation between the critical temperature and the
residual resistivity. No such correlation has been observed. We argue that this
fact can be understood if the band disparity of the electronic structure is
taken into account, not only in the superconducting state, but also in normal
transport
Thin film dielectric microstrip kinetic inductance detectors
Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors, or MKIDs, are a type of low
temperature detector that exhibit intrinsic frequency domain multiplexing at
microwave frequencies. We present the first theory and measurements on a MKID
based on a microstrip transmission line resonator. A complete characterization
of the dielectric loss and noise properties of these resonators is performed,
and agrees well with the derived theory. A competitive noise equivalent power
of 5 W Hz at 1 Hz has been demonstrated. The
resonators exhibit the highest quality factors known in a microstrip resonator
with a deposited thin film dielectric.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, APL accepte
Simulated Extragalactic Observations with a Cryogenic Imaging Spectrophotometer
In this paper we explore the application of cryogenic imaging
spectrophotometers. Prototypes of this new class of detector, such as
superconducting tunnel junctions (STJs) and transition edge sensors (TESs),
currently deliver low resolution imaging spectrophotometry with high quantum
efficiency (70-100%) and no read noise over a wide bandpass in the visible to
near-infrared. In order to demonstrate their utility and the differences in
observing strategy needed to maximize their scientific return, we present
simulated observations of a deep extragalactic field. Using a simple analytic
technique, we can estimate both the galaxy redshift and spectral type more
accurately than is possible with current broadband techniques. From our
simulated observations and a subsequent discussion of the expected migration
path for this new technology, we illustrate the power and promise of these
devices.Comment: 30 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in the Astronomical
Journa
"Chain scenario" for Josephson tunneling with pi-shift in YBa2Cu3O7
We point out that all current Josephson-junction experiments probing directly
the symmetry of the superconducting state in YBa2Cu3O7, can be interpreted in
terms of the bilayer antiferromagnetic spin fluctuation model, which renders
the superconducting state with the order parameters of extended symmetry,
but with the opposite signs in the bonding and antibonding Cu-O plane bands.
The essential part of our interpretation includes the Cu-O chain band which
would have the order parameter of the same sign as antibonding plane band. We
show that in this case net Josephson currents along and perpendicular to the
chains have the phase shift equal to pi.Comment: 4 pages, revtex, 1 figure uuencoded (POSTSCRIPT figure replaced - the
previous file did not print Greek letters correctly
In-situ measurement of the permittivity of helium using microwave NbN resonators
By measuring the electrical transport properties of superconducting NbN
quarter-wave resonators in direct contact with a helium bath, we have
demonstrated a high-speed and spatially sensitive sensor for the permittivity
of helium. In our implementation a mm sensing volume is
measured with a bandwidth of 300 kHz in the temperature range 1.8 to 8.8 K. The
minimum detectable change of the permittivity of helium is calculated to be
/Hz with a sensitivity of order
/Hz easily achievable. Potential applications
include operation as a fast, localized helium thermometer and as a transducer
in superfluid hydrodynamic experiments.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
Optical Pulse-Phased Photopolarimetry of PSR B0656+14
We have observed the optical pulse profile of PSR B0656+14 in 10 phase bins
at a high signal-to-noise ratio, and have measured the linear polarization
profile over 30% of the pulsar period with some significance. The pulse profile
is double-peaked, with a bridge of emission between the two peaks, similar to
gamma-ray profiles observed in other pulsars. There is no detectable unpulsed
flux, to a 1-sigma limit of 16% of the pulse-averaged flux. The emission in the
bridge is highly (~ 100%) polarized, with a position angle sweep in excellent
agreement with the prediction of the Rotating Vector Model as determined from
radio polarization observations. We are able to account for the gross features
of the optical light curve (i.e., the phase separation of the peaks) using both
polar cap and outer gap models. Using the polar cap model, we are also able to
estimate the height of the optical emission regions.Comment: 27 pages, 11 figures, accepted by ApJ (scheduled v597 n2, November
10, 2003
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