Robin H Cantor

US Patent:

7247603, Jul 24, 2007

Filed:

Oct 20, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/970539

Inventors:

Robin Harold Cantor - Santa Fe NM, US
John Addison Hall - Albuquerque NM, US

Assignee:

Star Cryoelectronics - Santa Fe NM

International Classification:

H01L 39/10
H01L 29/12
H01B 1/00

US Classification:

505701, 505162, 505190, 505191, 505235, 505238, 622592, 136239, 327366, 327367, 361 19, 257 61, 428689, 428930

Abstract:

A Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) is disclosed comprising a pair of resistively shunted Josephson junctions connected in parallel within a superconducting loop and biased by an external direct current (dc) source. The SQUID comprises a semiconductor substrate and at least one superconducting layer. The metal layer(s) are separated by or covered with a semiconductor material layer having the properties of a conductor at room temperature and the properties of an insulator at operating temperatures (generally less than 100 Kelvins). The properties of the semiconductor material layer greatly reduces the risk of electrostatic discharge that can damage the device during normal handling of the device at room temperature, while still providing the insulating properties desired to allow normal functioning of the device at its operating temperature. A method of manufacturing the SQUID device is also disclosed.

US Patent:

20080277766, Nov 13, 2008

Filed:

Jul 19, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/184225

Inventors:

Robin Harold Cantor - Santa Fe NM, US
John Addison Hall - Albuquerque NM, US

International Classification:

H01L 23/58
H01L 21/311

US Classification:

257643, 438697, 257E2124

Abstract:

An improved structure for supporting a microcalorimeter device is disclosed. The structure comprises a substrate with superconducting wiring elements disposed on a surface of the substrate. A membrane layer is suspended above the wiring elements and the substrate surface by a tab element, and a microcalorimeter is disposed on top of the membrane layer. The tab and the membrane layer reside in a common plane, and the membrane layer comprises a material that can be applied and cured at low temperatures (e.g. 350 degrees Celsius or less), so as to have minimal affect on the superconductive wiring elements. The in-plane tab/membrane structure has improved reliability when subject to thermal cycling associated with cryogenic temperatures. A method for forming the structure is also disclosed.

US Patent:

56569378, Aug 12, 1997

Filed:

Jun 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/478061

Inventors:

Robin H. Cantor - San Jose CA

Assignee:

Conductus, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

G01R 3302
G01R 33035
H01L 2100
H01L 3922

US Classification:

324248

Abstract:

A multiple loop dc SQUID configuration with input and modulation circuitry configured for high-symmetry and low-noise operation is disclosed. The configuration is adaptable to implementation using standard thin film circuit fabrication technology. The SQUID inductance is defined by a plurality of washer-shaped thin superconducting films symmetrically oriented on a substrate and connected in series through a pair of Josephson junctions to form a multiple-washer gradiometric structure. The series connection arrangement also minimizes the number of required input and output terminal pads. Bias and modulation conductors are configured so as to prevent magnetic fields produced by currents flowing therethrough from coupling to the SQUID, and the modulation and input coil portions of the SQUID circuit are symmetrically configured to minimize signal coupling therebetween. A method of parameter selection for the input and modulation circuit portions of the SQUID configuration is disclosed which establishes a well-defined resonance point for the SQUID, within which low-noise operation is possible.

US Patent:

57670439, Jun 16, 1998

Filed:

Feb 21, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/393131

Inventors:

Robin H. Cantor - San Jose CA
Michael J. Burns - Mountain View CA

Assignee:

Conductus, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

H01L 3900
G01R 33035

US Classification:

505162

Abstract:

A low-noise directly coupled dc SQUID magnetometer is disclosed. The magnetometer provides for single layer fabrication and is particularly applicable to high-T. sub. c superconductors operating at 77 Kelvin. A pair of dc SQUIDs are connected and biased in series such that the output voltage modulation with applied flux of the dual SQUID magnetometer, is double that of a single SQUID magnetometer. The bias current is applied to one SQUID and removed from the second SQUID of the pair. The magnetometer pick-up coil is directly coupled to the SQUID pair, providing for coherent modulation of the series-connected SQUIDS and a reduction of flux density noise of the device by a factor of 1/. sqroot. 2.