Cryogenic Voltage Comparator System for 2e/h Measurements

The design and operation of a cryogenic voltage comparator system for precision 2e/h measurements is described. Major improvements embodied in the new 2e/h system include the use of 1) a single microstripline-coupled Josephson tunnel junction to obtain usable step voltages up to 10 mV at 10.0 GHz, 2) a cryogenic voltage divider comprised of two resistors whose ratio is calibrated with a low-temperature dc current comparator, 3) a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) null detector, and 4) superconducting switching. The accuracy of the present 196:1 divider system is estimated to be about 2 parts in 108 on the basis of preliminary tests and is limited by resistor self-heating during calibration.