Abstract :
An overview of semiconductor-based and superconductor-based low-temperature electronics is presented. The general issues of reliability and thermal expansion mismatch are discussed. The discussion of semiconductor electronics starts with a description of a cryogenic supercomputer, the ETA, and then covers devices and materials, noise and applications to signal processing for sensors. Superconductor electronics is then discussed, including signal processing, digital systems, and oscillating junctions. The success of electronics with small numbers of Josephson junctions and the outlook for higher-temperature operation are addressed. Hybrid applications, combining semiconductor and superconductor technologies at the device, circuit, or system level, are examined, highlighting the problems of electrical interfacing and interconnections.<>
Keywords :
electron device noise; low-temperature techniques; reliability; semiconductor devices; superconducting junction devices; ETA; Josephson junctions; cryogenic supercomputer; digital systems; electrical interfacing; interconnections; low-temperature electronics; noise; oscillating junctions; reliability; semiconductor electronics; signal processing; superconductor electronics; superconductor technologies; thermal expansion mismatch; Circuit noise; Cryogenics; Josephson junctions; Semiconductor device noise; Semiconductor materials; Supercomputers; Superconducting device noise; Superconducting materials; Thermal expansion; Time of arrival estimation;
