USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Marcio Calixto De Andrade

Anna Leese De Escobar

Benjamin J Taylor

Susan Anne Elizabeth Berggren

Robert Lewis Fagaly

Michael O'Brien

Lee Lemay

Eric C Fisher

Stephen Douglas Russell

Ayax D Ramirez

Brandon J Wiedemeier

Nackieb M Kamin

Shannon D Kasa

David G Garmire

Cody K Hayashi

Richard C Ordonez

Brian A Higa

Matthew A Yanagi

Jamie R Lukos

A receiver for detecting at least one electromagnetic signal while the receiver is moving relative to the Earth's magnetic field, the receiver comprising: an SQUID array for generating an output that is a transfer function of SQUID array magnetic flux that is supplied from a combination of an oscillating magnetic field of the at least one electromagnetic signal, the Earth's magnetic field, and a bias magnetic field; a bias-tee configured to divide the SQUID array output into a DC signal and an RF signal; a memory store configured to store a plurality of voltage and flux bias values, wherein each voltage value has a corresponding flux bias value that results in maximum SQUID array sensitivity; and a logic circuit configured to find a voltage value in the memory store that most closely matches the DC signal, and to apply to the SQUID array a flux bias corresponding to the most closely matched voltage value.

Superconducting quantum interference array receiver and method for digitally controlling magnetic flux bias thereof

Pulsating radio star (PULSAR) navigation systems and methods can include a plurality of PULSARs that can emit PULSAR radiation pulses in the millisecond range, and a plurality of Josephson Junctions (JJs) that can be arranged as an array of microantennas. The systems and methods can include a cryogenic cooling system for cooling the JJs to an operating temperature based on the JJ materials, and a thermal management system for maintaining the operating temperature. An oscillator can determine times of arrival (TOAs) of magnetic field components of the PULSAR pulses. A processor can compute the terrestrial position of the navigation system using the TOAs and the known celestial position of the PULSARs. A GPS sub-system can be included for navigation using GPS signals. The processor can be configured to compute terrestrial location using the PULSAR magnetic field components when GPS signal strength falls below a predetermined level or is lost.

Systems and methods for navigation using PULSARs

A circuit includes a Superconducting Quantum Interference Array (SQIF), a bias circuit, and a coil. The SQIF generates an output voltage that is a transfer function of the magnetic flux perpendicularly passing through the SQIF. An external magnetic field and a bias magnetic field supply the magnetic flux. The bias circuit generates a bias current for biasing the SQIF at an operating point. The coil generates the bias magnetic field through the SQIF from the bias current of the bias circuit. The bias magnetic field provides nullifying feedback to the SQIF that counterbalances a low-frequency portion of the external magnetic field, such that the output voltage of the SQIF detects a high-frequency portion of the external magnetic field. The circuit can be a receiver with the output voltage of the SQIF detecting an electromagnetic signal while the receiver is moving with changing orientation relative to the Earth's magnetic field.

Circuits and method for biasing magnetic flux through a superconducting quantum interference array

A superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) for mobile magnetic sensing applications comprising: at least two Josephson junction electrically connected to a superconducting loop; and a resistive element connected in series with one of the Josephson junctions in the superconducting loop. The resistive element is disposed in the same superconducting loop as the at least two Josephson junctions.

SQUID having integrated resistive element

A superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) for mobile applications comprising: a superconducting flux transformer having a pickup coil and an input coil, wherein the input coil is inductively coupled to a Josephson junction; a resistive element connected in series between the pickup coil and the input coil so as to function as a high pass filter such that direct current (DC) bias current is prevented from flowing through the input coil; and a flux bias circuit electrically connected in parallel to the superconducting flux transformer between the pickup coil and the input coil so as to reduce motion-induced noise.

Magnetic sensor with combined high pass flux concentrator and flux biasing circuit

Disclosed is a transceiver that includes a three-dimensional array of Josephson junctions. When transmitting, the junctions drive an array of micro-antennas. When receiving, the micro-antennas drive the array of Josephson junctions. By extending the junction array into the third dimension, this transceiver packages a large number of Josephson junctions into a small volume, thus increasing the power of a transmitted beam. Multiple different micro-antenna arrays can be included, thus allowing the transceiver to work efficiently at multiple frequency ranges.

Josephson junction-based transceiver

An intrinsic superconducting gradiometer comprising: a first array having at least two superconducting devices, wherein the first array has upper and lower terminals located on opposite sides of the first array, wherein the upper terminal is configured to receive a bias signal; and a second array that is identical to, oriented the same as, and located in close proximity to the first array, wherein the second array's upper terminal is grounded and its lower terminal is electrically connected to the first array's lower terminal such that a measured voltage difference between the first array's upper terminal and the second array's upper terminal represents a net current generated by a gradient magnetic field where near-field measurements are cancelled, and wherein the intrinsic superconducting gradiometer is designed to provide the measured voltage difference that is directly proportional to the magnetic field gradient without being connected to any external coils or flux transducers.

SQUID array planar and axial gradiometer

A biosignal measuring device that can include at least one Super-conducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) array (SQA) of High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) Josephson Junctions (JJs). The HTS JJs operating parameters can be adjusted to establish an anti-peak response for the SQA, that can be at a maximum along a defined response axis, for detection of extremely small biomagnetic fields. For operation, the SQA can be maneuvered around a target area of a stationary subject that is emitting biomagnetic signals using a stand with three degrees of freedom, so that the response axis remains orthogonal to the subject target area. The device can further include a radome with an atomic layer deposition (ALD) window on the radome surface. The radome ALD surface can allow for passage of magnetic signals through the ALD window and radome, while simultaneously preventing passage of infrared radiation therethrough.

Detection of biomagnetic signals using quantum detector arrays

An antenna includes a plurality of superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) arrays on a chip, and a printed circuit board (PCB) formed with a cutout for receiving the chip. The PCB is formed with a set of coplanar transmission lines, and the chip is inserted into the cutout so that each said transmission line connects to a respective SQUID array. A cryogenic system can cool the chip to a temperature that causes a transition to superconductivity for the SQUID arrays. A thermal radome can be placed around the chip, the PCB and the cryogenic system to maintain the temperature. A DC bias can be applied to the SQUID arrays to facilitate RF detection. The SQUID array, chip and CPW transmission lines can cooperate to allow for both detection of said RF energy and conversion of said RF energy to a signal without requiring the use of a conductive antenna dish.

System and method for broadband far and near field radio frequency radiation detection using superconducting quantum detector arrays

An apparatus allows a sample mounted within a temperature controlled radome system to be tested. The apparatus maintains the sample under controlled temperatures and allows radiation from a radiation source to expose the sample to broadband electromagnetic radiation of varying power, frequency and angle of incidence.

Method and apparatus for measurement of physical properties of matter under simultaneous control of radio frequency and variable temperatures

A system includes a semiconductor substrate having at least two electrodes disposed thereon, a dielectric layer disposed over the electrodes, a graphene layer disposed over the dielectric layer and electrically isolated from the electrodes, and a differential amplifier operatively connected to the electrodes and electrically isolated from the graphene layer. A radiation-sensitive layer may be disposed over the graphene layer and a voltage source may be operatively connected to two of the electrodes. The system may be contained on an integrated circuit and may be used to sense radiation in liquid and gas form.

Capacitive-based graphene sensor

A device includes a circuitry layer having one or more circuitry regions and a superconducting layer having a plurality of naturally-occurring defects. Potential wells are formed in the superconducting layer and located outside of the bounds of the circuitry regions. A pattern of engineered defects is formed in the superconducting layer and are configured such that, upon encountering a pulse of electromagnetic energy applied at a high potential region of the superconducting layer prior to energizing any circuits within the circuitry layer and when the superconducting layer is in a superconducting state, magnetic flux trapped within the naturally-occurring defects is directed to one or more of the potential wells.

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San Diego, CA, United States of America

Marcio Calixto De Andrade