The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 05, 2021
Filed:
Jan. 30, 2019
Eric C. Gingrich, Elkridge, MD (US);
Randall M. Burnett, Catonsville, MD (US);
Donald L. Miller, Export, PA (US);
Eric C. Gingrich, Elkridge, MD (US);
Randall M. Burnett, Catonsville, MD (US);
Donald L. Miller, Export, PA (US);
NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION, Falls Church, VA (US);
Abstract
A bistable device allows supercurrent to flow when functioning in one regime, wherein magnetization directions of different magnetic layers are antiparallel, but restricts supercurrent when switched to function in a resistive regime, wherein the magnetization directions are parallel. In the first regime, the device acts as a Josephson junction, which allows it to be used in superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) and other circuits in which quantization of magnetic flux in a superconducting loop is desired. In the second, resistive regime, flux quantization is effectively eliminated in loops containing the device, and current is diverted to parallel superconducting components. The bistable device thereby acts as a superconducting switch, useful for a variety of circuit applications, including to steer current for memory or logic circuits, adjust logical circuit functionality at runtime, or to burn off stray flux during cooldown.