Automated Cryogenic Cooling System for Superconducting Electronics

Continued progress in the development of niobium superconducting electronics (SCE) has made viable for the first time consideration of SCE-based radio frequency (RF) communications systems for a wide range of military platforms. However, before the objective wide scale deployment can be achieved, certain associated fundamental engineering challenges must be overcome. Magnetic field control represents one such challenge. The superconducting (SC) core must be cooled in a controlled fashion that virtually eliminates magnetic flux trapping. The solution to this problem must be affordable and easily implemented, which essentially requires that the cool down process be automated so that any trained communications engineer can utilize the equipment without the support of a SCE/magnetic flux trapping expert. The proposed Automated Cryogenic Cooling System for Superconducting Electronics Program addresses this need by combining the required cryogenic cooling and magnetic flux minimization functions into the Cryocooler System. The critical initial steps involve fundamental research to quantify and better understand the underlying physics, followed by a systematic prototype testing program. The fundamental understanding gained will support future efforts to provide a low magnetic field operating environment for SCE regardless the type of cryogenic cooling system.