In
electronics
Electronics is a scientific and engineering discipline that studies and applies the principles of physics to design, create, and operate devices that manipulate electrons and other Electric charge, electrically charged particles. It is a subfield ...
, cryoelectronics or cryolectronics is the study of
superconductivity
Superconductivity is a set of physical properties observed in superconductors: materials where Electrical resistance and conductance, electrical resistance vanishes and Magnetic field, magnetic fields are expelled from the material. Unlike an ord ...
under
cryogenic
In physics, cryogenics is the production and behaviour of materials at very low temperatures.
The 13th International Institute of Refrigeration's (IIR) International Congress of Refrigeration (held in Washington, DC in 1971) endorsed a univers ...
conditions and its applications. It is also described as the operation of power electronic devices at cryogenic temperatures.
Practical applications of this field is quite broad, although it is particularly useful in areas where
cryogenic
In physics, cryogenics is the production and behaviour of materials at very low temperatures.
The 13th International Institute of Refrigeration's (IIR) International Congress of Refrigeration (held in Washington, DC in 1971) endorsed a univers ...
environment exists such as superconducting technologies and
spacecraft
A spacecraft is a vehicle that is designed spaceflight, to fly and operate in outer space. Spacecraft are used for a variety of purposes, including Telecommunications, communications, Earth observation satellite, Earth observation, Weather s ...
design.
It also became a special branch of
cryophysics and cryotechnics and plays a role in operations that require high resolution and
precision measurements.
Cryoelectronic devices include the
SQUID
A squid (: squid) is a mollusc with an elongated soft body, large eyes, eight cephalopod limb, arms, and two tentacles in the orders Myopsida, Oegopsida, and Bathyteuthida (though many other molluscs within the broader Neocoleoidea are also ...
s or the superconducting quantum interference devices, which represent
magnetic sensors of highest sensitivity.
They serve as the backbone of applications that range from materials evaluation, geological and environmental prospecting, and medical diagnostics, among others.
Marketable Uses
A key factor in production of new technologies is whether it is cost effective and useful. Devices that make use of cryoelectronics and the applications of superconductivity such as computers, information transmission lines, and magnetocardiography have potential for commercial value outside of a few specific devices for singular purposes. At the same time, the presence of other devices made with highly specialized functions can be competitively marketed without having to rely on a large market.
* Devices and activities that are derived from this and have marketable functions include:
* Magnetometry: this includes magnetocardiography, communications, geomagnetism, and submarine detection. This includes several more specialized functions and some broader functions that can be derived from cryoelectronics.
* Computers: being able to mass-produce cheap, compact tunneling cryotron provides a diverse base of uses and marketing.
* Electrical Metrology: Allowing for more precise readings and measurements of current, voltage, power, and attenuation ratio, this will allow for more precise control over maintaining legal levels which provides a specific need and use for the technology.
* Galvanometers: a range of measurement devices that will be of use to the scientific field though more precise measurements in specialized fields.
[https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/GOVPUB-C13-6f39663fa1719eb70b404d1a5f4a0dff/pdf/GOVPUB-C13-6f39663fa1719eb70b404d1a5f4a0dff.pdf ]
References
Superconductivity
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