Tunnel superconducting junctions for a cryogenic multiplexing system

Abstract

the possibility of using superconductor–insulator–superconductor (SIS) tunnel junctions in a cryogenic multiplexing system for setting an ac current through arrays of transition edge sensors and reading out the received signal, as well as for setting a dc current through arrays of superconducting quantum interferometers is studied. Operation of the SIS frequency converter at relatively low (below 10 GHz) working frequencies is experimentally investigated. Different operation regimes are implemented; the conversion loss in the quasiparticle mode is found to be 8 dB and the output saturation power is–58 dBm. The possibility of up-conversion of several input signal frequencies simultaneously is demonstrated. It is shown that the SIS junction can be used as a current source controlled by an external RF signal.