A Cryogenic CMOS-based Control System for Testing Superconductor Electronics
Date
2008-03
Authors
Van Niekerk, Philip Charl
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
A Cryogenic CMOS-based Control System for Testing Superconductor
Electronics
P.C. van Niekerk
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
University of Stellenbosch
Private Bag X1, 7602 Matieland, South Africa
Thesis: M.Sc.Eng. (E&E)
March 2008
A complete control system, with accompanying software, is designed to interface superconductive
digital and sensory circuits for use in cryogenic vacuumed environments. It acts as an
inter-mediator between superconductor electronics and room temperature electronics for research
purposes.
In order to facilitate low bit-error rate communications with superconductive electronics, the
system is designed to have ultra low-noise current and voltage sources for transmitting data
to superconductor electronics. Very high sensitivity voltage inputs are also implemented for
data extraction from superconductor electronics. It implements both digital as well as analog
design components, including ADC and DAC devices. The data is transmitted via a USB cable
connection at 1Mbaud to a computer where the data is processed by specially designed software
and graphically displayed for user interfaced research.
Extensive research is done on the electronic components, such as CMOS devices, for functioning
in an average temperature of 70 Kelvin inside cryogenic environments. This is done to reduce
the thermal noise and heat transfer to superconductor electronics. An integrated temperature
control system also ensures a stable environment for the electronics to operate at 70 K.
Description
Thesis (MScEng (Electical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2008.
Keywords
Theses -- Electrical and electronic engineering, Dissertations -- Electrical and electronic engineering