Central research project report on superconductivity (1988). Part 1. Materials and IR detectors. Final report, March-September 1988

Technical Report · Thu Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:6293143

Hong, W S; Hove, J E; Taylor, M S

This report reviews and summarizes available information on the phases and crystal structures of known and predicted high-temperature superconductors (HTS). Materials involving thallium have already exhibited critical temperatures up to 125 K, and techniques have been suggested to increase this value. Recent theoretical efforts predict that room-temperature superconducting materials, if possible at all, may require different chemical compositions than those oxides presently under investigation. A second part of this report reviews the possible direct use of HTS as infrared sensor elements. This indicates little of no advantage over semiconductors; however, HTS use in the signal-processing circuitry of detector arrays may be highly beneficial. A second (later) report will describe a quantitative analysis on the feasibility of a self-guided probe weapon using superconducting magnetic field gradient sensors. While additional analysis and calculations are still necessary, the tentative conclusion on this Part II report is that an HTS seeker and guidance system may be feasible for the destruction of tanks, ships, submarines, or countermeasures such as flares, camouflage, or smoke screens.

• Research Organization: Institute for Defense Analyses, Alexandria, VA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6293143
• Report Number(s): AD-A-203891/7/XAB; IDA-M-548-PT-1
• Resource Relation: Other Information: IDA Independent Research Program
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CERAMICS
SUPERCONDUCTORS
DIRECTED-ENERGY WEAPONS
TRANSITION TEMPERATURE
BOLOMETERS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY
PROGRESS REPORT
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MEASURING METHODS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
THERMOGRAPHY
WEAPONS
360204* - Ceramics
Cermets
& Refractories- Physical Properties