News
New publication: “A nanocryotron comparator can connect single-flux-quantum circuits to conventional electronics”
We demonstrate the use of a single three-terminal superconducting-nanowire device, called the nanocryotron (nTron), as a digital comparator to combine SFQ circuits with mature semiconductor circuits such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuits. Since SFQ circuits can digitize output signals from general superconducting devices and CMOS circuits can interface existing CMOS-compatible electronics, our results demonstrate the feasibility of a general architecture that uses an nTron as an interface to realize a ‘super-hybrid’ system consisting of superconducting detectors, superconducting quantum electronics, CMOS logic gates and memories, and other conventional electronics. A full description of the publication may be found here.
Citation:
Qing-Yuan Zhao, Adam N. McCaughan, Andrew E. Dane, Karl K. Berggren, Thomas Ortlepp.“A nanocryotron comparator can connect single-flux-quantum circuits to conventional electronics,” Supercond. Sci. Technol., vol. 30, no. 4, p. 044002, 2017.
New publication: “Photoemission from Plasmonic Nanoparticles”
We demonstrate strong-field, carrier-envelope-phase-sensitive photoemission from arrays of tailored metallic nanoparticles, and we show the influence of the nanoparticle geometry and the plasmon resonance on the phase-sensitive response. Additionally, from a technological standpoint, we push strong-field light–matter interactions to the chip scale. A complete description of the publication may be found here.
Citation:
William P. Putnam, Richard G. Hobbs, Phillip D. Keathley, Karl K. Berggren, and Franz X. Kärtner. “Photoemission from plasmonic nanoparticles.” Nature Physics., Manuscript DOI: 10.1038/nphys3978. Available Online: December 19, 2016
New publication: “Using Geometry to Sense Current”
We describe a superconducting three-terminal Y-shaped device that uses a simple geometric effect known as current crowding to sense the flow of current and actuate a readout signal. A complete description of the publication may be found here.
Citation:
Adam N. McCaughan, Nathaniel S. Abebe, Qing-Yuan Zhao, and Karl J. Berggren. “Using geometry to sense current.” Nano Lett., Article ASAP., Manuscript DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.6b03593. Available Online: November 29, 2016
Adam McCaughan awarded 2016 Jin-Au Kong Award for outstanding PhD thesis in EE
Congratulations to Adam McCaughan for being awarded the 2016 Jin-Au Kong Award for outstanding PhD thesis in electrical engineering. Adam’s thesis, titled, “Superconducting Thin Film Nanoelectronics,” describes his work on developing novel superconducting devices by nano-patterning thin films into 2D geometries for applications including amplification, metrology, and sensing. More information about this award may be found here.
Professor Berggren awarded the Frank Quick Research Innovation Fellowship
Congratulations to Professor Berggren on being awarded the Frank Quick Research Innovation Fellowship (FRIF). The FRIF was created through the generosity of EECS alumnus Frank Quick ’69, SM ’70 to recognize midcareer faculty for outstanding research contributions and international leadership in their fields. Prof. Berggren has been recognized for his work on nanofabrication, especially applied to superconductive sensors and circuits, photodetectors, electronics and computing, and energy systems. Read more about this award and the other MIT faculty who were awarded the FRIF here.