Improved Magnetic Shielding for Superconductor Electronics Navy SBIR FY2008.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2008.1 Topic No.: N08-060 Topic Title: Improved Magnetic Shielding for Superconductor Electronics Proposal No.: N081-060-0712 Firm: HYPRES. Inc. 175 Clearbrook Road Elmsford, New York 10523 Contact: Sergey Tolpygo Phone: (914) 592-1190 Web Site: www.hypres.com Abstract: HYPRES has developed and demonstrated a family of wideband digital-RF receiver systems for applications in satellite and RF communications, signal intelligence and electronic warfare. In the heart of these systems are ultrahigh speed circuits of superconductor digital electronics. For a high fidelity operation, superconductor electronics needs magnetic environment that attenuates magnetic fields associated with Earth, system platform, and low frequency magnetic interference. This proposal focuses on the development of the novel approach to magnetic shielding of electronics - active magnetic cancellation. It is proposed to develop a hybrid magnetic shielding system comprised of a conventional mu-metal shield and a system of active canceling of the residual fields inside the shield. The system will include high-sensitivity magnetic sensors based on superconducting quantum interference filters - devices which can sense the absolute zero of magnetic field - and a feed back system with thin wire coils for active canceling. It is expected to achieve a factor of 100 improvement in the performance of such a magnetic environment in comparison with the existing passive magnetic shielding. When developed the active magnetic shielding system will become an integral part of the cryogenic package of all HYPRES digital-RF systems for DoD and commercial applications. Benefits: Existing methods of shielding of superconductor electronics are based on multiple mu-metal shields which add substantially to the system weight, volume, and cooldown time. At the same time they do not provide the needed protection against residual magnetic field and low frequency magnetic interference for large integrated circuits and multi chip modules (MCMs). The proposed active magnetic shielding will dramatically enhance the fidelity of superconductor electronics systems by providing a much better magnetic environment for complex integrated circuits and MCMs whereas reducing the system weight and cooldown time. Return