Magnesium Diboride DC and Data Cables for Digital-RF Systems Navy SBIR FY2014.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2014.1 Topic No.: N141-064 Topic Title: Magnesium Diboride DC and Data Cables for Digital-RF Systems Proposal No.: N141-064-1010 Firm: HYPRES. Inc. 175 Clearbrook Road Elmsford, New York Contact: Vladimir Dotsenko Phone: (914) 592-1190 Web Site: www.hypres.com Abstract: Successful cryopackaging of superconductor Digital-RF Receivers relies on efficient electrical wiring of superconductor chips attached to the cryocooler. High-quality DC and RF cables are currently made of normal metals and are optimized for specific current and frequency ranges respectively. This current design, a result of a decade-long evolution, is well optimized to minimize heat load to the cryocooler and further improvement is impossible with normal metals. Superconductors possess unique properties that offer opportunities to drastically reduce both heat conduction and Joule heating. HYPRES proposes to build capabilities to produce superconductor MgB2 cables that will decrease the heat load on the 4-K stage 10 - 40 times. In Phase I, we will design and produce short one- and two-layer samples for measurement of electrical and thermal properties. We will design dc and data link cables, with proper connectorization, suitable for our Digital-RF receiver product. Full manufacturing of these cables will be performed during Phase II and used to enhance the functionality of our existing and future Digital-RF units. Benefits: Successful development of superconductor cable technology will be beneficial for different sectors of cryogenic technology. In case of our Digital-RF systems having superconductor cables facilitates substantial reduction in heat load on cryocoolers. This advantage could be used two ways. Firstly more complex systems with substantially greater capabilities can be built on currently available cryocoolers, and secondly current systems can be built on low power compact cryocoolers which will allow for portable systems carried by vehicles or aircrafts. The primary application area is military RF systems, for terrestrial and satellite communications, electronic warfare, signals intelligence, and radar surveillance, where superior dynamic range, bandwidth and sensitivity of superconductor digital-RF receivers can produce the maximum impact. Commercial communications and imaging systems will also benefit from the same technology. Return