Central Research Project Report on Superconductivity (1988). Part 1. Materials and IR Detectors

Abstract : 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.