Hypres Demos Operation of High-Performance Circuits in Lockheed Martin Pulse-Tube Cryocooler

Hypres has successfully demonstrated the operation of its superconducting circuits in a modified Lockheed Martin (News - Alert) compact four-stage, pulse tube cryocooler operating at 4 degrees Kelvin.

 

Hypres, a developer of superconducting microelectronics technology and the Digital-RF product line, said that the laboratory prototype 4 Kelvin cryocooler was developed from a Lockheed Martin 6 Kelvin pulse tube design originally developed for space applications. The product underscores the feasibility of the pulse tube technology for use with high- speed digital superconductor circuitry.

 

Both Lockheed Martin and Hypres synchronized their efforts to create the field-ready prototype for applications such as military satellite communications, signals intelligence, RADAR, electronic warfare, and software defined radio.

 

Recent years have seen the rapid advancement of low temperature cryocooler technology and Richard Hitt, CEO at Hypres, believes they are well positioned to reap the benefits. This prototype demonstration clearly met Hypres’ performance objectives and proves their contention that the cryocooler industry can support their commercialization of digital superconductor products for the defense and mobile broadband markets.

 

Hypres demonstration also proved the effectiveness of their cryopackaging by operating its high performance digital chips in a small, modular package.

 

According to company sources, reliable, environmentally rugged cryocoolers and cryopackaging are essential to the Hypres Digital-RF product line. The packaging provides the cryogenic temperatures and the electrical and mechanical interface between the superconducting circuits and the rest of the communications system.

 

In contrast to traditional semiconductor technology, Digital-RF circuits can provide orders-of-magnitude improvements in operating efficiency, high speed data handling, power conservation, and equipment cost reduction. Hypres said they are currently developing Digital-RF products through a wide range of defense and commercial contracts.

 

Lockheed Martinhas made significant advancements related to cryocooler size and power reduction, while increasing lifespan, ruggedness and operational efficiency.

 

Ted Nast, a world renowned expert in cryocooler technology and fellow at Lockheed Martin, noted that Pulse (News - Alert) tube cryocoolers offer exciting opportunities for a variety of mission critical applications thanks in large part to the self-contained nature of the technology and its reduction of moving parts.

 

He added that the demonstration proved that a pulse tube cryocooler could support the temperatures needed for superconductor circuits, while still offering operational efficiency in a convenient package.