Microwave detection at metal–high-Tc superconducting ceramics point contact

Abstract

Experimental results of observed microwave detection at a point contact of metal–high-temperature superconducting YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x (YBCO) ceramics at room and liquid nitrogen temperatures are presented. The use of ceramics instead of a thin film allowed for a better heat removal from the point contact and reduction of output resistance down to 50 ohms. It is demonstrated that the observed detection is non-bolometric. The possibility to use YBCO ceramics-based detectors with properties comparable to those of semiconducting analogues is discussed.
Keywords: microwave, microwave detection, point contact
PACS: 78.70.Gq, 74.72.-h, 74.25.-q