Superconductor-semiconductor hybrid devices, circuits, and systems

The discovery of superconductors whose critical temperatures are above liquid nitrogen temperature has prompted considerable interest in hybrid superconducting-semiconducting electronics applications. The authors review the efforts to hybridize these technologies. Some of these efforts have already been demonstrated on a laboratory scale; others are at present just theoretical proposals. Hybridization is possible on the system, circuit, and device levels. The authors review studies of the applications of superconductors for interconnecting semiconductor systems and combining semiconductor and superconductor devices to enhance the performance of both digital and analog systems. Novel circuit combinations of superconducting and semiconducting devices are mentioned, as are proposals to combine these materials on the device level. It is noted that the use of hybrid combinations may permit some electronic functions to be performed better than either technology could perform separately.<>