Patent ID: 6617987
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: H03M

Abstract:
A system for acquiring information on a size of a voltage signal, comprising:N superconducting transmission lines, each line having a beginning point, the N superconducting transmission lines arranged adjacently and substantially in parallel with each other, the configuration having two characteristic directions, a y direction, along the direction of the lines, and an x direction, directed across the lines; a matrix of Josephson Junctions (JJs), wherein the JJs are embedded in the superconducting transmission hues, wherein the JJs are in series at known distances from the beginning point of each line, the matrix formed by 2Nâˆ’1 of the JJs on each one of the N superconducting transmission lines, wherein the JJs are so placed as to yield N digit binary numbers in the x direction, and furthermore that the N digit binary numbers fall in numerical order in the y direction; an electron beam, the electron beam impinging on the superconducting transmission lines, the electron beam being receptive to displacement along the direction of the superconducting transmission lines in proportion to the size of the voltage signal, and wherein the electron beam generates a voltage step on the superconducting transmission line on condition of hitting any one of the one or more JJs; and a scanning voltage deflecting the electron beam in the x direction, wherein the electron beam periodically impinges on each one of the N superconducting transmission lines.