Patent Publication Number: US-2021176890-A1

Title: Support structure for a flexible interconnect of a superocnductor

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to superconducting. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a support structure for flexible interconnect of a superconducting system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Superconductivity is the set of physical properties observed in certain materials, wherein electrical resistance no longer exists and from which magnetic flux fields are expelled. Any material exhibiting these properties is a superconductor. Unlike an ordinary metallic conductor, whose resistance decreases gradually as its temperature is lowered even down to near absolute zero, a superconductor has a characteristic critical temperature below which the resistance drops abruptly to zero. An electric current through a loop of superconducting wire can persist indefinitely with no power source. 
     It was discovered that some cuprate-perovskite ceramic materials have a critical temperature above 90 K (−183° C.). Such a high transition temperature is theoretically impossible for a conventional superconductor, leading the materials to be termed high-temperature superconductors. Readily available coolant liquid nitrogen boils at 77 K, and thus the existence of superconductivity at higher temperatures than this facilitates many experiments and applications that are less practical at lower temperatures. 
     Densely-integrated cryogenic electronic systems employ electrical interconnect technology. In particular, superconducting cables with multiple signals, high signal density, low loss, low thermal leakage and small cross-sections are needed to operate as interconnects. The superconducting characteristics of thin-film niobium (Nb) make thin film Nb a viable material for realizing low-temperature (4 K or below) superconducting cables, such as high density DC cables and RF cables including microstrip and stripline. Thin-film flexible superconducting ribbon cables incorporating polymer dielectrics are particularly useful for making multiple interconnections between different substrates and/or different temperature zones. 
     SUMMARY 
     One example relates to a support structure for a superconducting system that can include a support member that is formed of thermally conductive material. The support member can include a plurality of parallel slots. Each slot extends from a first surface of a base of the support member to a second surface of the base, wherein the first and second surfaces of the base are positioned on parallel planes. Each slot can be shaped to allow relative movement of a fastener that allows a respective connector assembly to be affixed to the support member. The respective connector assembly can provide mechanical support for the flexible interconnect of the superconducting system and establish a heat path between the flexible interconnect and the support member. The support member can further include a wall extending transverse from the first surface of the base, the wall can include a plurality of through-holes. 
     Another example relates to a support structure for a superconducting system. The support structure can include a support member that is formed of thermally conductive material. The support member can include a plurality of parallel slots, wherein each slot extends from a first surface of a base of the support member to a second surface of the base, wherein the first and second surfaces are positioned on parallel planes. The support member can also include a wall extending transverse from the first surface of the base, the wall comprising a plurality of through-holes. The support member can further include a plurality of connector support rods. Each of the plurality of connector support rods can be affixed to the base of the support member via a respective slot. The support structure can still further include a plurality of connectors, wherein each connector is affixed to a respective connector support rod and each connector provides mechanical support for a flexible interconnect between at least two superconducting circuits mounted on respective blades of a superconducting system. 
     Yet another example relates to a system that can include a first superconducting system. The first superconducting system can include a plurality of blades and a plurality of superconducting circuits. Each superconducting circuit can be mounted on a respective blade of the first superconducting system, and each of the plurality of superconducting circuits in the first superconducting system includes low temperature superconducting materials. The system can also include a second superconducting system, the second superconducting system can include a plurality of blades and a plurality of superconducting circuits. Each superconducting circuit in the second superconducting system is mounted on a respective blade of the second superconducting system, and each of the plurality of superconducting circuits in the second superconducting system includes high temperature superconducting materials. The system further includes a support structure. The support structure includes a support member that can be formed of thermally conductive material. The support member includes a plurality of parallel slots, wherein each slot extends from a first surface of a base of the support member to a second surface of the base, wherein the first and second surfaces are positioned on parallel planes. The support member also includes a wall extending transverse from the first surface of the base. The wall can include a plurality of through-holes extending from a first surface of the wall to a second surface of the wall. The support member further includes a plurality of connector assemblies. Each connector assembly can include a connector support rod that is affixed to the base of the support structure via a respective slot and a connector affixed to the respective connector support rod and the connector provides mechanical support for a flexible interconnect between at least two superconducting circuits mounted on respective blades of the first superconducting system. The support structure can still further include an extender arm that can have a base that extends in a direction parallel to a surface of the wall of the support member. The extender arm can also have a column extending in a direction transverse to the base. A plurality of alignment connectors can be affixed to the column of the extender arm. Each alignment connector mechanically couples a given blade of the first superconducting system to a corresponding blade of the second superconducting system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a support structure for a superconducting system. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example of a support member for a support structure of a superconducting system. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates am example of a support member for a support structure of a superconducting system with a printed circuit board (PCB) affixed to the support member. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example of a PCB that can be affixed to a support member for a support structure of a superconducting system. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an example of a connector support rod for a support structure of a superconducting system. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an example of a connector assembly for a support structure of a superconducting system. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates another example of a connector assembly for a support structure of a superconducting system. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an example of a support structure that includes connector assemblies that establish a heat path between flexible interconnects and a support member. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of an example of a support structure for a first superconducting system that communicates with a second superconducting system. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an overhead view of a support structure for a first superconducting system that communicates with a second superconducting system. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an example of a support structure with an extender arm. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The examples described herein are related to a system that includes a first superconducting system with a first plurality of blades housed in a chassis. Each of the first plurality of blades has a superconducting circuit mounted thereon and each of the plurality of superconducting circuits in the first superconducting system includes materials that superconduct at temperatures of 4 K (Kelvin) or less (e.g., low temperature superconducting materials). The system can also include a second superconducting system that has a second plurality of blades, and each of the second plurality of blades has a superconducting circuit mounted thereon, and each of the plurality of superconducting circuits in the second superconducting system includes materials that superconduct at temperatures of 77 K or less (e.g., high temperature superconducting materials). 
     The system also includes a support structure that can have a support member that can be formed of thermally conductive material. The support member can include a plurality of parallel slots, wherein each slot extends from a first surface of a base of the support member to a second surface of the base (e.g., through-holes). The support member can also include a wall extending transverse from the first surface of the base. The wall can include a plurality of through-holes that are employable to fasten the support member to a substrate. 
     The support member can further include a plurality of connector assemblies, wherein each connector assembly can have a connector support rod that is affixed to the base of the support via a respective slot on the support member. Each connector assembly can include a connector affixed to an end of a respective connector support rod, wherein the connector can provides mechanical support for a flexible interconnect between at least two superconducting circuits mounted on respective blades of the first superconducting system. Further, each connector assembly establishes a heat path between a flexible interconnect and the support member to dissipate heat when operating in a cryogenic environment. 
     Further, in some examples, the support structure can include an extender arm that is removably attached to the support member. The extender arm can include a base that extends in a direction parallel to a surface of the wall of the support member and a column extending a direction transverse to the base. The support structure can have a plurality of alignment connectors affixed to the column of the extender arm. Each alignment connector can mechanically couple a corresponding blade of the first superconducting system to a corresponding blade of the second superconducting system. In this manner, the support structure (including the extender arm) can be moved on one axis (e.g., a horizontal axis), and this movement causes corresponding movement in the first plurality of blades of the first superconducting system and the second plurality of blades in the second superconducting system that are affixed to the column via an alignment connector, which prevents breakage of interconnecting components. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a support structure  50  for a superconducting system  52 . The superconducting system  52  can operate in a cryogenic environment, such as a region of the cryogenic environment with a temperature of about 4 Kelvin (K) or less. The superconducting system  52  can include a chassis  54  that houses M of blades  56 , where M is an integer greater than or equal to two (2) that are slidable in grooves  57  of the chassis  54 , wherein only two (2) of such grooves  57  are labeled. Each of the M number of blades  56  can operate as a heat spreader for a corresponding superconducting circuit  58  (some of which are hidden from view). In some examples, each superconducting circuit  58 , or some subset thereof, can be implemented as a multi-chip module (MCM). The chassis  54  can be affixed to a thermally conductive substrate  60  (e.g., a plank of conductive material). 
     Each superconducting circuit  58  can include materials that superconduct at 4 K or less (e.g., low temperature superconducting materials). Each superconducting circuit  58  on a given blade  56  can communicate with another superconducting circuit  58  or multiple superconducting circuits  58  via a flexible interconnect  62 . Stated differently, each flexible interconnect  62  provides a superconducting communication path between two superconducting circuits  58 . Each flexible interconnect  62  can be formed of a superconducting polymide such as poly-oxydiphenylene-pyromellitimide. 
     To avoid inadvertent damage the flexible interconnects  62  should be handled with care at both room temperature (e.g., temperature greater than 273 K) and superconducting temperatures (e.g., 4 K and below). Additionally, as the superconducting system  52  transitions from room temperature (e.g., greater than 273 K) to superconducting temperatures (e.g., 4 K or below) different components of the superconducting system  52  have different coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs). Thus, during transitions from room temperature to cryogenic temperature (e.g., 77 K and below), the flexible interconnects  62  are prone to breakage due to relative movement (e.g., due to different CTEs) between components to the superconducting system  52 . Additionally, the problems of the different CTEs between components of the superconducting system  52  are amplified as the temperature decreases toward the cryogenic temperature. 
     Each flexible interconnect  62  (or some subset thereof) can be clamped by a connector  70  of the support structure  50 . Each connector  70  aligns and connects traces on the corresponding flexible interconnect  62 . The support structure  50  can include K number of connectors  70 , where K is an integer greater than or equal to one (1). The connector  70  is affixed (e.g., mounted) on a connector support rod  72  of the support structure  50 . The connector  70  and the connector support rod  72  can be formed of thermally conductive material, such as aluminum  6061 . The connector support rod  72  can be affixed to a support member  76  (which may be referred to as a pegboard) of the support structure  50  via a slot  78  on the support member  76 . A printed circuit board (PCB)  80  can be affixed on the support member  76 . The support rod  70  and the support member  76  provide both thermal and structural support to each connector  70  and each flexible interconnect  62 . 
       FIGS. 2-7  illustrate components and assemblies of the support structure  50  of  FIG. 1 . Moreover,  FIGS. 2-7  employ the same reference numbers to denote the same structure. Additionally, for purposes of simplification of explanation, not all reference numbers are introduced or included in the description of each of the  FIGS. 2-7 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an example of a support member  100  of a support structure (e.g., the support structure  50  of  FIG. 1 ) that is employable to implement the support member  76  of  FIG. 1 . The support member  100  can be referred to as a pegboard. The support member  100  can be formed of a conductive material, such as aluminum. More particularly, the support member  100  can be formed of aluminum  6061 . 
     The support member  100  can include a base  102  (e.g., a plate) that extends in a first plane. The base  102  can have a rectangular prism like shape. The base  102  can include a plurality of bosses  104  (e.g., protuberances) that extend in a direction normal to the surface of the base  102  of the support member  100 . Each boss  104  can have a round shape and a center hole. In some examples, the center hole can be threaded. The center hole of each boss  104  can receive a fastener (e.g., a screw, bolt or hold down) to enable a PCB (e.g., the PCB  80  of  FIG. 1 ) to be affixed to the support member  100 . That is, each boss  104  can be implemented as a receptacle for a fastener that is employable to secure the PCB to the support member  100 . In the example illustrated, there are nine (9) bosses  104 , but in other examples, there could be more or less bosses  104 . 
     The base  102  can also include a plurality of slots  106 . In the example illustrated, there are twelve (12) slots, but in other examples, there could be more or less slots  106 . The plurality of slots  106  can be arranged in parallel. Moreover, each slot  106  is an elongated through-hole (e.g., having an elliptical base shape) that extends from a first surface of the base  102  to a second surface of the base  102 . In fact, as used herein, the term “through-hole” denotes a hole that extends from a given surface of material to another surface of the material, wherein the other surface opposes the given surface. 
     As explained herein, the slots  106  are shaped receive fasteners that affix a connector support rod (e.g., the connector support rod  72  of  FIG. 1 ) to the support member  100 . Further, the slots  106  are elongated to allow relative movement of the connector support rod in one axis (e.g., a horizontal axis). 
     The base  102  can include a set of through-holes  108 . Although there are two (2) through-holes  108 , in other examples there can be more through-holes  108  or a single through-hole  108 . The through-holes  108  can be implemented as square holes with rounded corners to allow connectors from the PCB to pass through. 
     The support member  100  can also include a first wall  110  that extends transversely (e.g., at a 90 degree angle) from the base  102 . The first wall  110  includes through-holes  112  that can receive fasteners to allow the support member  100  to be affixed on a substrate (e.g., the thermally conductive substrate  60  of  FIG. 1 ). In the example illustrated, there are four (4) through-holes  112 , but in other examples there could be more or less such through-holes  112 . Further, the first wall  110  can include a notch  114  (e.g., a recessed portion) for hardware. 
     The support member  100  can further include a second wall  120  that extends transversely from the base  102 . Moreover, the second wall  120  can intersect the first wall  110  at a corner  122  of the support member  100 . In some examples, the corner  122  has a draft angle (or curve). In some examples, the second wall  120  has a triangular prism shape. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example of the support member  100 , wherein a PCB  150  is affixed to the base  102  of the support member  100  with fasteners  152  (only some of which are labeled). The fasteners  152  can be implemented as mechanical fasteners, such as bolts or screws. In the example illustrated, each fastener  152  is implemented as a hex head bolt. Additionally, each fastener  152  extends through a through-hole in the PCB  150  (hidden from view) and into a boss  104  (illustrated in  FIG. 2 ) of the support member  100 . 
     The PCB  150  can include a plurality of IC chips  156  mounted thereon. As some examples, the IC chips  156  can be implemented as temperature sensors, heaters or a combination thereof. Each of the IC chips  156 , or some subset thereof can be coupled to a connector.  FIG. 4  illustrates a view of the PCB  150  that is hidden from view in  FIG. 3  (e.g. a backside). As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the PCB  150  includes a first set of connectors  160  and a second set of connectors  162 . Each connector in the first set of connectors  160  and the second set of connectors  162  can protrude through one of the holes  108  in the base  102  of the support structure illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The connectors can be coupled to an external system via a cable (not shown). 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an example of a connector support rod  200  for the support structure  50  of  FIG. 1  that is employable to implement the connector support rod  72  of  FIG. 1 . The connector support rod  200 , as illustrated, includes four portions, a first portion  202 , a second portion  204 , a third portion  206  and a fourth portion  208 . 
     The first portion  202  includes a plurality of through-holes  220 . In the example illustrated, there are two (2) through-holes  220  in the first portion  202  of the connector support rod  200 . However, in other examples, there could be more or less through-holes  220 . The through-holes  220  enable fasteners (e.g., bolts or screws) to pass therethrough. Moreover, the connector support rod  200  is configured such that the first portion  202  extends parallel to the plane on the surface of the base  102  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In such a situation, the fasteners pass through the through-holes  220  and into one of the slots  106  of  FIG. 1 . Due to the size of the slots  106 , the connector support rod  200  can move on one axis (e.g., the horizontal axis) relative to the support member  100  of  FIG. 1  until the fasteners are tightened. 
     The second portion  204  extends in a direction transverse from the first portion  202 . Moreover, the third portion  206  extends in a direction transverse from the second portion  204  and in a direction that opposes the first portion  202 . The fourth portion  208  extends in a direction transverse from the third portion  206  and extends on a plane parallel to a plane of a surface of the second portion  204 . 
     The fourth portion  208  includes a plurality of through-holes  222 . In the example illustrated in  FIG. 5 , there are four (4) through-holes  222 , but in other examples there could be more or less through-holes  222 . The through-holes  222  enable a connector to be affixed to the fourth portion  208 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an example of the connector assembly  250 , wherein a connector  251  is affixed to the fourth portion  208  of the connector support rod  200  of  FIG. 5 . The connector  251  includes a first plate  252  and a second plate  254 . 
     The first plate  252  includes a first set of through-holes (hidden from view) that receives fasteners  256  that pass through the plurality of holes ( 222  if  FIG. 5 ) in the fourth portion  208  of the connector support rod  200 . Additionally, the first plate  252  includes a second set of holes with fasteners  256  passing therethrough and into through-holes hidden from view in the second plate  254 . In this manner, the second plate  254  of the connector  251  is affixed to the first plate  252  of the connector  251 . 
     A flexible interconnect  260  can be sandwiched between the first plate  252  and the second plate  254 . In this manner, the first plate  252  and the second plate  254  of the connector  251  clamps the flexible interconnect  260  to hold the flexible interconnect  260 . The flexible interconnect  260  can be representative of an instance of the flexible interconnect  62  of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an example of a connector assembly  300 , wherein a connector  301  is affixed to the fourth portion  208  of the connector support rod  200  of  FIG. 5 . The connector  301  includes a first plate  302 , a second plate  304 , a third plate  306  and a fourth plate  308 . The connector  301  can be implemented as two instances of the connector  251  of  FIG. 6 , wherein fasteners  320  affix the connector  301  to the connector support rod  200 . Moreover, the connector  301  can clamp two (2) flexible interconnects  260  that can be held to a position parallel to each other. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , in addition to mechanical support, by clamping each flexible interconnect  62  (or some subset thereof) to a respective connector  70 , a heat path is established between the flexible interconnect  62  and the support member  76  of the support structure  50 . More particularly, the flexible interconnect  62  is clamped by the connector  70 , which is affixed to a connector support rod  72  and wherein the connector support rod  72  is affixed to the support member  76 . Moreover, the flexible interconnect  62 , the connector  70 , the connector support rod  72  and the support member  76  of the support structure  50  are in thermal communication. Accordingly, because of the resultant heat path, heat built on the flexible interconnect  62  (due to communication between two superconducting circuits  62 ) can be dissipated at the support member  76 . 
     Further, as noted, by clamping each flexible interconnect  62  (or some subset thereof), the clamped flexible interconnects  62  are held relatively still, and thereby relieving tension (e.g., due to gravity) that would otherwise be applied to the connected superconducting circuits  58 , which could lead to component failure. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates another example of a support structure  400  for a superconducting system  402 . The superconducting system  402  can be implemented in the same manner as the superconducting system  52  of  FIG. 1 , wherein the chassis is omitted for visual clarity. 
     The support structure  400  includes a support member  406 . The support member  406  can be formed of thermally conductive material, such as aluminum (e.g., aluminum  6061 ). The support member  406  includes a plurality of slots  410  that are arranged in parallel, only one of which is labeled. The plurality of slots  410  can be implemented in a manner similar to the plurality of slots  78  illustrated in  FIG. 1  and/or the slots  106  of  FIG. 2 . Additionally, the support member  406  includes a plurality of bobbin holes  414  (e.g., through-holes) that seat electrical components, such as heaters and/or temperature sensors (not shown). 
     The superconducting system  402  and the support structure  400  can operate in a cryogenic environment, such as a region of the cryogenic environment with a temperature of about 4 K or less. The superconducting system  402  can include a chassis (omitted for clarity) that houses M of blades  420 . Each of the M number of blades  420  can operate as a heat spreader for a corresponding superconducting circuit  422 . In some examples, each superconducting circuit  58 , or some subset thereof, can be implemented as an MCM. 
     The superconducting circuits  422  can be connected through flexible interconnects  424 , which can be implemented as the flexible interconnects  62  of  FIG. 1 . Each flexible interconnect  424  is clamped by a corresponding connector assembly.  FIG. 8  illustrates three connector assemblies that are affixed to the support member  406  via a respective slot  410 . More particularly, the support structure  400  includes a first connector assembly  430 , a second connector assembly  432  and a third connector assembly  434 . The first connector assembly  430  and the third connector assembly can be implemented as the connector assembly  250  of  FIG. 6 . The second connector assembly  432  can be implemented as the connector assembly  300  of  FIG. 7 . 
     As illustrated, the support structure  400  provides mechanical support for each of the flexible interconnects  424 . Additionally, the first connector assembly  430 , the second connector assembly  432  and the third connector assembly  434  provide a heat path from each corresponding flexible interconnect  424  to the support member  406 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of an example of a support structure  500  for a first superconducting system  510  that is communicatively coupled to a second superconductive system  520 . The first superconducting system  510  can operate in a first cryogenic zone that is about 4 K or less and the second superconducting system  520  can operate in a second cryogenic zone that is about 77 K to about 75k. That is, the first superconducting system  510  operates at a lower temperature than the second superconducting system  520 . 
     The first superconducting system  510  can be similar to the superconducting system  52  of  FIG. 1  and/or the superconducting system  402  of  FIG. 8 . The second superconducting system  520  can include a chassis  522  with J number of blades  524  installed therein, where J is an integer greater than or equal to one. Each blade  524  can operate as a heat spreader for a superconducting circuit  526  (only one of which is labeled). Each superconducting circuit  526  can include an MCM implemented with high temperature superconducting (HTS) materials. Similarly, the first superconducting system  510  can include a chassis  528  that houses a plurality of blades  530  that each include a superconducting circuit  532  (e.g., an MCM), as described with respect to  FIG. 1 . 
     Further,  FIG. 10  illustrates an overhead view of the support structure  500  for the first superconducting system  510  that is communicatively coupled to the second superconductive system  520 .  FIGS. 10 and 11  employ the same reference numbers to denote the same structure. Additionally, in  FIG. 10 , a top portion of the chassis  528  of the first superconducting system  510  and the chassis  522  of the second superconducting system  510  has been removed for visual clarity. 
     The first superconducting system  510  and the second superconducting system  520  communicate can via communication channels  536  and  538 . In some examples, the communication channels  536  and  538  can be formed of wires and/or flexible interconnects (e.g., superconducting flexible interconnects). 
     The support structure  500  can include features of the support structure  50  of  FIG. 1  and/or the support structure  400  of  FIG. 8 . Thus, the support structure  500  includes a support member  540 . The support member  540  can be implemented with the support member  100  of  FIG. 2  and/or the support member  406  of  FIG. 8 . Additionally, connector assemblies  542  clamp and hold flexible interconnects  544  of the first superconducting system  510  in a manner described herein (e.g., as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 9 ). 
     Further, the support structure  500  can include an extender arm  550  that is removably connected to the support structure  500 . The extender arm  550  includes a base  551  that extends in a direction parallel to a surface of a wall  552  of the support member  540 . The extender arm  550  can include a column  554  that extends transversely from base  551  of the extender arm  550 . A plurality of alignment connectors  558  can be affixed to the column  554  (only one of which is visible in  FIG. 10 ). Each alignment connector  558  can include a first pin pair  560  and a second pin pair  562 . The first pin pair  560  are implemented as pins that protrude into a through-hole  564  and a through slot  566  (e.g., a through-hole with an elliptical base shape) included on a blade  530  of the first superconducting system  510 . Similarly, the second pin pair  562  are implemented as pins that protrude into a through-hole  568  and a through slot  570  (e.g., a through-hole with an elliptical base shape) included on a blade  524  of the second superconducting system  520 . Thus, each of the blades  530  (or some subset thereof) on the first superconducting system  510  are rigidly connected to a corresponding blade  524  on the second superconducting system  510 . Additionally, each of the blades  530  (or some subset thereof) on the first superconducting system  510  and each blade  524  of the second superconducting system  520  are rigidly connected to the column  554  of the support structure  500 . In this manner, during installation at room temperature (e.g., temperatures greater than 273 K), the support structure  500  can be moved in a direction indicated by the arrow  574  (e.g., in the horizontal direction). 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an example of a support structure  600  that is employable to implement the support structure  500  of  FIG. 10 . Moreover, for purposes of clarity, the first superconducting system  510  and the second superconducting system  520  are not shown. 
     The support structure  600  includes a support member  610 . The support member  610  illustrated in  FIG. 11  is implemented with the support member  406  of  FIG. 8 . However, in other examples, another support member, such as the support member  100  of  FIG. 2  is also employable as the support member  610 . The support member  610  includes a wall  612  that extends in a transverse direction from a base  614  of the support member  610 . 
     The wall  612  of the support member  610  includes a surface that extends on a first plane. Moreover, an extender arm  620  includes a base  622  that extends in the first plane, the same plane as the surface of the wall  612 . Additionally, a column  624  extends in a transverse direction from the first plane, and parallel to a surface of the base  614  of the support member  610 . The column  624  can be employed to implement the column  554  of  FIG. 11 . 
     The column  624  can include J number of through-holes  630 , where J is an integer greater than or equal to one. Each of the J number of through-holes  630  is shaped to receive a fastener (e.g., a bolt or screw) to affix an alignment connector  634  to the column  624 . Although  FIG. 11  illustrates J number of alignment connectors  634 , in some examples, there could be fewer alignment connectors  634 . Each alignment connector  634  can include a first pair of pins  636  and a second set of pins  638 , wherein  FIG. 11  only labels the pin pairs on one of the alignment connectors  634 . The first pair of pins  636  and the second set of pins  638  are employable to mechanically couple a blade of a first superconducting system and a blade of a second superconducting system, as illustrated in detail in  FIG. 10 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 10  moving the support structure in the direction  574  causes each of the blades  530  (or some subset thereof) of the first superconducting system  510  and each blade  524  (or some subset thereof) of the second superconducting system  520  to move in concert. Accordingly, the communication channels  536  and  538  between the first superconducting system  510  and the second superconducting system  520  are not moved relative to each other. That is, the communication channels  536  and  538  each move along with the corresponding blade  530  of the first superconducting system  510  and the corresponding blade  524  of the second superconducting system. Furthermore, moving in the direction  574  also causes the flexible interconnects  544  of the first superconducting system  510  to move in concert with each respective blade  530 . Thus, moving the support structure  500  (at room temperature) allows the blades  530  to be accessed while preventing relative movement between such blades  530  that might otherwise damage the flexible interconnects  544 . 
     After installation, the extender arm  550  including the column  554  can be removed to prevent undesired thermal transfer between the first superconducting system  510  and the second superconducting system  520 . Thus, the extender arm  550  facilitates access to certain components of the first superconducting system  510  and the second superconducting system  520  without disturbing delicate components of the first superconducting system  510  and the second superconducting system  520 . 
     What have been described above are examples. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies, but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many further combinations and permutations are possible. Accordingly, the disclosure is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of this application, including the appended claims. As used herein, the term “includes” means includes but not limited to, the term “including” means including but not limited to. The term “based on” means based at least in part on. Additionally, where the disclosure or claims recite “a,” “an,” “a first,” or “another” element, or the equivalent thereof, it should be interpreted to include one or more than one such element, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.