Superconducting scanning sensor for nanometer scale temperature imaging
Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000
United States of America Patent
Stats
-
Nov 19, 2019
Grant Date -
Feb 15, 2018
app pub date -
Mar 10, 2016
filing date -
Mar 11, 2015
priority date (Note) -
In Force
status (Latency Note)
Importance
Abstract
A device and methods for use thereof in low-temperature thermal scanning microscopy, providing non-contact, non-invasive localized temperature and thermal conductivity measurements in nanometer scale ranges with a temperature resolution in the micro-Kelvin order. A superconductive cap mounted on the tip of an elongated support probe is electrically-connected to superconductive leads for carrying electrical current through the cap. The critical superconducting current of the leads is configured to be greater than the critical current supported by the cap, and the cap's critical current is configured to be a function of its temperature. Thus, the temperature of the cap is measured by measuring its critical superconducting current. In a related embodiment, driving a current greater than the critical current of the cap quenches the cap's superconductivity, and permits the cap to dissipate resistive heat into the sample being scanned. Scanning of the sample in this mode thus images its thermal conductivity patterns.
First Claim
Other Claims data not available
Family
International Classification(s)
- 2016 Application Filing Year
- G01K Class
- 805 Applications Filed
- 597 Patents Issued To-Date
- 74.17 % Issued To-Date
Cited Art Landscape
Patent Citation Ranking
- 1 Citation Count
- G01K Class
- 29.23 % this patent is cited more than
- 6 Age
Maintenance Fees
| Fee | Large entity fee | small entity fee | micro entity fee | due date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.5 Year Payment | $3600.00 | $1800.00 | $900.00 | May 19, 2027 |
| 11.5 Year Payment | $7400.00 | $3700.00 | $1850.00 | May 19, 2031 |
