Low Temperature Electronics: Physics, Devices, Circuits, and Applications

Low Temperature Electronics: Physics, Devices, Circuits, and Applications summarizes the recent advances in cryoelectronics starting from the fundamentals in physics and semiconductor devices to electronic systems, hybrid superconductor-semiconductor technologies, photonic devices, cryocoolers and thermal management. Furthermore, this book provides an exploration of the currently available theory, research, and technologies related to cryoelectronics, including treatment of the solid state physical properties of the materials used in these systems.

Current applications are found in infrared systems, satellite communications and medical equipment. There are opportunities to expand in newer fields such as wireless and mobile communications, computers, and measurement and scientific equipment. Low temperature operations can offer certain advantages such as higher operational speeds, lower power dissipation, shorter signal transmission times, higher semiconductor and metal thermal conductivities, and improved digital and analog circuit performance.

The computer, telecommunication, and cellular phone market is pushing the semiconductor industry towards the development of very aggressive device and integrated circuit fabrication technologies. This is taking these technologies towards the physical miniaturization limit, where quantum effects and fabrication costs are becoming a technological and economical barrier for further development. In view of these limitations, operation of semiconductor devices and circuits at low temperature (cryogenic temperature) is studied in this book.



* It is a book intended for a wide audience: students, scientists, technology development engineers, private companies, universities, etc.
* It contains information which is for the first time available as an all-in-one source; Interdisciplinary material is arranged and made compatible in this book
* It is a must as reference source

Low-temperature electronics has been studied for more than five decades. However, recent advances in cryoelectronics have increased the scientific research in the field and brought new scientists and engineers into it. Despite the resurgence, Low Temperature Electronics: Physics, Devices, Circuits, and Applications is the first book in the field to provide broad, in-depth coverage including the recent advances in cryoelectronics, from the fundamentals of physics and semiconductor devices to electronic systems, hybrid superconductor/semiconductor technologies, photonic devices, cryocoolers, and thermal management. In addition, this book offers an exploration of the current theory, research, and technologies related to cryoelectronics, including treatment of the solid state physical properties of the materials used in these systems, such as cryocooling and thermal interfacing.

The book discusses a wide range of applications including circuits, digital systems, computers, and medical instrumentation. Contributors were encouraged to include extensive bibliographies, as much research will need to be done in the future before generally accepted models can be established. The editors, already long active in cryogenic electronics, have included this material with the intent that Low Temperature Electronics should be an essential resource for students and scientists working in the physics of semiconductor devices and materials, circuits, and systems, as well as for engineers developing new electronic systems for the industry.

Key Features
· Intended for a wide audience including students, scientists, technology development engineers, private companies, and universities
· Contains state-of-the-art information which is available for the first time as an all-in-one source
· Treatment of interdisciplinary material and an extensive bibliography make it an indispensable reference book