Plasma Instabilities in Superconducting Layers

提出了一种用薄绝缘层将超导层与铌超导层分离的镱钴超导层组成的器件中理论预测等离子体波不稳定性的实验研究。理论研究表明，当平行超导层之间的相对漂移速度较大时，可能存在放大的等离子体模式，并通过电磁辐射损失能量。这种效应类似于双组分无碰撞等离子体的“双束等离子体不稳定性”。本研究将通过a)研究两层之间存在相对漂移速度时的电流-电压特性，b)在低温下使用测热仪检测发射的辐射来寻找这种效应。该效应在近单色长波电磁辐射发生器的设计中具有长期的实际应用价值。

An experimental search for theoretically predicted plasma wave instabilities in devices consisting of a superconducting layer of YBCO separated from a superconducting layer of niobium by a thin insulating layer is proposed. Theoretical work has shown that when the relative drift velocity between the parallel superconducting layers is large, an amplified plasma mode may exist, and can lose energy by electromagnetic radiation. This effect is similar to the 'two-beam plasma instability' for two- component collisionless plasmas. The research is to search for this effect by a) studying the current-voltage characteristics when a relative drift velocity exists between the two layers, and b) using bolometric detectors at low temperatures to detect the emitted radiation. The effect may have a long-term practical application in the design of generators of nearly monochromatic long-wavelength electromagnetic radiation.