High Tc superconducting switch

We report the results of an experimental and modeling investigation of a high-temperature superconducting opening switch using optical and current switching. The switch was fabricated using a thin film of YBaCuO on a SrTiO3 substrate. A Nd:YAG pulsed laser, operating at the fundamental frequency, and the signal current was used as a triggered source. The results of optical switching indicates that the switching is due to the heating of the superconductor by the laser from its superconducting to the normal state. Switching using current pulses shows a thermal hysterisis effect. The dependence of the switching characteristics (rise time and delay) on the bias (temperature and current) and trigger intensity is discussed. Also, the results of a model based on heat equations is presented