The potential of high temperature superconductors as radiation detectors

In a radiation detector, the absorption of radiation produces a detectable change in a property of the detector. A bolometer has a resistance which depends on temperature. The absorption of radiation heats the bolometer, causing its temperature to rise and changing its resistance. A direct detector or mixer has a resistance which depends on current. The absorption of radiation induces a current in the mixer and changes its resistance. Both bolometer and mixer action have been observed in superconducting films. We expect both to be observed with high temperature superconductors. The following sections of this article discuss the operation of bolometers and direct detectors and the impact of high temperature superconductivity on their performance