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Updated: May 15, 2026
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Fabrication and Characterization of Superconducting Resonators
Published on: May 21, 2016
Calorimeters for precision power dissipation measurements on controlled-temperature superconducting radiofrequency
B P Xiao1, C E Reece, H L Phillips
1Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, Newport News, Virginia 23606, USA.
The Review of Scientific Instruments
|January 3, 2013
Summary
Two new calorimeters precisely measure radiofrequency (RF) power in superconducting materials. These systems achieve high accuracy for characterizing RF surface impedance in various superconducting samples.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Physics
Background:
- Superconducting Radiofrequency (SRF) materials are crucial for particle accelerators.
- Accurate characterization of SRF material properties, like surface impedance, requires precise measurement of RF power dissipation.
- Existing methods may lack the precision or power handling capability for comprehensive SRF material analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and commission two calorimeters for precise low-temperature control and measurement of RF power.
- To enable accurate surface impedance characterization of superconducting samples at Jefferson Lab.
- To cover the full thermal range of interest for SRF materials.
Main Methods:
- Developed two calorimeter versions: high precision (stainless steel) and high power (Cu).
- Implemented a power compensation method to measure RF-induced power on disk samples.
- Utilized simulations and experimental results for validation and analysis.
Main Results:
- Both calorimeters successfully cover the required thermal range for SRF materials.
- Achieved power measurement errors within 1.2% (high precision) and 2.7% (high power).
- Simulated temperature distributions and analyzed measurement accuracy for various substrate materials.
Conclusions:
- The designed calorimeters provide accurate and reliable RF power measurement for SRF material characterization.
- These systems are versatile, accommodating both bulk and thin-film superconducting samples on diverse substrates.
- The calorimeters enhance the capability for studying and developing advanced superconducting radiofrequency technologies.
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