THERMAL AND NONEQUILIBRIUM RESPONSES OF SUPERCONDUCTORS FOR RADIATIONDETECTORS

This work summarizes the progress in the study of the superconductor r esponse to optical radiation and in the development of infrared detect ors. The recent advances in the design of high-T-c superconducting rad iation detectors using silicon microfabrication technology are emphasi zed. Thermal and optical properties important for the detector perform ance are discussed. The mechanism of the nonequilibrium optical respon se and its potential use to build fast and sensitive radiation detecto rs are described. Future challenges and opportunities in the developme nt of high-T-c superconducting radiation detectors are highlighted.