THE ARPA HIGH-TEMPERATURE SUPERCONDUCTIVITY PROGRAM

This paper presents an overview of the Advanced Research Projects Agen cy (ARPA) program on high temperature superconductivity (HTS). This mu ltidisciplinary effort has, since 1987, spent about $220,000,000 on pr omoting the science and technology of these materials. Support of many aspects of R and D has been provided to universities, national labora tories and an emerging industrial base. The current program is focused on several promising applications: 1) the development of RF and micro wave passive components and subsystems for radar, EW, wireless communi cations and medical instrumentation; 2) developing digital application s of cryogenic technology both utilizing superconductors as well as se miconductors; 3) contributing to the development,of a conductor for po wer applications, and 4) developing a variety of low-cost reliable cry ocoolers that will be the enabler for many aforementioned applications .