DEVELOPMENT OF RADIATION-HARD PARTICLE DETECTORS USING JOSEPHSON TUNNEL-JUNCTIONS

Josephson tunnel junctions, due to their ultra-fast switching between different voltage states, are in principle capable of very fast positi on detection. This feature, together with the high radiation hardness of the constituting materials and the possibility of direct interfacin g to ultra-fast superconductive logic families, makes Josephson tunnel junctions interesting candidates for new ultra-fast pixel detectors t o be used at future colliders. Possible explanation of the detection m echanism in terms of an energy balance model is proposed, together wit h the identification of crucial parameters for detection sensitivity. A new approach for realising a detector integrated with read-out elect ronics is presented. Radiation hardness for both detector and electron ics is discussed. High sensitivity to magnetic field is also addressed .