PERSPECTIVES OF THE CRYO-ELECTRONICS FOR THE YEAR 2000

This paper presents a review of the evolution of the cryo-electronics since the 50's up to date. With this review we make a prediction of ap plicability for RF-electronics, nanoelectronics, and giga-scaled elect ronics, in a perspective for the years 2000 to come. This study is bas ed on a survey of scientific papers/reports published since the years 1950's up to date in the field of semiconductor materials, devices and electronic systems for cryo-applications. With the very recent advent of nanotechnologies, multiple-level-wiring interconnections, hybrid s uperconductor-semiconductor systems, the rapid evolution of mini- and micro-coolers, and the appearance of physical limitations for further downscaling, it is worth to explore the option of cryo-operation of el ectronic devices/systems, and identify possible limitations, possible applications, and establish future guidelines.