The ARPA high temperature superconductivity program

This paper presents an overview of the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) program on high temperature superconductivity (HTS). This multidisciplinary effort has, since 1987, spent about $220,000,000 on promoting the science and technology of these materials. Support of many aspects of R and D has been provided to universities, national laboratories and an emerging industrial base. The current program is focused on several promising applications: (1) the development of RF and microwave passive components and subsystems for radar, EW, wireless communications and medical instrumentation; (2) developing digital applications of cryogenic technology both utilizing superconductors as well as semiconductors; (3) contributing to the development of a conductor for power applications, and (4) developing a variety of low-cost reliable cryocoolers that will be the enabler for many aforementioned applications.<>