Invited Communication Perspectives of the cryo-electronics for the year 2000

Abstract. 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 applicability for RF-electronics, nanoelectronics, and giga-scaled electronics, in a perspective for the years 2000 to come. This study is based 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 superconductor-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 electronic devices/systems, and identify possible limitations, possible applications, and establish future guidelines. 1