Nizhny Novgorod researchers have patented a superconducting detector

      14 November 2025 16:25 Science

      A team of researchers led by FSUE "RFNC-VNIIEF" with the participation of scientists from Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University named after R.E. Alekseev has patented a unique superconducting detector capable of registering energies tens of times smaller than existing counterparts. The university’s press service reported this.

      At the heart of the device is a superconducting transition using hafnium and palladium. This combination made it possible to achieve a record-low critical temperature and an ultranarrow transition width — less than 5% of the critical temperature. Such parameters provide exceptional sensitivity when operating at ultralow temperatures.

      One of the developers, Andrey Pankratov, noted that the technology opens new horizons for precise measurements in the realm of ultralow energies.

      "We applied a fundamentally new approach — the use of hafnium as the sensitive element. This makes the device not only more accessible but also economically advantageous compared to counterparts based on tungsten and iridium," he said.

      The development may find application in highly sensitive microcalorimeters, quantum computing, and fundamental physics research. The high predictability and stability of its characteristics make the new detector a promising solution for scientific and applied tasks.

      Earlier it was reported that, based on the results for 2024, the Nizhny Novgorod region entered the top five leaders of the Volga Federal District in the number of patent applications. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has a Telegram channel. Subscribe to stay informed about major events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain 18+ materials.