Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!ukma!rutgers!att!twitch!rvk
From: rvk@twitch.UUCP ( Bob Kline)
Newsgroups: comp.arch
Subject: Josephson Junction processors
Keywords: Josephson Junction microprocessors
Message-ID: <1196@twitch.UUCP>
Date: 15 Mar 89 22:44:13 GMT
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel, NJ
Lines: 24

the processor mentioned built of Josephson Junction devices
is claimed to run at something like 250 MIPs.


yes, perseverence seems to be the Japanese winning strategy
all right.  people in the U.S. once had a reputation for
this also.  about the time IBM got out of JJ research, one
investigator was able to take some of the technology and 
start a small company - Hypress I believe.  the first offering
was a 70 GHz sampling scope.  I'm told the company has recently
introduced a 28 GHz broadband scope for rf work, and is eyeing
computers.

the approach initially used (maybe still used) to cool the
chips to necessary temperatures was to simply drip liqued
(i.e., liquid) helium on one corner.  strightforward, and it
works.

perhaps a longer term worry is that the Japanese devices have
tens of thousands of devices on them, so larger systems can
apparently be built and adequately cooled.  what breakthroughs and
techniques were uncovered that IBM missed I don't know, but it
is believable that the Japanese now possess a viable technology
that our biggest and best couldn't see through.