INTERACTION OF ALPHA-PARTICLES WITH SUPERCONDUCTIVE NB/ALOX/NB STRUCTURES IN SINGLE JUNCTION AND ARRAY CONFIGURATIONS

The behavior of high-quality full refractory Nb tunnel junctions under alpha-particle irradiation is discussed. Single junction and arrays consisting of 10 and 100 series connected junctions are investigated. The samples sere irradiated by alpha-particles from Am-241. The role of phonons generated by the alpha-particles in the substrate Is also considered. Preliminary results are obtained concerning both charge collection and rise time spectra.