Thermal and nonequilibrium responses of superconductors for radiation detectors

This work summarizes the progress in the study of the superconductor response to optical radiation and in the development of infrared detectors. The recent advances in the design of high-T_c superconducting radiation detectors using silicon microfabrication technology are emphasized. Thermal and optical properties important for the detector performance are discussed. The mechanism of the nonequilibrium optical response and its potential use to build fast and sensitive radiation detectors are described. Future challenges and opportunities in the development of high-T_c superconducting radiation detectors are highlighted.