Superconducting electronic devices and their applications——how unique performance can be realized at extreme temperatures

Superconductivity is not only a fascinating topic in physics but also a very important source for many unique applications in electric and electronic engineering. Although extremely low temperatures (either liquid helium or liquid nitrogen temperatures) are indispensablefor for the proper operation of superconducting devices, much better performance in sensitivity, bandwidth, response speed, etc can be realized compared with what is possible using their room temperature counterparts. To mark the 100th anniversary of the discovery of superconductivity, this paper reviews the basic principles, major applications and future possibilities of superconducting electronic devices, focusing on those at liquid helium temperatures.