Granular superconductors are known to operate as fast, sensitive, low- noise radiation detectors in the infrared, submillimeter and visible regions, probably through Josephson-like coupling among the superconducting grains. The new family of high temperature (Tc>90K) copper oxide superconductors including Y1Ba2Cu307 and Gd1Ba2Cu307 evince granular behavior and may show similar or enhanced detector performance, with the enormous added advantage of operation at and above 77K. This proposal outlines an approach to materials and devices to rapidly evaluate the feasibility of this application, especially in the middle infrared spectral region. It represents exploration of new technology emerging from a major breakthrough in materials science, and a step toward ensuring American competitiveness in this area.
