an electrical switching topology for a hybrid switch provides extremely low losses in both cryogenic and non - cryogenic electronic systems . in this switch having switch modules connected in parallel , switching losses in a first module are separated from conduction losses in the parallel - connected second module . the conduction losses are then further reduced by cryogenically cooling the second module . since the switching losses of the first module can be absorbed outside a cryogenic container , the switching losses do not add to the cryogenic heat load . in other applications , the switching module operates at lower temperatures to provide higher switching speeds and reduces switching heat generation .