Abstract
We prepared planar, galvanically coupled gradiometers whereby the antenna structures of some of them were modified by incorporating Au nanoparticles. Gradiometers with gold modified antennas were compared with conventional ones to investigate the influence of gold induced pinning on the performance of superconducting sensor devices. We found that a local inclusion of gold nanoparticles offers the possibility of increasing the pinning of flux lines in the antenna regions, thus significantly reducing flux noise, especially in the low-frequency range. Since also the properties of grain boundary Josephson Junctions are strongly affected by Au particles, SQUID and antenna regions in gradiometric sensor devices can be separately optimized.
Highlights
Many superconducting thin film devices require a spatially resolved current carrying capability due to different boundary conditions
As we confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM – see figure 2), some of the particles are overgrown by the YBCO matrix but some of them can be found on top of the YBCO layer or within the superconducting layer itself
As can be seen in figure 3, the critical current density jc was significantly increased over the whole temperature range in the Au modified areas
Summary
Many superconducting thin film devices require a spatially resolved current carrying capability due to different boundary conditions. 3. Results In contrast to what was reported by Mikheenko et al [1] the nanoparticles cannot only be found at the substrate/YBCO thin film interface. In contrast to transport measurements the local critical current density could be calculated out of the obtained flux density distribution via an inversion of the Biot-Savart law [3].
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