Magnetic Field Measurement Near a Superconducting Film Using a 2-Dimensional Field-Dependence of Josephson Current Through a Nb Tunnel Junctions Sensor

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2-D) magnetic field dependences of Niobium/niobium tunnel junction current Ic were first used in order to measure the magnetic field near the superconducting film. The 2-D magnetic field dependences of superconducting Josephson current Ic through the niobium/niobium tunnel junction can be changed by the external magnetic field. So, we measured the magnetic field using this superconducting tunnel junction fabricated by DC-magnetron apparatus as a magnetic sensor. The 2-D magnetic field dependences of Ic through the junction without and with the Nb thin-film sample were compared. With the Nb thin-film sample, extension of the characteristics in the perpendicular direction Hz to the sample was observed because of the Meissner effect of the superconducting thin-film sample. Moreover, the magnetic field Hz perpendicular to the Nb thin-film sample has been added in the triangle shape as a following sequence: (0)-(1000)-(0)-(2000)-(0)-(3000)-(0)-(4000)-(0)-(5000 A/m)-(0). Significant changes in the measured Ic-H (Hy,Hz) characteristics were observed above the certain value of Hz > 3000 A/m. We consider the shift of the measured Ic-H dependence in the Hz minus direction occurred because of the flux quanta were trapped in the sample superconducting niobium film after the Hz value had been added greater than 3000 A/m.