Direct Current Superconducting Quantum Interference Research Articles

Ultra Small Angle X-Ray Scattering Characterization of Temperature-Sensitive Ferrogels Prepared Using Magnetic Nanoparticles

ABSTRACTTemperature-sensitive ferrogel prepared using Fe3O4 nanoparticles are characterized under varying temperature conditions. The nanoparticles were distributed in Nisopropylacrylamide (NIPAm) during their polymerization to form hydrogel. Particle distribution and agglomeration characteristics of the prepared ferrogels were investigated using ultra small angle x-ray scattering (USAXS) at various temperatures through the Lower Critical Solution Temperature (LCST). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to estimate the particle size distribution. The magnetic property was investigated using direct current superconducting quantum interference device (DC-SQUID) under hydrated conditions. The USAXS analysis showed an increase in the volume of particles without changing the agglomeration characteristics as the temperature is increased during the measurements. The ferrogel did not show any sedimentation or particle detachment from the gel under thermal cycling. Details of our results and analysis are presented.

Synthesis of Responsive Polymer Brushes on Magnetic Nanoparticles

ABSTRACTWe report a simple synthesis technique to attached poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) on magnetic nanoparticles. Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles were prepared using co-precipitation method. Nearly monodisperse nanoparticles were separated by terminating surface of Fe3O4 with dopamine followed by careful centrifugation and decantation. NHS/EDC coupling chemistry was employed to attached the carboxylic acid terminated poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) to amine end of dopamine on surface of the magnetic particles. Analysis of the polymer brush layers was conducted using UV-Vis spectroscopy, ATR−FTIR, and Transmission electron microscopy techniques. The magnetic property was investigated using direct current superconducting quantum interference device (DC-SQUID) method.

Effects of self-assembled gold nanoparticles on YBa2Cu3O7−δ thin films and devices

In our work we prepared YBa2Cu3O7−δ (YBCO) thin films with self-assembled gold nanoparticles on SrTiO3 (STO) substrates. We carried out different experiments to determine the effects on the crystallographic properties of the YBCO matrix as well as of the gold nanoparticles. Furthermore, we investigated how the particles influence the superconducting parameters of the film, e.g. the critical temperature TC and the critical current density jC. To ascertain jC we employed magneto-optical Faraday microscopy. In addition, the YBCO film was deposited and structured on STO bi-crystal substrates, thus producing grain boundary Josephson junctions. We studied those junctions with respect to the normal state resistance RN, and the dependence of the critical current IC on the temperature T as well as on the magnetic flux Φ. Finally, we prepared direct current superconducting quantum interference device (dc-SQUID) gradiometers and embedded gold nanoparticles at well-defined areas such as only the antenna or the SQUID region. We measured the flux noise in a shielded environment using an ac-bias reversal technique and compared it with that of sensors without gold nanoparticles. Thus, we demonstrate a new preparation method and an innovative application of gold nanoparticles.

Enhancement of high-TC superconducting thin film devices by nanoscale polishing

The effects of mechanical nanoscale polishing on the superconducting parameters of YBa2Cu3O7−δ (YBCO) thin films and bi-crystal grain boundary Josephson junctions have been investigated. We prepared samples with additional gold nanocrystallites in the YBCO film. As they are distributed throughout the whole YBCO film, they provide a low-resistance ohmic contact even if parts of the film are removed. Polishing was performed either before or after the patterning and did not change the properties of the grain boundary. However, nanopolishing reduces the film roughness in a significant way, which makes it an indispensable tool for the preparation of integrated superconducting circuits. We also succeeded in tuning the IC and RN of the Josephson junctions of direct current superconducting quantum interference devices (dc-SQUIDs) by systematically reducing the film thickness, which opens up new possibilities in the application of magnetic field sensors.

Characterization of Fe3O4 and Fe2O3 ferrogels prepared under uniform magnetic field

ABSTRACTWe compare the characteristics of ferrogels prepared with and without the presence of a uniform magnetic field using Fe3O4 and Fe2O3 nanoparticles immobilized in hydrogels of N-isopropylacrylamide. The spatial distribution and agglomeration of the nanoparticles within the ferrogels were investigated using ultra small angle x-ray scattering (USAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Hydrated ferrogels were also studied for magnetization using direct current superconducting quantum interference device (DC-SQUID). Volume size distribution resulting from USAXS data of the Fe3O4-ferrogel prepared under a uniform 225 G magnetic field showed a single broad peak appreciably different from that prepared without magnetic field with three distinct peaks. Volume size distributions resulting from USAXS data of the Fe2O3-ferrogel prepared with and without the presence of a uniform magnetic field both similarly show two peaks. Nanoparticle agglomeration was also determined by analyzing TEM images of ferrogel samples. DC-SQUID measurements of Fe3O4-ferrogel prepared in the presence of a uniform magnetic field showed 9% higher magnetization compared to the Fe3O4-ferrogel prepared without magnetic field. Similarly, DC-SQUID measurements of Fe2O3-ferrogel prepared in the presence of a uniform magnetic field showed 3% higher magnetization compared to the Fe2O3-ferrogel prepared without magnetic field. Thus, the presence of a uniform magnetic field during ferrogel polymerization can enabled the enhancement of the magnetoelastic property of the ferrogel.

Ultrasensitive magnetic field detection using a single artificial atom

Efficient detection of magnetic fields is central to many areas of research and technology. High-sensitivity detectors are commonly built using direct-current superconducting quantum interference devices or atomic systems. Here we use a single artificial atom to implement an ultrasensitive magnetometer with micron range size. The artificial atom, a superconducting two-level system, is operated similarly to atom and diamond nitrogen-vacancy centre-based magnetometers. The high sensitivity results from quantum coherence combined with strong coupling to magnetic field. We obtain a sensitivity of 3.3 pT Hz(-1/2) for a frequency at 10 MHz. We discuss feasible improvements to increase sensitivity by one order of magnitude. The intrinsic sensitivity of this detector at frequencies in the 100 kHz-10 MHz range compares favourably with direct-current superconducting quantum interference devices and atomic magnetometers of equivalent spatial resolution. This result illustrates the potential of artificial quantum systems for sensitive detection and related applications.

Superconducting quantum interference devices with submicron Nb/HfTi/Nb junctions for investigation of small magnetic particles

We investigated, at temperature 4.2 K, electric transport, flux noise, and resulting spin sensitivity of miniaturized Nb direct current superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) based on submicron Josephson junctions with HfTi barriers. The SQUIDs are either of the magnetometer-type or gradiometric in layout. In the white noise regime, for the best magnetometer we obtain a flux noise SΦ1/2=250nΦ0/Hz1/2, corresponding to a spin sensitivity Sμ1/2≥29μB/Hz1/2. For the gradiometer we find SΦ1/2=300nΦ0/Hz1/2 and Sμ1/2≥44μB/Hz1/2. The devices can still be optimized with respect to flux noise and coupling between a magnetic particle and the SQUID, leaving room for further improvement towards single spin resolution.

Nuclear quadrupole double resonance spectrometer with magnetic property measurement system direct current superconducting quantum interference device detector and automatic tuning

A new nuclear quadrupole double resonance spectrometer based on a commercial superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) setup (a Magnetic Property Measurement System (MPMS) from Quantum Design) is described. The experiment involves the indirect detection of pure quadrupole resonances (PQR) of a dilute spin system via the direct SQUID detected NMR of an abundant spin system. The experiment is conducted at low (3-20 K) temperatures and the magnetic field is cycled between a high (5.5 T) polarizing field, to an intermediate (0.1 T) detection field, to zero field where the sample is irradiated with a modulated search RF and back to the detection field. Loss of the NMR signal indicates the detection of a PQR. The RF circuit used for both the NMR and zero field irradiation is digitally controlled. Use of the External Device Control allows for the complete automation of the system. Test measurements on diphenyl ether are in good agreement with previously reported results. Pure (17)O quadrupole resonances were detected for spin systems with concentrations as low as 120 μM.

Hysteresis and intermittency in direct-current superconducting quantum interference device with nanobridges fabricated on a thin membrane

This study examined the voltage response of nanobridge-based direct-current superconducting quantum interference devices (dc-SQUIDs) fabricated on a Si3N4 membrane. Such a configuration may help in reducing 1/f noise, which possibly originates from substrate fluctuating defects. Results showed that the poor thermal coupling between the dc-SQUID and the substrate leads to a strong hysteretic response of the superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) even though it is biased by an alternating current. In addition, when the dc-SQUID is biased near a threshold of spontaneous oscillations, the measured voltage has an intermittent pattern, which depends on the applied magnetic flux threading the loop of the SQUID.

Noise performance of lumped element direct current superconducting quantum interference device amplifiers in the 4–8 GHz range

We report on the noise of a lumped element direct current superconducting quantum interference device amplifier. We show that the noise temperature in the 4–8 GHz range over ranges of tens of megahertz is below 1 K (three photons of added noise), characterize the overall behavior of the noise as a function of bias parameters, and discuss potential mechanisms which determine the noise performance in this amplifier. We show that this device can provide more than a factor of 10 improvement in practical system noise over existing phase-preserving microwave measurement systems in this frequency band.

Coherent operation of a gap-tunable flux qubit

We replace the Josephson junction defining a three-junction flux qubit’s properties with a tunable direct current superconducting quantum interference devices (dc-SQUIDs) in order to tune the qubit gap during the experiment. We observe different gaps as a function of the external magnetic pre-biasing field and the local magnetic field through the dc-SQUID controlled by high-bandwidth on chip control lines. The persistent current and gap behavior correspond to numerical simulation results. We set the sensitivity of the gap on the control lines during the sample design stage. With a tuning range of several gigahertz on a qubit dynamics timescale, we observe coherent system dynamics at the degeneracy point.

Two-mode squeezed state of nanomechanical resonators

In this paper, we introduce a flexible model for the control and measurement of NAMRs (nanomechanical resonators). We obtain the free Hamiltonian of the dc-SQUID (direct current superconducting quantum interference device) and the interaction Hamiltonian between these two NAMRs and the dc-SQUID by introducing the annihilation and creation operators under the rotating wave approximation. We can treat the mode of the dc-SQUID as a classical field. In the Heisenberg picture, the generation of two-mode squeezed states of two nanomechanical resonators is shown by their collective coordinate and momentum operators.

Analogue Hawking Radiation in a dc-SQUID Array Transmission Line

We propose the use of a superconducting transmission line formed from an array of direct-current superconducting quantum interference devices for investigating analogue Hawking radiation. Biasing the array with a space-time varying flux modifies the propagation velocity of the transmission line, leading to an effective metric with a horizon. Being a fundamentally quantum mechanical device, this setup allows for investigations of quantum effects such as backreaction and analogue space-time fluctuations on the Hawking process.

Tunable high transition temperature superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer with gate-voltage-controlled bicrystal junctions

A gate-voltage-controlled high transition temperature direct current superconducting quantum interference device (high-Tc dc SQUID) magnetometer was fabricated to study how the electric field effect affects the device’s voltage-flux and voltage-current characteristics. The magnetometer consists of a monolithic YBa2Cu3O7−δ superconducting film and bicrystal junctions covered by a polymethylmethacrylate film as the gate insulator. It was found that the magnetic flux modulated voltage swing of the SQUID magnetometer varies by 48% when the gate voltage is changed from −1.9 to 9.5 V. The variation in voltage swing is attributed to the change of effective capacitance in grain-boundary junctions.

Optimization of a Low-Tc DC SQUID Amplifier With Tightly Coupled Input Coils

We optimized the design and operation of a low-Tc direct current superconducting quantum interference device (dc SQUID) with an integrated coupling coil of 1.5 muH inductance taking into account typical effects observed for similar devices. Numerical simulations were performed on a model including the capacitance of the Josephson junctions, thermal noise of the integrated shunt- and damping- resistors as well as a complex frequency dependent impedance of the SQUID loop originating from the integrated coils. The experimentally and numerically determined characteristics and sensitivity are in good agreement. A minimum additional coupled energy resolution of 700 (h/2p) and 250 (h/2p) was measured at a temperature of 4.2 K and 1.5 K, respectively.

Signal performance of DC-SQUIDs with respect to YBCO thin film deposition rate

The signal performances of YBa 2Cu 3O 7− δ (YBCO) direct current superconducting quantum interference devices (DC-SQUIDs) have been investigated as a function of the thin film structure affected by the growth process. YBCO thin films of 200 nm thicknesses were deposited by DC magnetron sputtering using different deposition rates between 1.0 nm/min and 2.0 nm/min onto 24° bicrystal SrTiO 3 (STO) substrates. The thin film samples were subsequently analyzed by XRD and AFM in order to determine their crystalline structures and surface morphologies respectively. The 67 pH directly coupled DC-SQUIDs with 4 μm-wide bicrystal Josephson junctions were fabricated, and characterized with respect to their device performances. The variations in the critical current ( I c), the voltage modulation depth (Δ V) and the noise performance of DC-SQUIDs were reported. The SQUIDs having relatively low deposition rate of 1.0 nm/min was observed to have larger voltage modulation depth as well as higher critical current than that of the samples having larger rate of 2.0 nm/min. The better noise performances were observed as the film deposition rate decreases. The results were associated with the thin film structure and the SQUID characteristics.

A Comparative Study of Characteristics of Ferrogels Prepared using Coated and Uncoated Fe3O4Nanoparticles

AbstractThis paper presents the results of our analysis of ferrogels prepared using uncoated and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-coated magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles. The N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) based hydrogel is used with 15-25 nm Fe3O4nanoparticles different concentrations in the range 1.25 -14%. These samples were analyzed using ultra small angle x-ray scattering (USAXS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Direct-Current Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (DC-SQUID) magnetometry. Samples prepared with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) coated nanoparticles showed a better single particle distribution compared to uncoated samples. USAXS data indicated that the gels prepared using uncoated nanoparticles have a large two particle agglomerations. In both cases, the volume fraction of the particles in the gel is linearly proportional to the initial particle concentrations. The DC-SQUID magnetometry analysis indicated that the magnetic moment of the gel samples prepared with uncoated particles is ∼ 2emu/g compared to ∼1.5emu/g of those having coated particles.

Numerical studies on dc-SQUID sensors with tightly coupled input coil

We investigated the behavior of two low-Tc direct current superconducting quantum interference device (dc-SQUID) sensors with integrated input coil. A model including the capacitance of the Josephson junctions, thermal noise of the integrated shunt- and damping-resistors as well as a frequency dependent inductance of the SQUID loop was determined and numerically simulated. The SQUID inductance is found to be mainly influenced by parasitic elements introduced by the integrated coils. The simulated characteristics of the examined SQUIDs show many features also seen in experiments, including a hysteresis due to the frequency dependent washer impedance. The measured sensitivity of one of the designs fits well to the simulated value.

Investigation of the effect of thermal cycling on the device performance ofYBa2Cu3O7−δ DC-SQUIDs

We investigated the effect of thermal cycling on the operational performance ofYBa2Cu3O7−δ (YBCO) direct current superconducting quantum interference devices (DC-SQUIDs) fabricated onto24° SrTiO3 (STO) bicrystal substrates. The devices under investigation consist of directly coupledDC-SQUID magnetometer configurations. Thin films having 200 nm thicknesseswere deposited by dc-magnetron sputtering and device patterns were made bya standard lithography process and chemical etching. The SQUIDs having4 µm-wide grain boundary Josephson junctions (GBJJs) were characterized by means of criticalcurrents, peak-to-peak output voltages and noise levels, depending on the thermal cycles.In order to achieve a protective layer for the junctions against the undesired effects ofthermal cycles and ambient atmosphere during the room temperature storage, the deviceswere coated with a 400 nm thick YBCO layer at room temperature. Since the second layerof amorphous YBCO is completely electrically insulating, it does not affect the operation ofthe junctions and pick-up coils of magnetometers. This two-layered configuration ensuresthe protection of the junctions from ambient atmosphere as well as from theeffect of water molecules interacting with the film structure during each thermalcycle.

Micro-SQUIDs with controllable asymmetry via hot-phonon controlled junctions

We describe the fabrication and measurement of a micrometer-sized direct-current superconducting quantum interference device (dc-SQUID) in which the critical currents of each of the constriction-type Josephson junctions can be controlled independently and in situ via a process of nonequilibrium (hot-phonon) irradiation from a nanofabricated gated structure. The control mechanism is based on hot phonons which are injected into the superconducting microbridges from close proximity, but electrically isolated, normal-metal constrictions. We have also developed a one-dimensional computer model to analyze the behavior of micro-SQUID devices including situations in which we modify the asymmetry of the device. We show from the model that the experimental results are consistent with a change in effective length of the microbridge junctions with respect to the coherence length of the film. The experimental data, and its interpretation in relation to the micro-SQUID model, confirm that this technique, based on hot-phonon irradiation for controlling the critical current in Dayem bridge Josephson junctions, is compatible with the Josephson effect and a feasible method for post-fabrication parameter control in superconducting circuits using Dayem bridge Josephson junctions.