Superconducting Quantum Interference Device Research Articles

Growth temperature dependence of MnSb synthesis on GaAs (111) B using molecular beam epitaxy

In this study, we employed MBE to synthesize four MnSb samples on GaAs (111) B substrate at growth temperatures 300 °C, 400 °C, 500 °C, and 600 °C for GT-300, GT-400, GT-500, and GT-600 samples respectively. Surface morphology and elemental composition were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy for four prepared samples. X-ray diffraction was performed to assess the crystal formation and surface quality of all samples. Epitaxial growth confirmation was performed using electron backscatter diffraction. Magnetic properties were assessed via superconducting quantum interference device measurements. Based on these comprehensive characterizations, the GT-500 sample, grown at a temperature of 500 °C (pyrometer 410 °C), demonstrated excellent surface morphology, crystal formation, surface quality, and magnetic properties. This sample holds outstanding potential for future applications, particularly in fabricating spintronics devices as a high-quality ferromagnetic source/drain, powering remote sensors, and thermoelectric devices.

Josephson Junction π-0 Transition Induced by Orbital Hybridization in a Double Quantum Dot.

In this Letter, we manipulate the phase shift of a Josephson junction using a parallel double quantum dot (QD). By employing a superconducting quantum interference device, we determine how orbital hybridization and detuning affect the current-phase relation in the Coulomb blockade regime. For weak hybridization between the QDs, we find π junction characteristics if at least one QD has an unpaired electron. Notably the critical current is higher when both QDs have an odd electron occupation. By increasing the inter-QD hybridization the critical current is reduced, until eventually a π-0 transition occurs. A similar transition appears when detuning the QD levels at finite hybridization. Based on a zero-bandwidth model, we argue that both cases of phase-shift transitions can be understood considering an increased weight of states with a double occupancy in the ground state and with the Cooper pair transport dominated by local Andreev reflection.

Nonlinear Kinetic Inductance Sensor

The concept of nonlinear kinetic inductance sensor (NKIS) of electromagnetic radiation is proposed. The idea is based on divergency of kinetic inductanceLk∼dq/dI(ℏqis a momentum of superconducting electrons,Iis a supercurrent) of hybrid superconductor/normal metal (SN) bridge at currentI*Idep(Idepis a depairing current of the hybrid) and temperatureT* much smaller than critical temperatureTc. It makes possible to have large change of phase differenceδϕalong SN bridge in current biased regime atI≃I*even for small electron temperature increase. Appearance ofδϕis accompanied by the change of the current and magnetic flux through the coupled superconducting ring which could be measured with help of superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). In some respect proposed sensor may be considered as a superconducting counterpart of transition edge sensor (TES) those work is based on large derivativedR/dT(Ris a resistance) nearTc. Because atI≃I*SN bridge is in gapless regime there is no low boundary for frequency of detected electromagnetic radiation. Our calculations show that such a sensor can operate in single photon regime and detect single photons with frequencyν≳10 GHz. We argue that the nontrivial dependenceI(q)of SN bridge could be also used in detectors of continuous electromagnetic radiation, current and magnetic field sensors.

The Study of Temperature-Dependent Magnetic Properties Variation in CoCr2O4 Nanoparticles with (y = 0.8) and Without Coating Concentration of Non-Magnetic (SiO2)y

Abstract The present study investigates the temperature-dependent magnetic (MT) properties of CoCr2O4/(SiO2)y (y = 0 and 0.8) nanoparticles. Nanoparticles were synthesised by using the conventional sol–gel technique. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) method confirmed the normal spinel structure of CoCr2O4 nanoparticles. The main peak analysis of the XRD pattern using Debye–Scherrer’s formula probes the mean crystallite sizes for coated and uncoated nanoparticles, and the sizes based on which the probes have been carried out amount to 19 nm and 28 nm, respectively. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image showed the non-spherical shape of these nanoparticles. Field-cooled (FC) and zero field-cooled (ZFC) MT plots were taken by using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. Pure CoCr2O4 nanoparticles showed the ferrimagnetic transition at Curie temperature (Tc = 99 K) on an applied field (H) of 50 Oe. Tc decreased up to 95 K with the increase in 80% SiO2 concentration in CoCr2O4 nanoparticles. For pure samples, conical spiral temperature (TS) and lock-in transition temperature (TL) remain unchanged with increasing magnetic field because of strong spin–lattice coupling. However, for 80% SiO2 impurity, the decrease in Tc was attributed to the reduction in surface disorder with a minor decline in TS and TL. The Ms declined with a decrease in temperature because of the existence of stiffed/strong conical spin-spiral and lock-in states in pure CoCr2O4 nanoparticles, while nanoparticles with 80% coating SiO2 concentration showed abnormal behavior. The coercivity increases with a decrease in temperature due to a decrease in thermal fluctuations at low temperatures for both samples. The fitting of coercivity (Hc) versus temperature plot by using Kneller’s law has given the values of coercivity constant (α) and coercivity at average blocking temperature (TB) for both samples, which are α = 0.54, TB = 75 K and α = 1.59, TB = 81 K, respectively. Hence, the increase in the concentration of SiO2 decreased nanoparticles size and surface disorder in CoCr2O4 nanoparticles while enhancing Ms below spin-spiral state ordering.

Imaging quantum oscillations and millitesla pseudomagnetic fields in graphene

The exceptional control of the electronic energy bands in atomically thin quantum materials has led to the discovery of several emergent phenomena1. However, at present there is no versatile method for mapping the local band structure in advanced two-dimensional materials devices in which the active layer is commonly embedded in the insulating layers and metallic gates. Using a scanning superconducting quantum interference device, here we image the de Haas–van Alphen quantum oscillations in a model system, the Bernal-stacked trilayer graphene with dual gates, which shows several highly tunable bands2–4. By resolving thermodynamic quantum oscillations spanning more than 100 Landau levels in low magnetic fields, we reconstruct the band structure and its evolution with the displacement field with excellent precision and nanoscale spatial resolution. Moreover, by developing Landau-level interferometry, we show shear-strain-induced pseudomagnetic fields and map their spatial dependence. In contrast to artificially induced large strain, which leads to pseudomagnetic fields of hundreds of tesla5–7, we detect naturally occurring pseudomagnetic fields as low as 1 mT corresponding to graphene twisting by 1 millidegree, two orders of magnitude lower than the typical angle disorder in twisted bilayer graphene8–11. This ability to resolve the local band structure and strain at the nanoscale level enables the characterization and use of tunable band engineering in practical van der Waals devices.

Removal of methyl orange textile dye using magnetic chitosan microspheres adsorbent

Abstract Industrial textile wastewater contains high levels of dyes, which are potentially harmful to aquatic ecosystems by inhibiting sunlight penetration for photosynthesis activities. Adsorption is a simple method for pollutant removal for water treatment. Magnetic Chitosan Microspheres (MCM) has been developed as a natural adsorbent for dye removal. This study aimed to compare the properties of the raw adsorbent and after adsorption by FT-IR, BET, DLS, and SQUID Magnetometry. The adsorption behaviours were investigated by the influence of pH, contact time, and initial concentration on Methyl Orange removal. The result was MCM could eliminate MO until 93.60% at pH 7 with C0 100 mg L−1 in 5 min with an adsorption capacity of 187.21 mg g−1. Adsorption processes were also studied through the isotherm and kinetic. The isotherm showed a closer fit to the Langmuir model than the Freundlich model. The kinetic result showed the PSO model was more suitable than PFO. The research data using MCM for adsorption demonstrated excellent adsorption capability in terms of dye removal percentage and high adsorption capacity. Therefore, this material could be an effective adsorbent for the treatment of dye-containing wastewater.

Design and fabrication of cryogenic multiplexing control chip

This paper presents a design and fabrication process of a cryogenic multiplexing control chip (MCC) for superconducting quantum computers. The working temperature of MCC can be 10 ∼ 30 mK, because it could be integrated with quantum processor in the same package. With a multiplexing ratio of 1:4 and designed working frequency 4–8 GHz, the MCC is a non-reciprocity device which consisted of bandpass filters and isolators, which are based on tunable inductor bridges (TIB). The MCC chip size is 6 × 6 mm2 and includes λ/2 coplanar waveguides resonators, superconducting quantum interference device arrays, capacitors, low pass filters, baluns and bias lines. Adopting self-aligned process of Josephson junctions, the fabrication of MCC constitutes four lithography masks. The modular design of MCC could facilitate the development of large-scale superconducting quantum computers.

Helium Optically Pumped Magnetometers Can Detect Epileptic Abnormalities as Well as SQUIDs as Shown by Intracerebral Recordings.

Magnetoencephalography based on superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) has been shown to improve the diagnosis and surgical treatment decision for presurgical evaluation of drug-resistant epilepsy. Still, its use remains limited because of several constraints such as cost, fixed helmet size, and the obligation of immobility. A new generation of sensors, optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs), could overcome these limitations. In this study, we validate the ability of helium-based OPM (4He-OPM) sensors to record epileptic brain activity thanks to simultaneous recordings with intracerebral EEG [stereotactic EEG (SEEG)]. We recorded simultaneous SQUIDs-SEEG and 4He-OPM-SEEG signals in one patient during two sessions. We show that epileptic activities on intracerebral EEG can be recorded by OPMs with a better signal-to noise ratio than classical SQUIDs. The OPM sensors open new venues for the widespread application of magnetoencephalography in the management of epilepsy and other neurologic diseases and fundamental neuroscience.

Variation of the performance of YBa[formula omitted]Cu[formula omitted]O[formula omitted] radio frequency superconducting quantum interference device with bicrystal grain boundary angle

High transition temperature (high-Tc) superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) based on bicrystal grain boundary junctions have been utilized in a wide range of applications. To explore the effect of the bicrystal grain boundary angle on the property of the high-Tc SQUID, we fabricated and characterized YBa2Cu3O7−δ (YBCO) radio frequency (rf) SQUIDs using [001]-tilt grain boundary junctions on SrTiO3 (STO) bicrystal substrates with three different misorientation angles of θ=18∘, 24°, and 30°. Unlike the device of θ=18∘ showing only the triangular waveform of the voltage–flux (V−Φ) characteristics, for device of θ=24∘ and 30°, the shape of the V−Φ curve can be tuned from approximately triangular into nearly rectangular by adjusting the working point of the device. It suggests that, as θ increases from 18° to 30°, the operation of the device may change from the hysteretic mode into the nonhysteretic mode. This is backed by electrical transport measurements of YBCO bicrystal junctions on separate STO substrates, which help to reveal that lying behind the indicated changeover of the SQUID operation mode is the exponential decrease of the junction critical current density Jc as θ increases. The white noise of the device, which decreases with increasing flux-to-voltage transfer coefficient ∂V/∂Φ, shows a large drop as θ increases to 24°. For both 24° and 30° devices, the white field noise at 77 K is about 90 fT/Hz1/2 at respective optimum working points. For device of 30° with nearly rectangular V−Φ characteristics showing the largest ∂V/∂Φ among the fabricated samples, the white noise region extends below 10 Hz and a field noise of 145 fT/Hz1/2 at 1 Hz is shown, demonstrating the potential of obtaining high-performance bicrystal YBCO rf SQUIDs with this grain boundary angle.

The emergence of non-cryogenic quantum magnetic sensors: Synergistic advancement in magnetography together with SQUID.

Emerging non-superconductor quantum magnetic sensors, such as optically pumped magnetometer, fluxgate, magnetic tunnel junction, and diamond nitrogen-vacancy center, are approaching the performance of superconductor quantum interference devices (SQUIDs). These sensors are enabling magnetography for human bodies and brain-computer interface. Will they completely replace the SQUID magnetography in the near future?

Dry-Type Phantom Emulating Quadrupole-Like Magnetic Field Distribution for Evaluation of Magnetoneurography

This study proposes a dry-type phantom for evaluating the accuracy of magnetoneurography (MNG). The phantom emulates the quadrupole-like pattern of the typical magnetic field distribution observed in MNG. It is composed of a printed circuit board patterned with long rectangular coils, whose short and long edges measure 5 and 360 mm, respectively. The magnetic field distribution from the dry-type phantom was obtained using a 132-ch MNG system equipped with an array of vector-type superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) flux sensors, and it showed a clear quadrupole-like pattern. The dry-type phantom is easier to handle, and provides comparable or higher accuracy than that of the previously developed wet-type phantom in terms of goodness-of-fit.

Rational Design of an Air‐Stable, High‐Spin Diradical with Diazapyrene

AbstractStable carbon‐based polyradicals exhibiting strong spin‐spin coupling and slow depolarization processes are particularly attractive functional materials. A new molecular motif synthesized by a convenient method that allows the integration of stable, high‐spin radicals to (hetero)aromatic polycycles has been developed, as illustrated by a non‐Kekulé diradical showing a triplet ground state with long persistency (τ1/2≈31 h) in air. Compared to the widely used 1,3‐phenylene, the newly designed (diaza)pyrene‐4,10‐diyl moiety is for the first time demonstrated to confer ferromagnetic (FM) spin coupling, allowing delocalized non‐disjoint SOMOs. With the X‐ray crystallography unambiguously proving the diradical structure, the triplet ground state was thoroughly characterized. A large ΔES‐T of 1.1 kcal/mol, proving the strong FM coupling effect, was revealed consistently by superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) measurements and variable‐temperature electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, while the zero‐field splitting and triplet nutation characters were examined by continuous‐wave and pulsed EPR spectroscopy. A millisecond spin‐lattice relaxation time was also detected. The current study not only offers a new molecular motif enabling FM coupling between carbon‐based spins, but more importantly presents a general method for installing stable polyradicals into functional π‐systems.

Tuning the inductance of Josephson junction arrays without SQUIDs

It is customary to use arrays of superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) for implementing magnetic field-tunable inductors. Here, we demonstrate an equivalent tunability in a (SQUID-free) array of single Al/AlOx/Al Josephson tunnel junctions. With the proper choice of junction geometry, a perpendicularly applied magnetic field bends along the plane of the superconductor and focuses into the tunnel barrier region due to a demagnetization effect. Consequently, the Josephson inductance can be efficiently modulated by the Fraunhofer-type supercurrent interference. The elimination of SQUIDs not only simplifies the device design and fabrication but also facilitates a denser packing of junctions, and, hence, a higher inductance per unit length. As an example, we demonstrate a transmission line, the characteristic impedance of which is field-tuned in the range of 4–8 kΩ, centered around the important value of the resistance quantum h/(2e)2≈6.5 kΩ.

Magnetic field induced transitions probed in CrOCl flakes using dynamic cantilever magnetometry

H −T phase diagrams for chromium oxide chloride (CrOCl) are usually obtained using data from the measurements of magnetization and specific heats. Recent works suggest that magnetic anisotropy exists in CrOCl. In this work, we use dynamic cantilever magnetometry, which is sensitive to both magnetization and magnetic anisotropy, to probe phase transitions in CrOCl flakes. Together with magnetization measurements from a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device, four major regions of the CrOCl H−T phase diagram along its c-axis are obtained, which is consistent with the previously reported works. Then, we studied magnetic field induced transitions in CrOCl flakes under four different temperatures. Several transitions in antiferromagnetic state and in incommensurate state, which have not been reported before, were recognized. We believe these transitions probably originate from magnetic anisotropy due to magnetoelastic coupling and lattice reconstruction in CrOCl. Our work provides intriguing experimental results on the intricate magnetic structure of CrOCl, making progress in understanding the rich magnetic states of CrOCl.

Multidimensional numerical simulation of thermodynamic and oscillating gas flow processes of a Gifford-McMahon cryocooler

Abstract The Gifford-McMahon cryocoolers are considered to be prominent candidates for the cooling of high-temperature superconducting magnets, liquefaction of permanent gases, helium recondensation in magnetic resonance imaging machines, cooling of superconducting quantum interference device, etc. In this paper, multi-dimensional numerical simulation is performed to visualize the oscillating heat and fluid flow processes that happen in a mechanically driven GM cryocooler. Influence of the ideal gas equation and real gas equation of states on the cooling behaviour is explained. The minimum achievable refrigeration temperature of a uniform mesh regenerator is compared with a multi-mesh regenerator. It is noticed that a multi-mesh regenerator produces a lower refrigeration temperature as compared to a uniform mesh regenerator. In addition to this, a one-dimensional simulation is conducted and results are compared with multi-dimensional numerical simulation. The no-load temperature value calculated by the one-dimensional model and multi-dimensional model with ideal gas is lower than that of real gas equations. Additionally, the refrigerating capacity calculated by the one-dimensional model and multi-dimensional model with the ideal gas equation is higher than those of the real gas equation of state.

Analyzer-to-Analyzer Variations in Assaying Ultralow Concentrated Biomarkers Associated with Neurodegenerative Diseases Using Immunomagnetic Reduction.

By utilizing a high-temperature superconducting quantum interference device (high-Tc SQUID) magnetometer, an alternating current (AC) magnetosusceptometer, referred to as an analyzer, was developed for ultrasensitive immunoassays. The analyzer has been applied to assay biomarkers in human plasma associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). The involved assay methodology is the so-called immunomagnetic reduction (IMR). Such an analyzer has been approved for clinical use in Taiwan and Europe. The mass production of the analyzer is needed for clinical utilities. The issue of exploring analyzer-to-analyzer variations in the performances becomes critical. Unfortunately, there is no standard characterization to determine the variations in performances among analyzers. In this study, key characterizations, such as output signal stability, signal-to-noise ratio, measured concentrations of a control sample, etc., are proposed. In total, three analyzers are characterized in this work. The detected biomarkers include amyloid peptides, total tau protein, phosphorylated tau protein, and α-synuclein protein for AD and PD. Through one-way ANOVA for any of the characterizations among the three analyzers, it was found that there was no significant difference in any of these characterizations among the analyzers (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the three analyzers are applied to assay biomolecules for AD and PD in reference samples. High correlations (r > 0.8) in measured concentrations of any of these biomarkers in reference samples were obtained among the three analyzers. The results demonstrate that the proposed characterizations are feasible for achieving consistent performance among high-Tc SQUID-based AC magnetosusceptometers for assaying biomolecules.

The on-chip scanning probe with dual niobium nitride nanoscale superconducting quantum interference devices for magnetic imaging at the high temperature

The scanning superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) microscope is a powerful tool for investigating the microscale magnetic properties of quantum materials. However, the low operating temperature of SQUIDs limits the application of the microscope. In this work, we developed an on-chip probe with dual niobium nitride (NbN) nano-SQUIDs for scanning SQUID microscope. The working temperature of the NbN nano-SQUID on-chip probe was up to 8 K, and it enabled the magnetic imaging of samples at the temperature up to 128 K. We used a gradiometric readout scheme for dual nano-SQUIDs in one probe to reduce the influence of the background magnetic field. Furthermore, we demonstrated the capabilities of both topographic and current imaging by the on-chip probe with spatial resolutions of 1 μm and 2 μm, respectively. The advantage of the probe at the high temperature was also demonstrated by the investigation of the superconducting vortices distribution in the yttrium-barium-copper-oxide film.

Hysteresis of magnetization statics and dynamics in [Pt/Co] multilayer

The magnetic multilayer of Co separated by thin spacer layer of Pt was deposited by DC-magnetron sputtering. From the longitudinal magneto-optical Kerr effect based magnetometry and microscopy as well as magnetic force microscopy, the hybrid magnetization structure was deduced: the large size, micrometer scale magnetic domains with in-plane “core magnetization” patterned by nanometer scale domains with out-of-plane components. The hysteresis as a function of in-plane applied magnetic field of both: (i) magnetization curve measured by Superconducting Quantum Interference Device and (ii) dynamic responses measured by broadband Vector Network Analyzer spectroscopy were observed. The experimental results are well described by micromagnetic simulations. These magnetic history dependent effects were explained by magnetization cores, with in plane component, switching.

Stable Inner 2H Tautomer of N-Confused-like Porphyrin Embedded with a Carbazole Subunit: Synthesis, Metal Coordination, and Magnetic and Anion Sensing Studies.

A new class of N-confused porphyrin 1 embedded with a carbazole subunit was prepared via [3 + 1] acid-catalyzed condensation of appropriate precursors. 1 underwent smooth metal complexation with Pd(II) and Cu(II) salts to provide the corresponding diamagnetic 1-Pd and paramagnetic 1-Cu, respectively. The single-crystal X-ray structure of 1-Pd is evident with a square-planar Pd-center through C-H activation of inverted pyrrole. Superconducting quantum interference device analysis combined with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) results provided insights into the paramagnetic nature of 1-Cu. Further, a ratiometric enhancement of near-IR fluorescence at 746 nm was found to be reversible upon adding CN- and F- ions. The solid-state structure of 1-Pd confirms that the anionic species is due to NH deprotonation.

Quantum heat valve and entanglement in superconducting LC resonators

Quantum superconducting circuit with flexible coupler has been a powerful platform for designing quantum thermal machines. In this Letter, we employ the tunable coupling of two superconducting resonators to realize a heat valve by modulating magnetic flux using a superconducting quantum interference device. It is shown that a heat valve can be realized in a wide parameter range. We find a consistent relation between the heat current and quantum entanglement, which indicates the dominant role of entanglement on the heat valve. It provides an insightful understanding of quantum features in quantum heat machines.