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In the present paper, performance of nano-superconducting-quantum-interference devices (SQUIDs) has been investigated in view of their employment in the detection of small spin populations. The analysis has been focused on nano-SQUID sensors having a square loop with a side length of 200 nm. We calculate the spin sensitivity and the magnetic response relative to the single Bohr magneton (single spin), as a function of its position within the SQUID hole. The results show that the SQUID response depends strongly on the spin position; the ratio between the spin sensitivity evaluated in the center of the loop and the minimum one is as high as a factor of 3 for a spin at a reasonable distance z′ of 10 nm from the SQUID plane. Furthermore, the magnetic flux due to several hundred of spins has been evaluated by considering different random spin distributions within the SQUID hole. Due to the both nonuniform SQUID response and the random distribution process, the results show a statistical uncertainty which has been evaluated as a function of the spin number. The estimated informations are very useful to optimize the sensor performance in view of the most nanomagnetism applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper, performances of compact fully integrated superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometers, recently developed, have been investigated in view of their employment in large multichannel systems for biomagnetic imaging. The analysis has been focused on SQUID sensors having a pickup loop side length of 3 and 4 mm based on a design aimed to maximize the magnetic flux transferred from the detection coil to the SQUID in comparison with a magnetometer with 9 mm side length having a suitable sensitivity for biomagnetic applications. The performance study has been consisted in the computation of the magnetic responses to a current dipole which is the most fundamental approach used in biomagnetism. The results have shown that the dipole current sensitivity of 4 mm long side compact magnetometers is suitable for application in multichannel systems for magnetoencephalography and magnetocardiography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the recent years, nanoscale superconducting quantum interference devices (nano-SQUIDs) played a fundamental role in the study of small spin systems. Nano-SQUIDs typically employ nano-Dayem bridges having dimensions (length L and/or width W) greater than coherence length ξ of the superconducting film. They exhibit characteristics different from those of standard SQUIDs because the current-phase relationship (CPR) is nonsinusoidal, rendering most of the theoretical predictions based on the standard SQUID theory usually unreliable. Here, we present a noise theory of dc nano-SQUIDs based on Dayem nanobridges. We have computed the main characteristics of this quantum device including current-voltage and voltage-magnetic flux characteristics, magnetic flux-to-voltage transfer factor, and spectral densities of voltage and magnetic flux noise for L/ξ ratios ranging from 1 (sinusoidal limit) to 3.5 (hysteretic limit). The CPRs have been computed by using the theory of Josephson weak links based on the Ginzburg-Landau equation. The results show a dependence of the magnetic flux noise spectral density on (L/7xi;)4/3 involving a degradation of about a factor of five between the two extreme cases and are consistent with experimentally measured magnetic flux noises reported in the literature. These results provide useful information for both device physics and their applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An integrated ultrahigh sensitive current amplifier based on a niobium dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) has been developed. The sensor design is based on a multiturn signal coil coupled to a suitable SQUID magnetometer. The signal coil consists of 60 square niobium turns tightly coupled to a superconducting flux transformer of a SQUID magnetometer. The primary coil (pick-up coil) of the flux transformer has been suitably designed in order to accommodate the multiturn input coil. It has a side length of 10 mm and a width of 2.4 mm. In such a way we have obtained a signal current to magnetic flux transfer coefficient (current sensitivity) as low as 62 nA/[uppercase_phi_synonym]0. The sensor has been characterized in liquid helium by using a direct coupling low noise readout electronic and a standard modulated electronic in flux locked loop configuration for the noise measurements. Beside the circuit complexity, the sensor has exhibited a smooth and free resonance voltage-flux characteristic guaranteeing a reliable and a stable working operation. Considering a SQUID magnetic flux noise of S[uppercase_phi_synonym]1/2 = 1.8 μ[uppercase_phi_synonym]0/Hz1/2 at T = 4.2 K, a current noise as low as 110 fA/Hz1/2 is obtained. Such a value is about a factor two less than the noise of other SQUIDs of the same category. As an application, Nyquist noise measurements of integrated test resistors using the current sensing noise thermometer technique are reported. Due to its high performance such a sensor can be employed in all applications requiring an extremely current sensitivity like the readout of the gravitational wave detectors and the current sensing noise thermometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the design and the performances of LTc SQUIDs with integrated micro pick-up coils to employ as magnetic field sensors in high spatial resolution measurements. The circular pick-up coils, having an inner diameter ranging from 5 to 50 μm and a line width of 2 μm, are well separated (1.5 mm) from the SQUID body to minimize magnetic interferences. The micro pick-up coils are connected to the SQUID by both magnetometer and gradiometric configurations. All SQUID types contain an integrated modulation/feedback coil for flux locked loop operations. At T = 4.2 K, the sensors have a measured white magnetic flux noise spectral density as low as 3 μΦ0 /Hz1/2. These measurements were made in a flux locked loop, using a direct coupled amplifier, without the use of additional positive feedback. The low noise is attributed to the high intrinsic responsivity of our sensors. Finally, flux gain measurements (the ratio between the measured magnetic flux and the flux applied to the micro pick-up coil), are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the design of an integrated planar SQUID device in view of macroscopic quantum coherence (MQC) experiments. This device is made up by an rf SQUID, as a probe to test the MQC, and a readout system based on a dc SQUID sensor coupled to the probe. To minimize the electromagnetic noise from environment, gradiometric configuration of rf SQUID, dc SQUID and a flux transformer is included. Preliminary results on the decay from the metastable flux state for different rf SQUID-based devices in the classical limit are shown. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A niobium based dc-superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) planar gradiometer with a long baseline (50 mm) for biomagnetic applications has been developed. The pickup antenna consists of two integrated rectangular coils connected in series and magnetically coupled to a dc-SQUID in a double parallel washer configuration by two series multiturn input coils. Due to a high intrinsic responsivity, the sensors have shown at T=4.2 K a white magnetic flux noise spectral density as low as 3 μ[uppercase_phi_synonym]0/Hz1/2. The spectral density of the magnetic field noise referred to one sensing coil, is 3.0 fT/Hz1/2 resulting in a gradient spectral noise of 0.6 fT/(cm Hz1/2). In order to verify the effectiveness of such sensors for biomagnetic applications, the magnetic response to a current dipole has been calculated and the results have been compared with those of an analogous axial gradiometer. The results show that there is no significant difference. Due to their high intrinsic balance and good performances, planar gradiometers may be the elective sensors for biomagnetic application in a soft shielded environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supercurrent decay measurements of nano-superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) based on niobium constrictions (Dayem bridges) are reported. Such measurements provide useful information for applications that employ the SQUID as a trigger where the sensor works on the zero voltage state. The nanodevice consists of a niobium thin film (30 nm thick) ring with a hole side length of 200 nm including two Dayem bridges of 120×200 nm2. The measurements of the switching current distribution from the zero voltage state and the related escape rate, as function of the bias current, have been performed by a low noise fly time technique. The experimental data have shown an intrinsic current fluctuation less than 0.2% of the critical current at liquid helium temperature, corresponding to an intrinsic sensor magnetic flux resolution of a few m[uppercase_phi_synonym]0. The theoretical predictions based on the thermal escape process theory in the moderately damping limit are in a reasonable agreement with the experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high sensitive nano superconducting quantum interference device (nanoSQUID) operating as a magnetic flux to critical current transducer with a suitable feedback circuit is employed to measure the magnetization of ferrimagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. An improved SQUID responsivity has been obtained by using a loop inductance asymmetry. Iron oxide nanoparticles having a mean diameter of 8 nm have been excited by applying a polarizing field in the plane of the nanoSQUID loop. The field dependence of the nanoparticle magnetization at T = 4.2 K shows magnetic hysteresis. Magnetic relaxation measurements are reported and compared with those obtained by using a commercial measurement system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]