A 20-channel magnetoencephalography system based on optically pumped magnetometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Borna, Amir; Carter, Tony R.; Goldberg, Josh D.; Colombo, Anthony P.; Jau, Yuan-Yu; Berry, Christopher; McKay, Jim; Stephen, Julia; Weisend, Michael; Schwindt, Peter D. D.

2017-12-01

We describe a multichannel magnetoencephalography (MEG) system that uses optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) to sense the magnetic fields of the human brain. The system consists of an array of 20 OPM channels conforming to the human subject’s head, a person-sized magnetic shield containing the array and the human subject, a laser system to drive the OPM array, and various control and data acquisition systems. We conducted two MEG experiments: auditory evoked magnetic field and somatosensory evoked magnetic field, on three healthy male subjects, using both our OPM array and a 306-channel Elekta-Neuromag superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) MEG system. The described OPM array measures the tangential components of the magnetic field as opposed to the radial component measured by most SQUID-based MEG systems. Herein, we compare the results of the OPM- and SQUID-based MEG systems on the auditory and somatosensory data recorded in the same individuals on both systems.

High temperature superconductor micro-superconducting-quantum-interference-device magnetometer for magnetization measurement of a microscale magnet.

PubMed

Takeda, Keiji; Mori, Hatsumi; Yamaguchi, Akira; Ishimoto, Hidehiko; Nakamura, Takayoshi; Kuriki, Shinya; Hozumi, Toshiya; Ohkoshi, Shin-ichi

2008-03-01

We have developed a high temperature superconductor (HTS) micrometer-sized dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer for high field and high temperature operation. It was fabricated from YBa2Cu3O7-delta of 92 nm in thickness with photolithography techniques to have a hole of 4x9 microm2 and 2 microm wide grain boundary Josephson junctions. Combined with a three dimensional magnetic field coil system, the modulation patterns of critical current Ic were observed for three different field directions. They were successfully used to measure the magnetic properties of a molecular ferrimagnetic microcrystal (23x17x13 microm3), [Mn2(H2O)2(CH3COO)][W(CN)8]2H2O. The magnetization curve was obtained in magnetic field up to 0.12 T between 30 and 70 K. This is the first to measure the anisotropy of hysteresis curve in the field above 0.1 T with an accuracy of 10(-12) J T(-1) (10(-9) emu) with a HTS micro-SQUID magnetometer.

Proceedings of the Annual Conference on Magnetism and Magnetic Materials (38th) Held at Minneapolis, Minnesota on 15-18 November 1993. (Journal of Applied Physics. Volume 75, Number 10, Part 28

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-05-15

Nogues superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry and small-angle neutron-scattering techniques 5829 Thermodynamical properties of a...sa’nple magnetometer (VSM) and superconducting Coey et al.1 have been extensively studied during the past quantum interference device (SQUID) were used to...were measured in a superconducting quantum- interference 30 device magnetometer at 273 K. 20 e 10 U1 Y3 U RESULTS - C0 20 40 60 80 100 Phase relations

An efficient calibration method for SQUID measurement system using three orthogonal Helmholtz coils

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hua, Li; Shu-Lin, Zhang; Chao-Xiang, Zhang; Xiang-Yan, Kong; Xiao-Ming, Xie

2016-06-01

For a practical superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) based measurement system, the Tesla/volt coefficient must be accurately calibrated. In this paper, we propose a highly efficient method of calibrating a SQUID magnetometer system using three orthogonal Helmholtz coils. The Tesla/volt coefficient is regarded as the magnitude of a vector pointing to the normal direction of the pickup coil. By applying magnetic fields through a three-dimensional Helmholtz coil, the Tesla/volt coefficient can be directly calculated from magnetometer responses to the three orthogonally applied magnetic fields. Calibration with alternating current (AC) field is normally used for better signal-to-noise ratio in noisy urban environments and the results are compared with the direct current (DC) calibration to avoid possible effects due to eddy current. In our experiment, a calibration relative error of about 6.89 × 10-4 is obtained, and the error is mainly caused by the non-orthogonality of three axes of the Helmholtz coils. The method does not need precise alignment of the magnetometer inside the Helmholtz coil. It can be used for the multichannel magnetometer system calibration effectively and accurately. Project supported by the “Strategic Priority Research Program (B)” of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. XDB04020200) and the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission Project, China (Grant No. 15DZ1940902).

Squid detected NMR and MRI at ultralow fields

DOEpatents

Clarke, John [Berkeley, CA; McDermott, Robert [Louisville, CO; Pines, Alexander [Berkeley, CA; Trabesinger, Andreas Heinz [CH-8006 Zurich, CH

2007-05-15

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals are detected in microtesla fields. Prepolarization in millitesla fields is followed by detection with an untuned dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. Because the sensitivity of the SQUID is frequency independent, both signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and spectral resolution are enhanced by detecting the NMR signal in extremely low magnetic fields, where the NMR lines become very narrow even for grossly inhomogeneous measurement fields. MRI in ultralow magnetic field is based on the NMR at ultralow fields. Gradient magnetic fields are applied, and images are constructed from the detected NMR signals.

Squid detected NMR and MRI at ultralow fields

DOEpatents

Clarke, John; McDermott, Robert; Pines, Alexander; Trabesinger, Andreas Heinz

2006-05-30

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals are detected in microtesla fields. Prepolarization in millitesla fields is followed by detection with an untuned dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. Because the sensitivity of the SQUID is frequency independent, both signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and spectral resolution are enhanced by detecting the NMR signal in extremely low magnetic fields, where the NMR lines become very narrow even for grossly inhomogeneous measurement fields. MRI in ultralow magnetic field is based on the NMR at ultralow fields. Gradient magnetic fields are applied, and images are constructed from the detected NMR signals.

Squid detected NMR and MRI at ultralow fields

DOEpatents

Clarke, John [Berkeley, CA; Pines, Alexander [Berkeley, CA; McDermott, Robert F [Monona, WI; Trabesinger, Andreas H [London, GB

2008-12-16

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals are detected in microtesla fields. Prepolarization in millitesla fields is followed by detection with an untuned dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. Because the sensitivity of the SQUID is frequency independent, both signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and spectral resolution are enhanced by detecting the NMR signal in extremely low magnetic fields, where the NMR lines become very narrow even for grossly inhomogeneous measurement fields. MRI in ultralow magnetic field is based on the NMR at ultralow fields. Gradient magnetic fields are applied, and images are constructed from the detected NMR signals.

SQUID detected NMR and MRI at ultralow fields

DOEpatents

Clarke, John; McDermott, Robert; Pines, Alexander; Trabesinger, Andreas Heinz

2006-10-03

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals are detected in microtesla fields. Prepolarization in millitesla fields is followed by detection with an untuned dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. Because the sensitivity of the SQUID is frequency independent, both signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and spectral resolution are enhanced by detecting the NMR signal in extremely low magnetic fields, where the NMR lines become very narrow even for grossly inhomogeneous measurement fields. MRI in ultralow magnetic field is based on the NMR at ultralow fields. Gradient magnetic fields are applied, and images are constructed from the detected NMR signals.

Multichannel System Based on a High Sensitivity Superconductive Sensor for Magnetoencephalography

PubMed Central

Rombetto, Sara; Granata, Carmine; Vettoliere, Antonio; Russo, Maurizio

2014-01-01

We developed a multichannel system based on superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) for magnetoencephalography measurements. Our system consists of 163 fully-integrated SQUID magnetometers, 154 channels and 9 references, and all of the operations are performed inside a magnetically-shielded room. The system exhibits a magnetic field noise spectral density of approximatively 5 fT/Hz1/2. The presented magnetoencephalography is the first system working in a clinical environment in Italy. PMID:25006995

Flux trapping in multi-loop SQUIDs and its impact on SQUID-based absolute magnetometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schönau, T.; Zakosarenko, V.; Schmelz, M.; Anders, S.; Meyer, H.-G.; Stolz, R.

2018-07-01

The effect of flux trapping on the flux-voltage characteristics of multi-loop SQUID magnetometers was investigated by means of repeated cool-down cycles in a stepwise increased magnetic background field. For a SQUID with N parallel loops, N different flux offsets, each separated by {{{Φ }}}0/N, were observed even in zero magnetic field. These flux offsets further split into a so called fine structure, which can be explained by minor asymmetries in the SQUID design. The observed results are discussed with particular regard to their impact on the previously presented absolute SQUID cascade vector magnetometer.

A 20-channel magnetoencephalography system based on optically pumped magnetometers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Borna, Amir; Carter, Tony R.; Goldberg, Josh D.

In this paper, we describe a multichannel magnetoencephalography (MEG) system that uses optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) to sense the magnetic fields of the human brain. The system consists of an array of 20 OPM channels conforming to the human subject's head, a person-sized magnetic shield containing the array and the human subject, a laser system to drive the OPM array, and various control and data acquisition systems. We conducted two MEG experiments: auditory evoked magnetic field and somatosensory evoked magnetic field, on three healthy male subjects, using both our OPM array and a 306-channel Elekta-Neuromag superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID)more » MEG system. The described OPM array measures the tangential components of the magnetic field as opposed to the radial component measured by most SQUID-based MEG systems. Finally, herein, we compare the results of the OPM- and SQUID-based MEG systems on the auditory and somatosensory data recorded in the same individuals on both systems.« less

A 20-channel magnetoencephalography system based on optically pumped magnetometers

DOE PAGES

Borna, Amir; Carter, Tony R.; Goldberg, Josh D.; ...

2017-10-16

In this paper, we describe a multichannel magnetoencephalography (MEG) system that uses optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) to sense the magnetic fields of the human brain. The system consists of an array of 20 OPM channels conforming to the human subject's head, a person-sized magnetic shield containing the array and the human subject, a laser system to drive the OPM array, and various control and data acquisition systems. We conducted two MEG experiments: auditory evoked magnetic field and somatosensory evoked magnetic field, on three healthy male subjects, using both our OPM array and a 306-channel Elekta-Neuromag superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID)more » MEG system. The described OPM array measures the tangential components of the magnetic field as opposed to the radial component measured by most SQUID-based MEG systems. Finally, herein, we compare the results of the OPM- and SQUID-based MEG systems on the auditory and somatosensory data recorded in the same individuals on both systems.« less

An ultra-sensitive and wideband magnetometer based on a superconducting quantum interference device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Storm, Jan-Hendrik; Hömmen, Peter; Drung, Dietmar; Körber, Rainer

2017-02-01

The magnetic field noise in superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) used for biomagnetic research such as magnetoencephalography or ultra-low-field nuclear magnetic resonance is usually limited by instrumental dewar noise. We constructed a wideband, ultra-low noise system with a 45 mm diameter superconducting pick-up coil inductively coupled to a current sensor SQUID. Thermal noise in the liquid helium dewar is minimized by using aluminized polyester fabric as superinsulation and aluminum oxide strips as heat shields. With a magnetometer pick-up coil in the center of the Berlin magnetically shielded room 2 (BMSR2), a noise level of around 150 aT Hz-1/2 is achieved in the white noise regime between about 20 kHz and the system bandwidth of about 2.5 MHz. At lower frequencies, the resolution is limited by magnetic field noise arising from the walls of the shielded room. Modeling the BMSR2 as a closed cube with continuous μ-metal walls, we can quantitatively reproduce its measured field noise.

Chip-Scale Atomic Magnetometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Knappe, Svenja

2010-03-01

Atomic magnetometers have reached sensitivities rivaling those of superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) in some frequency ranges [1]. A major advancement in atomic magnetometry was made possible by implementing interrogation schemes that suppress spin-exchange collisions between the alkali atoms [2]. Good signal-to-noise can be achieved by operation at very high alkali densities. At the same time, it introduces the challenge to create uniform spin-polarization and monitor the atomic precession about the magnetic field in atomic vapors with large optical densities. Off-resonant detection of the polarization rotation rather than the absorption is essential to operate in this regime. By use of microfabrication methods, we are miniaturizing such atomic magnetometers. They consist of miniature vapor cells with volumes of a few cubic millimeters integrated with micro-optical components. We present the advancement in sensitivities of such devices over nearly four orders of magnitude [3]. This allows for small low-power room-temperature devices with sensitivities that get close to those of SQUIDs in the frequency range around 100 Hz. We outline the current performance of chip-scale atomic magnetometers and the major challenges. Apart from efficient pumping and probing at high optical densities, these include magnetic noise caused by several sensor components and environmental factors, noise on the light fields, as well as magnetic fields from current-carrying parts, such as heaters, lasers, and photodetectors.[4pt] [1] Allred et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 130801 (2002) [0pt] [2] Happer and Tam, Phys. Rev. A 16, 1877 (1977) [0pt] [3] Griffith et al., Appl. Phys. Lett 94, 023502 (2009)

NMR/MRI with hyperpolarized gas and high Tc SQUID

DOEpatents

Schlenga, Klaus; de Souza, Ricardo E.; Wong-Foy, Annjoe; Clarke, John; Pines, Alexander

2000-01-01

A method and apparatus for the detection of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals and production of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from samples combines the use of hyperpolarized inert gases to enhance the NMR signals from target nuclei in a sample and a high critical temperature (Tc) superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) to detect the NMR signals. The system operates in static magnetic fields of 3 mT or less (down to 0.1 mT), and at temperatures from liquid nitrogen (77K) to room temperature. Sample size is limited only by the size of the magnetic field coils and not by the detector. The detector is a high Tc SQUID magnetometer designed so that the SQUID detector can be very close to the sample, which can be at room temperature.

High Sensitivity Optically Pumped Quantum Magnetometer

PubMed Central

Tiporlini, Valentina; Alameh, Kamal

2013-01-01

Quantum magnetometers based on optical pumping can achieve sensitivity as high as what SQUID-based devices can attain. In this paper, we discuss the principle of operation and the optimal design of an optically pumped quantum magnetometer. The ultimate intrinsic sensitivity is calculated showing that optimal performance of the magnetometer is attained with an optical pump power of 20 μW and an operation temperature of 48°C. Results show that the ultimate intrinsic sensitivity of the quantum magnetometer that can be achieved is 327 fT/Hz1/2 over a bandwidth of 26 Hz and that this sensitivity drops to 130 pT/Hz1/2 in the presence of environmental noise. The quantum magnetometer is shown to be capable of detecting a sinusoidal magnetic field of amplitude as low as 15 pT oscillating at 25 Hz. PMID:23766716

Digitally controlled high-performance dc SQUID readout electronics for a 304-channel vector magnetometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bechstein, S.; Petsche, F.; Scheiner, M.; Drung, D.; Thiel, F.; Schnabel, A.; Schurig, Th

2006-06-01

Recently, we have developed a family of dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) readout electronics for several applications. These electronics comprise a low-noise preamplifier followed by an integrator, and an analog SQUID bias circuit. A highly-compact low-power version with a flux-locked loop bandwidth of 0.3 MHz and a white noise level of 1 nV/√Hz was specially designed for a 304-channel low-Tc dc SQUID vector magnetometer, intended to operate in the new Berlin Magnetically Shielded Room (BMSR-2). In order to minimize the space needed to mount the electronics on top of the dewar and to minimize the power consumption, we have integrated four electronics channels on one 3 cm × 10 cm sized board. Furthermore we embedded the analog components of these four channels into a digitally controlled system including an in-system programmable microcontroller. Four of these integrated boards were combined to one module with a size of 4 cm × 4 cm × 16 cm. 19 of these modules were implemented, resulting in a total power consumption of about 61 W. To initialize the 304 channels and to service the system we have developed software tools running on a laptop computer. By means of these software tools the microcontrollers are fed with all required data such as the working points, the characteristic parameters of the sensors (noise, voltage swing), or the sensor position inside of the vector magnetometer system. In this paper, the developed electronics including the software tools are described, and first results are presented.

Practical SQUID Instrument for Nondestructive Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tralshawala, N.; Claycomb, J. R.; Miller, John H., Jr.

1997-01-01

We report on the development of a scanning eddy-current imaging system designed to detect deep subsurface flaws in conducting materials. A high transition temperature (high-T c) superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer is employed to provide the required sensitivity at low frequencies, while a combination of small cylindrical high-Tc superconducting and A-metal shields enable the instrument to be scanned in a magnetically noisy environment, rather than the object under test. The shields are arranged to prevent unwanted excitation and ambient noise fields from reaching the SQUID, and to enhance spatial resolution and minimize undesirable edge effects. Thus far, the instrument has successfully detected cracks and pits through 10 layers of aluminum, with a combined thickness of 5 cm at room temperature.

Sensors and detectors based on superconducting devices. (Latest citations from the NTIS Bibliographic database). Published Search

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

NONE

1993-10-01

The bibliography contains citations concerning gradiometers, magnetometers, and infrared detectors which use superconductors to improve sensitivity. Applications include biomagnetic measurements for medical studies, gravity wave experiments, geomagnetism, galvanometers, voltmeters, bolometers and radiometers. Some articles refer to design considerations for cooling systems for the sensors and detectors, and fabrication techniques for SQUIDS (superconducting quantum interference devices). (Contains 250 citations and includes a subject term index and title list.)

Paleomagnetic Analysis Using SQUID Microscopy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weiss, Benjamin P.; Lima, Eduardo A.; Fong, Luis E.; Baudenbacher, Franz J.

2007-01-01

Superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) microscopes are a new generation of instruments that map magnetic fields with unprecedented spatial resolution and moment sensitivity. Unlike standard rock magnetometers, SQUID microscopes map magnetic fields rather than measuring magnetic moments such that the sample magnetization pattern must be retrieved from source model fits to the measured field data. In this paper, we presented the first direct comparison between paleomagnetic analyses on natural samples using joint measurements from SQUID microscopy and moment magnetometry. We demonstrated that in combination with apriori geologic and petrographic data, SQUID microscopy can accurately characterize the magnetization of lunar glass spherules and Hawaiian basalt. The bulk moment magnitude and direction of these samples inferred from inversions of SQUID microscopy data match direct measurements on the same samples using moment magnetometry. In addition, these inversions provide unique constraints on the magnetization distribution within the sample. These measurements are among the most sensitive and highest resolution quantitative paleomagnetic studies of natural remanent magnetization to date. We expect that this technique will be able to extend many other standard paleomagnetic techniques to previously inaccessible microscale samples.

Prototyping a new, high-temperature SQUID magnetometer system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grappone, J. Michael; Shaw, John; Biggin, Andrew J.

2017-04-01

High-sensitivity Superconducting Quantum Inference Devices (SQUIDs) and μ-metal shielding have largely solved paleomagnetic noise problems. Combing the two allows successful measurements of previously unusable samples, generally sediments with very weak (<10 pAm2) magnetizations. The improved sensitivity increases the fidelity of magnetic field variation surveys, but surveys continue to be somewhat slow. SQUIDs have historically been expensive to buy and operate, but technological advances now allow them to operate at liquid nitrogen temperatures (77 K), drastically reducing their costs. Step-wise thermal paleomagnetics studies cause large lag times during later steps as a result of heating from and cooling to room temperature for measurements. If the cooling step is removed entirely, however, the lag time drops by at least half. Available magnetometers currently provide either SQUID-level (0.1 - 1 pAm2) sensitivity or continuous heating. Combining a SQUID magnetometer with a high temperature oven is the logical next step to uncover the mysteries of the paleofield. However, the few that currently offer high temperature capabilities with noise levels approaching 10 pAm2 require either spinning or vibrating the sample, necessitating additional handling and potentially causing damage to the sample. Two primary factors have plagued previous developments: noise levels and temperature gradients. Our entire system is shielded from the environment using 4 layers of μ-metal. Our sample oven (designed for 7 mm diameter samples) sits inside a copper pipe and operates at high-frequency AC voltages. High frequency (10 kHz) AC current reduces the skin depth of radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic noise, which allows the 2 mm-thick copper shielding to reduce RF noise by ˜94%, leaving a residual field of ˜1.5 nT at the SQUID's location, 14.9 mm from the oven. A computer-controlled Eurotherm 3216 thermal controller regulates the temperature within ± 0.5 ˚ C. To reach 700 ˚ C, just above the Curie temperature of Hematite, a temperature difference of nearly 900 ˚ C between the sample and the SQUID is required. Since dipole fields decay rapidly with distance (∝ r -3 ), the equipment is designed to handle temperature gradients above 500 ˚ C cm-1 for maximum sensitivity using a passive double-vacuum separation system. All the parts used are commercially available to help reduce the operating costs and increase versatility.

Multiplexed HTS rf SQUID magnetometer array for eddy current testing of aircraft rivet joints

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gärtner, S.; Krause, H.-J.; Wolters, N.; Lomparski, D.; Wolf, W.; Schubert, J.; Kreutzbruck, M. v.; Allweins, K.

2002-05-01

Using three rf SQUID magnetometers, a multiplexed SQUID array was implemented. The SQUIDs are positioned in line with 7 mm spacing and operated using one feedback electronics with sequential read out demodulation at different radio frequencies (rf). The cross-talk between SQUID channels was determined to be negligible. To show the performance of the SQUID array, eddy current (EC) measurements of aluminum aircraft samples in conjunction with a differential (double-D) EC excitation and lock-in readout were carried out. With computer-controlled continuous switching of the SQUIDs during the scan, three EC signal traces of the sample are obtained simultaneously. We performed measurements with an EC excitation frequency of 135 Hz to localize an artificial crack (sawcut flaw) of 20 mm length in an aluminum sheet with 0.6 mm thickness. The flaw was still detected when covered with aluminum of up to 10 mm thickness. In addition, measurements with varying angles between scanning direction and flaw orientation are presented.

Magnetocardiography with sensors based on giant magnetoresistance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pannetier-Lecoeur, M.; Parkkonen, L.; Sergeeva-Chollet, N.; Polovy, H.; Fermon, C.; Fowley, C.

2011-04-01

Biomagnetic signals, mostly due to the electrical activity in the body, are very weak and they can only be detected by the most sensitive magnetometers, such as Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs). We report here biomagnetic recordings with hybrid sensors based on Giant MagnetoResistance (GMR). We recorded magnetic signatures of the electric activity of the human heart (magnetocardiography) in healthy volunteers. The P-wave and QRS complex, known from the corresponding electric recordings, are clearly visible in the recordings after an averaging time of about 1 min. Multiple recordings at different locations over the chest yielded a dipolar magnetic field map and allowed localizing the underlying current sources. The sensitivity of the GMR-based sensors is now approaching that of SQUIDs and paves way for spin electronics devices for functional imaging of the body.

Sensors and detectors based on superconducting devices. (Latest citations from the Compendex database). Published Search

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1993-02-01

The bibliography contains citations concerning gradiometers, magnetometers, and infrared detectors which use superconductors to improve sensitivity. Applications include biomagnetic measurements for medical studies, gravity wave experiments, geomagnetism and ocean bottom magnetic exploration, galvanometers and voltmeters, and bolometers and radiometers. Some articles refer to design considerations for cooling systems for the sensors and detectors, and fabrication techniques for SQUIDS (superconducting quantum interference devices.) (Contains 250 citations and includes a subject term index and title list.)

Measuring MEG closer to the brain: Performance of on-scalp sensor arrays

PubMed Central

Iivanainen, Joonas; Stenroos, Matti; Parkkonen, Lauri

2017-01-01

Optically-pumped magnetometers (OPMs) have recently reached sensitivity levels required for magnetoencephalography (MEG). OPMs do not need cryogenics and can thus be placed within millimetres from the scalp into an array that adapts to the invidual head size and shape, thereby reducing the distance from cortical sources to the sensors. Here, we quantified the improvement in recording MEG with hypothetical on-scalp OPM arrays compared to a 306-channel state-of-the-art SQUID array (102 magnetometers and 204 planar gradiometers). We simulated OPM arrays that measured either normal (nOPM; 102 sensors), tangential (tOPM; 204 sensors), or all components (aOPM; 306 sensors) of the magnetic field. We built forward models based on magnetic resonance images of 10 adult heads; we employed a three-compartment boundary element model and distributed current dipoles evenly across the cortical mantle. Compared to the SQUID magnetometers, nOPM and tOPM yielded 7.5 and 5.3 times higher signal power, while the correlations between the field patterns of source dipoles were reduced by factors of 2.8 and 3.6, respectively. Values of the field-pattern correlations were similar across nOPM, tOPM and SQUID gradiometers. Volume currents reduced the signals of primary currents on average by 10%, 72% and 15% in nOPM, tOPM and SQUID magnetometers, respectively. The information capacities of the OPM arrays were clearly higher than that of the SQUID array. The dipole-localization accuracies of the arrays were similar while the minimum-norm-based point-spread functions were on average 2.4 and 2.5 times more spread for the SQUID array compared to nOPM and tOPM arrays, respectively. PMID:28007515

SQUIDs vs. Induction Coils for Ultra-Low Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance: Experimental and Simulation Comparison

PubMed Central

Matlashov, Andrei N.; Schultz, Larry J.; Espy, Michelle A.; Kraus, Robert H.; Savukov, Igor M.; Volegov, Petr L.; Wurden, Caroline J.

2011-01-01

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is widely used in medicine, chemistry and industry. One application area is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Recently it has become possible to perform NMR and MRI in the ultra-low field (ULF) regime requiring measurement field strengths of the order of only 1 Gauss. This technique exploits the advantages offered by superconducting quantum interference devices or SQUIDs. Our group has built SQUID based MRI systems for brain imaging and for liquid explosives detection at airport security checkpoints. The requirement for liquid helium cooling limits potential applications of ULF MRI for liquid identification and security purposes. Our experimental comparative investigation shows that room temperature inductive magnetometers may provide enough sensitivity in the 3–10 kHz range and can be used for fast liquid explosives detection based on ULF NMR technique. We describe experimental and computer-simulation results comparing multichannel SQUID based and induction coils based instruments that are capable of performing ULF MRI for liquid identification. PMID:21747638

Use of a SQUID array to detect T-cells with magnetic nanoparticles in determining transplant rejection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flynn, Edward R.; Bryant, H. C.; Bergemann, Christian; Larson, Richard S.; Lovato, Debbie; Sergatskov, Dmitri A.

2007-04-01

Acute rejection in organ transplant is signaled by the proliferation of T-cells that target and kill the donor cells requiring painful biopsies to detect rejection onset. An alternative non-invasive technique is proposed using a multi-channel superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer to detect T-cell lymphocytes in the transplanted organ labeled with magnetic nanoparticles conjugated to antibodies specifically attached to lymphocytic ligand receptors. After a magnetic field pulse, the T-cells produce a decaying magnetic signal with a characteristic time of the order of a second. The extreme sensitivity of this technique, 10 5 cells, can provide early warning of impending transplant rejection and monitor immune-suppressive chemotherapy.

NMR and MRI apparatus and method

DOEpatents

Clarke, John; Kelso, Nathan; Lee, SeungKyun; Moessle, Michael; Myers, Whittier; McDermott, Robert; ten Haken, Bernard; Pines, Alexander; Trabesinger, Andreas

2007-03-06

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals are detected in microtesla fields. Prepolarization in millitesla fields is followed by detection with an untuned dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. Because the sensitivity of the SQUID is frequency independent, both signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and spectral resolution are enhanced by detecting the NMR signal in extremely low magnetic fields, where the NMR lines become very narrow even for grossly inhomogeneous measurement fields. Additional signal to noise benefits are obtained by use of a low noise polarization coil, comprising litz wire or superconducting materials. MRI in ultralow magnetic field is based on the NMR at ultralow fields. Gradient magnetic fields are applied, and images are constructed from the detected NMR signals.

Superconducting Quantum Interferometers for Nondestructive Evaluation

PubMed Central

Kostyurina, E. A.; Kalashnikov, K. V.; Maslennikov, Yu. V.; Koshelets, V. P.

2017-01-01

We review stationary and mobile systems that are used for the nondestructive evaluation of room temperature objects and are based on superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs). The systems are optimized for samples whose dimensions are between 10 micrometers and several meters. Stray magnetic fields from small samples (10 µm–10 cm) are studied using a SQUID microscope equipped with a magnetic flux antenna, which is fed through the walls of liquid nitrogen cryostat and a hole in the SQUID’s pick-up loop and returned sidewards from the SQUID back to the sample. The SQUID microscope does not disturb the magnetization of the sample during image recording due to the decoupling of the magnetic flux antenna from the modulation and feedback coil. For larger samples, we use a hand-held mobile liquid nitrogen minicryostat with a first order planar gradiometric SQUID sensor. Low-Tc DC SQUID systems that are designed for NDE measurements of bio-objects are able to operate with sufficient resolution in a magnetically unshielded environment. High-Tc DC SQUID magnetometers that are operated in a magnetic shield demonstrate a magnetic field resolution of ~4 fT/√Hz at 77 K. This sensitivity is improved to ~2 fT/√Hz at 77 K by using a soft magnetic flux antenna. PMID:29210980

Optical multichannel room temperature magnetic field imaging system for clinical application

PubMed Central

Lembke, G.; Erné, S. N.; Nowak, H.; Menhorn, B.; Pasquarelli, A.

2014-01-01

Optically pumped magnetometers (OPM) are a very promising alternative to the superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) used nowadays for Magnetic Field Imaging (MFI), a new method of diagnosis based on the measurement of the magnetic field of the human heart. We present a first measurement combining a multichannel OPM-sensor with an existing MFI-system resulting in a fully functional room temperature MFI-system. PMID:24688820

Sensors and detectors based on superconducting devices. July 1988-June 1989 (Citations from the COMPENDEX data base). Report for July 1988-June 1989

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1989-07-01

This bibliography contains citations concerning gradiometers, magnetometers, and infrared detectors which use superconductors to improve sensitivity. Applications include biomagnetic measurements for medical studies, gravity-wave experiments, geomagnetism and ocean-bottom magnetic exploration, galvanometers and voltmeters, and bolometers and radiometers. Some articles refer to design considerations for cooling systems for the sensors and detectors, and fabrication techniques for SQUIDs (superconducting quantum interference devices.) (This updated bibliography contains 74 citations, all of which are new entries to the previous edition.)

Sensors and detectors based on superconducting devices. January 1970-June 1988 (Citations from the COMPENDEX data base). Report for January 1970-June 1988

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1989-07-01

This bibliography contains citations concerning gradiometers, magnetometers, and infrared detectors which use superconductors to improve sensitivity. Applications include biomagnetic measurements for medical studies, gravity-wave experiments, geomagnetism and ocean-bottom magnetic exploration, galvanometers and voltmeters, and bolometers and radiometers. Some articles refer to design considerations for cooling systems for the sensors and detectors, and fabrication techniques for SQUIDs (superconducting quantum interference devices.) (This updated bibliography contains 394 citations, none of which are new entries to the previous edition.)

Sensors and detectors based on superconducting devices. July 1982-February 1989 (Citations from the EI Engineering Meetings data base). Report for July 1982-February 1989

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1989-04-01

This bibliography contains citations from conference proceedings concerning gradiometers, magnetometers, and infrared detectors which use superconductors to improve sensitivity. Applications include biomagnetic measurements for medical studies, gravity-wave experiments, geomagnetism and ocean bottom magnetic exploration, galvanometers and voltmeters, and bolometers and radiometers. Some articles refer to design considerations for cooling systems for the sensors and detectors, and fabrication techniques for SQUIDS (superconducting quantum interference devices.) (Contains 115 citations fully indexed and including a title list.)

Sensors and detectors based on superconducting devices. January 1970-June 1988 (Citations from the Engineering Index data base). Report for January 1970-June 1988

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1988-07-01

This bibliography contains citations concerning gradiometers, magnetometers, and infrared detectors which use superconductors to improve sensitivity. Applications include biomagnetic measurements for medical studies, gravity-wave experiments, geomagnetism, and ocean-bottom magnetic exploration, galvanometers and voltmeters, and bolometers, and radiometers. Some articles refer to design considerations for cooling systems for the sensors and detectors, and fabrication techniques for squids (superconducting quantum interference devices.) (This updated bibliography contains 394 citations, 71 of which are new entries to the previous edition.)

Note: Commercial SQUID magnetometer-compatible NMR probe and its application for studying a quantum magnet.

PubMed

Vennemann, T; Jeong, M; Yoon, D; Magrez, A; Berger, H; Yang, L; Živković, I; Babkevich, P; Rønnow, H M

2018-04-01

We present a compact nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) probe which is compatible with a magnet of a commercial superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer and demonstrate its application to the study of a quantum magnet. We employ trimmer chip capacitors to construct an NMR tank circuit for low temperature measurements. Using a magnetic insulator MoOPO 4 with S = 1/2 (Mo 5+ ) as an example, we show that the T-dependence of the circuit is weak enough to allow the ligand-ion NMR study of magnetic systems. Our 31 P NMR results are compatible with previous bulk susceptibility and neutron scattering experiments and furthermore reveal unconventional spin dynamics.

Note: Commercial SQUID magnetometer-compatible NMR probe and its application for studying a quantum magnet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vennemann, T.; Jeong, M.; Yoon, D.; Magrez, A.; Berger, H.; Yang, L.; Živković, I.; Babkevich, P.; Rønnow, H. M.

2018-04-01

We present a compact nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) probe which is compatible with a magnet of a commercial superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer and demonstrate its application to the study of a quantum magnet. We employ trimmer chip capacitors to construct an NMR tank circuit for low temperature measurements. Using a magnetic insulator MoOPO4 with S = 1/2 (Mo5+) as an example, we show that the T-dependence of the circuit is weak enough to allow the ligand-ion NMR study of magnetic systems. Our 31P NMR results are compatible with previous bulk susceptibility and neutron scattering experiments and furthermore reveal unconventional spin dynamics.

Scanning SQUID microscope with an in-situ magnetization/demagnetization field for geological samples

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Du, Junwei; Liu, Xiaohong; Qin, Huafeng; Wei, Zhao; Kong, Xiangyang; Liu, Qingsong; Song, Tao

2018-04-01

Magnetic properties of rocks are crucial for paleo-, rock-, environmental-magnetism, and magnetic material sciences. Conventional rock magnetometers deal with bulk properties of samples, whereas scanning microscope can map the distribution of remanent magnetization. In this study, a new scanning microscope based on a low-temperature DC superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) equipped with an in-situ magnetization/demagnetization device was developed. To realize the combination of sensitive instrument as SQUID with high magnetizing/demagnetizing fields, the pick-up coil, the magnetization/demagnetization coils and the measurement mode of the system were optimized. The new microscope has a field sensitivity of 250 pT/√Hz at a coil-to-sample spacing of ∼350 μm, and high magnetization (0-1 T)/ demagnetization (0-300 mT, 400 Hz) functions. With this microscope, isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM) acquisition and the according alternating field (AF) demagnetization curves can be obtained for each point without transferring samples between different procedures, which could result in position deviation, waste of time, and other interferences. The newly-designed SQUID microscope, thus, can be used to investigate the rock magnetic properties of samples at a micro-area scale, and has a great potential to be an efficient tool in paleomagnetism, rock magnetism, and magnetic material studies.

Ultra-high sensitivity moment magnetometry of geological samples using magnetic microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lima, Eduardo A.; Weiss, Benjamin P.

2016-09-01

Useful paleomagnetic information is expected to be recorded by samples with moments up to three orders of magnitude below the detection limit of standard superconducting rock magnetometers. Such samples are now detectable using recently developed magnetic microscopes, which map the magnetic fields above room-temperature samples with unprecedented spatial resolutions and field sensitivities. However, realizing this potential requires the development of techniques for retrieving sample moments from magnetic microscopy data. With this goal, we developed a technique for uniquely obtaining the net magnetic moment of geological samples from magnetic microscopy maps of unresolved or nearly unresolved magnetization. This technique is particularly powerful for analyzing small, weakly magnetized samples such as meteoritic chondrules and terrestrial silicate crystals like zircons. We validated this technique by applying it to field maps generated from synthetic sources and also to field maps measured using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) microscope above geological samples with moments down to 10-15 Am2. For the most magnetic rock samples, the net moments estimated from the SQUID microscope data are within error of independent moment measurements acquired using lower sensitivity standard rock magnetometers. In addition to its superior moment sensitivity, SQUID microscope net moment magnetometry also enables the identification and isolation of magnetic contamination and background sources, which is critical for improving accuracy in paleomagnetic studies of weakly magnetic samples.

SQUIDs vs. Faraday coils for ultlra-low field nuclear magnetic resonance: experimental and simulation comparison

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Matlashov, Andrei N; Espy, Michelle A; Kraus, Robert H

2010-01-01

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods are widely used in medicine, chemistry and industry. One application area is magnetic resonance imaging or MRI. Recently it has become possible to perform NMR and MRI in ultra-low field (ULF) regime that requires measurement field strengths only of the order of 1 Gauss. These techniques exploit the advantages offered by superconducting quantum interference devices or SQUIDs. Our group at LANL has built SQUID based MRI systems for brain imaging and for liquid explosives detection at airports security checkpoints. The requirement for liquid helium cooling limits potential applications of ULF MRI for liquid identification andmore » security purposes. Our experimental comparative investigation shows that room temperature inductive magnetometers provide enough sensitivity in the 3-10 kHz range and can be used for fast liquid explosives detection based on ULF NMR/MRI technique. We describe an experimental and computer simulation comparison of the world's first multichannel SQUID based and Faraday coils based instruments that are capable of performing ULF MRI for liquids identification.« less

Statistical characterization of voltage-biased SQUIDs with weakly damped junctions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Chao; Zhang, Yi; Mück, Michael; Zhang, Shulin; Krause, Hans-Joachim; Braginski, Alex I.; Zhang, Guofeng; Wang, Yongliang; Kong, Xiangyan; Xie, Xiaoming; Offenhäusser, Andreas; Jiang, Mianheng

2013-06-01

Recently, it has been shown that voltage-biased readout of SQUIDs with weakly damped junctions (large Stewart-McCumber parameter βc, due to high shunt resistance) is useful for suppression of preamplifier noise. We experimentally studied the characteristics of 53 planar niobium-SQUID magnetometers with junction shunt resistors RJ nominally of 30 Ω fabricated on 5 × 5 mm2 chips. The field-to-flux transfer coefficient ∂B/∂Φ of the magnetometers was 1.5 nT/Φ0, with a SQUID loop inductance Ls of about 350 pH. The distributions of important SQUID parameters, such as the current swing Iswing, the dynamic resistance Rd, and the flux-to-voltage transfer coefficient ∂V/∂Φ, are given. Nearly all the SQUIDs could be stably operated in the voltage bias mode and their ∂V/∂Φ reached a large mean value of 380 μV/Φ0. In this case, the SQUIDs can be read out directly by a commercial operational amplifier without any additional means to suppress preamplifier noise. The mean flux noise of the SQUIDs was found to be 4.5 μΦ0 Hz-1/2, corresponding to a field resolution of 7 fT Hz-1/2. To demonstrate the applicability of these SQUIDs in the direct readout scheme, a simple four-channel SQUID gradiometer system was set up to perform magnetocardiography and magnetoencephalography measurements in a magnetically shielded room.

Evaluation of a Three-Channel High-Temperature Superconducting Magnetometer System

DTIC Science & Technology

1997-06-01

achieved by the best commercially available fluxgate magnetometers demonstrated to date and is only surpassed by low temperature superconducting...wire lines carry the analog SQUID magnetometer signal as well as dc power and ground, and the fiberoptic lines carry digital clock and data signals...with the magnetometers mounted on the three-sensor probe used in the sensor evaluated here. This probe is not highly stabilized with respect to the

Multilayer MgB{sub 2} superconducting quantum interference filter magnetometers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Galan, Elias; Melbourne, Thomas; Davidson, Bruce A.

2016-04-25

We report two types of all-MgB{sub 2} superconductive quantum interference filter (SQIF) magnetometers that can measure absolute magnetic fields with high sensitivity. In one configuration, the SQIFs were made of 20 multilayer nonplanar all-MgB{sub 2} superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) connected in parallel with loop areas ranging in size from 0.4 to 3.6 μm{sup 2}. These devices are sensitive to magnetic fields parallel to the substrate and show a single antipeak from 3 to 16 K with a maximum transfer function of ∼16 V/T at 3 K and a field noise of ∼110 pT/Hz{sup 1/2} above 100 Hz at 10 K. In a second configuration, themore » SQIFs were made with 16 planar SQUIDs connected in parallel with loop areas ranging in size from 4 μm{sup 2} to 25 μm{sup 2} and are sensitive to the magnetic fields perpendicular to the substrate. The planar SQIF shows a single antipeak from 10 to 22 K with a maximum transfer function of 7800 V/T at 10 K and a field noise of ∼70 pT/Hz{sup 1/2} above 100 Hz at 20 K.« less

Sensors and detectors based on superconducting devices. July 1982-May 1990 (A Bibliography from the EI Engineering Meetings data base). Report for July 1982-May 1990

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1990-06-01

This bibliography contains citations from conference proceedings concerning gradiometers, magnetometers, and infrared detectors which use superconductors to improve sensitivity. Applications include biomagnetic measurements for medical studies, gravity wave experiments, geomagnetism and ocean bottom magnetic exploration, galvanometers and voltmeters, and bolometers and radiometers. Some articles refer to design considerations for cooling systems for the sensors and detectors, and fabrication techniques for squids (superconducting quantum interference devices.) (This updated bibliography contains 189 citations, 74 of which are new entries to the previous edition.)

The magnetic field of gastrointestinal smooth muscle activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bradshaw, Alan; Ladipo, Jk; Richards, William; Wikswo, John

1997-11-01

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract controls the absorption and transport of ingested materials. Its function is determined largely by the electrical activity of the smooth muscle that lines the GI tract. GI electrical activity consists of an omnipresent slowly oscillating wave known as the basic electrical rhythm (BER) that modulates a higher-frequency spiking activity associated with muscle contraction. The BER has been shown to be a reliable indicator of intestinal viability, and thus, recording of smooth muscle activity may have clinical value. The BER is difficult to measure with cutaneous electrodes because layers of low-conductivity fat between the GI tract and the abdominal surface attenuate the potential. On the other hand, the magnetic field associated with GI electrical activity is mostly unaffected by intervening fat layers. We recorded the magnetic fields from GI activity in 12 volunteers using a multichannel Superconducting QUantum Interference Device (SQUID) magnetometer. Characteristics typical of gastric and intestinal BER were apparent in the data. Channels near the epigastrium recorded gastric BER, and channels in intestinal areas recorded small bowel BER. These results suggest that a single multichannel SQUID magnetometer is able to measure gastrointestinal electrical activity from multiple locations around the abdomen simultaneously.

SQUID magnetometry from nanometer to centimeter length scales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hatridge, Michael Jonathan

Information stored in magnetic fields plays an important role in everyday life. This information exists over a remarkably wide range of sizes, so that magnetometry at a variety of length scales can extract useful information. Examples at centimeter to millimeter length scales include measurement of spatial and temporal character of fields generated in the human brain and heart, and active manipulation of spins in the human body for non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). At micron length scales, magnetometry can be used to measure magnetic objects such as flux qubits; at nanometer length scales it can be used to study individual magnetic domains, and even individual spins. The development of Superconducting QUantum Interference Device (SQUID) based magnetometer for two such applications, in vivo prepolarized, ultra-low field MRI of humans and dispersive readout of SQUIDs for micro- and nanoscale magnetometry, are the focus of this thesis. Conventional MRI has developed into a powerful clinical tool for imaging the human body. This technique is based on nuclear magnetic resonance of protons with the addition application of three-dimensional magnetic field gradients to encode spatial information. Most clinical MRI systems involve magnetic fields generated by superconducting magnets, and the current trend is to higher magnetic fields than the widely used 1.5-T systems. Nonetheless, there is ongoing interest in the development of less expensive imagers operating at lower fields. The prepolarized, SQUID detected ultra-low field MRI (ULF MRI) developed by the Clarke group allows imaging in very weak fields (typically 132 muT, corresponding to a resonant frequency of 5.6 kHz). At these low field strengths, there is enhanced contrast in the longitudinal relaxation time of various tissue types, enabling imaging of objects which are not visible to conventional MRI, for instance prostate cancer. We are currently investigating the contrast between normal and cancerous prostate tissue in ex vivo prostate specimens in collaboration with the UCSF Genitourinary Oncology/Prostate SPORE Tissue Core. In characterizing pairs of nominally normal and cancerous tissue, we measure a marked difference in the longitudinal relaxation times, with an average value of cancerous tissue 0.66 times shorter than normal prostate tissue. However, in vivo imaging is required to definitively demonstrate the feasibility of ULF MR imaging of prostate cancer. To that end, we have worked to improve the performance of the system to facilitate human imaging. This is accomplished by increasing the prepolarizing field amplitude, and minimizing magnetic noise in the SQUID detector. We have achieved polarizing fields as high as 150 mT and SQUID effective field noise below 1 fT Hz-1/2, enabling us to demonstrate proof-of-principle in vivo images of the human forearm with 2 x 2 x 10 mm3 resolution in 6 minutes. On a much smaller spatial scale, there is currently fundamental and technological interest in measuring and manipulating nanoscale magnets, particularly in the quantum coherent regime. The observation of the dynamics of such systems requires a magnetometer with not only exceptional sensitivity but also high gain, wide bandwidth and low backaction. We demonstrate a dispersive magnetometer consisting of a two-junction SQUID in parallel with an integrated, lumped-element capacitor. Input flux signals are encoded as a phase modulation of the microwave drive tone applied to the magnetometer, resulting in a single quadrature voltage signal. For strong drive power, the nonlinearity of the resonator results in quantum limited, phase sensitive parametric amplification of this signal. We have achieved a bandwidth of 20 MHz---approximately two orders of magnitude higher than dispersive devices of comparable sensitivity---with an effective flux noise of 0.29 muphi0 Hz-12 . This performance is in excellent agreement with our theoretical model.

Effect of Selective Co Addition on Magnetic Properties of Nd2(FeCo)14B/alpha-Fe Nanocomposite Magnets

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-12-13

pressure of ∼2.5 GPa. The final bulk magnets having dimensions Ø6 mm × 1.5 mm were characterized for morphology and the crystalline structure using scanning... Magnetic properties were measured with a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer with a maximum applied field of 70 kOe. To...calculate the true energy product (BH)max of the bulk sample, we determined the demagnetization factor experimentally as described in [9]. Figure 1 shows

Achieving High Sensitivity in Cavity Optomechanical Magnetometry

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-03-08

magnetometers, but with microwatts of power consumption, and without the need for cryogenics. This project was to implement magnetometers at both micro- and...state-of-the-art in SQUID magnetometers, but with microwatts of power consumption, and without the need for cryogenics. This project was to implement...microwatts  of   power   and  at  room  temperature.  This  first  year  of  the  project  fabricated  new  magnetometer

SQUID use for Geophysics: finding billions of dollars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Foley, Catherine

2014-03-01

Soon after their discovery, Jim Zimmerman saw the potential of using Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices, SQUIDs, for the study of Geophysics and undertook experiments to understand the magnetic phenomena of the Earth. However his early experiments were not successful. Nevertheless up to the early 1980's, some research effort in the use of SQUIDs for geophysics continued and many ideas of how you could use SQUIDs evolved. Their use was not adopted by the mining industry at that time for a range of reasons. The discovery of high temperature superconductors started a reinvigoration in the interest to use SQUIDs for mineral exploration. Several groups around the world worked with mining companies to develop both liquid helium and nitrogen cooled systems. The realisation of the achievable sensitivity that contributed to successful mineral discoveries and delineation led to real financial returns for miners. By the mid 2000's, SQUID systems for geophysics were finally being offered for sale by several start-up companies. This talk will tell the story of SQUID use in geophysics. It will start with the early work of the SQUID pioneers including that of Jim Zimmerman and John Clarke and will also cover the development since the early 1990's up to today of a number of magnetometers and gradiometers that have been successfully commercialised and used to create significant impact in the global resources industry. The talk will also cover some of the critical technical challenges that had to be overcome to succeed. It will focus mostly on magnetically unshielded systems used in the field although some laboratory-based systems will be discussed.

Compatibility of photomultiplier tube operation with SQUIDs for a neutron EDM experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Libersky, Matthew; nEDM Collaboration

2013-10-01

An experiment at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory with the goal of reducing the experimental limit on the electric dipole moment (EDM) of the neutron will measure the precession frequencies of neutrons when a strong electric field is applied parallel and anti-parallel to a weak magnetic field. A difference in these frequencies would indicate a nonzero neutron EDM. To correct for drifts of the magnetic field in the measurement volume, polarized 3He will be used as a co-magnetometer. In one of the two methods built into the apparatus, superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) will be used to read out the 3He magnetization. Photomultiplier tubes will be used concurrently to measure scintillation light from neutron capture by 3He. However, the simultaneous noise-sensitive magnetic field measurement by the SQUIDs makes conventional PMT operation problematic due to the alternating current involved in generating the high voltages needed. Tests were carried out at Los Alamos National Laboratory to study the compatibility of simultaneous SQUID and PMT operation, using a custom battery-powered high-voltage power supply developed by Meyer and Smith (NIM A 647.1) to operate the PMT. The results of these tests will be presented.

A Practical HTS SQUID Magnetometer System for NDI of Aircraft

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-01-10

based on present-day high Tc SQUIDs is feasible, and present a portable design cooled by a miniature cryocooler . In addition, a reevaluation of the basic...integration of this cryocooler with SQUIDs, is that there is no available electromagnetic field emission information. We did not find any for other types ...background signals. Third, there are several other types of cryocoolers , integrated or split, made of plastics available on the market. They will

Magnetic Sensors with Picotesla Magnetic Field Sensitivity at Room Temperature

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-06-01

such small fields require cryogenic cooling such as SQUID sensors, require sophisticated detection systems such as atomic magnetometers and fluxgate ... magnetometers , or have large size and poor low frequency performance such as coil systems. [3-7] The minimum detectable field (the field noise times...Kingdon, "Development of a Combined EMI/ Magnetometer Sensor for UXO Detection," Proc. Symposium on the Applications of Geophysics to Environmental and

Conductivity tomography based on pulsed eddy current with SQUID magnetometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panaitov, G. I.; Krause, H.-J.; Zhang, Y.

2002-05-01

Pulsed eddy current (EC) techniques have the advantage of potentially covering a broader depth range than standard single frequency EC testing. We developed a novel pulsed EC technique using a liquid-nitrogen cooled SQUID magnetometer. For two reasons, SQUID magnetometers are particularly well suited as sensors: first they constitute an extremely sensitive magnetic field sensor, second they measure the field directly which decays more slowly than its time derivative picked up by induction coils. A square waveform transmitter signal was used, with alternating slopes in order to eliminate drift effect, and stacking synchronous to the power line frequency in order to improve signal-to-noise. The early time (high frequency) data of the recorded transient correspond to the upper layers of the conducting medium, while late time data or low frequencies deliver information on deep layers. Measurements of cracks at different depths in a stacked aluminum sample are presented. From the measured data, the apparent conductivity of the sample was calculated for each position and depth by applying a technique known from geophysical data interpretation. Thus, the position and depth of the crack was determined from the tomographic conductivity image of the sample.

Recent achievements in MgB 2 physics and applications: A large-area SQUID magnetometer and point-contact spectroscopy measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gonnelli, R. S.; Daghero, D.; Calzolari, A.; Ummarino, G. A.; Tortello, M.; Stepanov, V. A.; Zhigadlo, N. D.; Rogacki, K.; Karpinski, J.; Portesi, C.; Monticone, E.; Mijatovic, D.; Veldhuis, D.; Brinkman, A.

2006-03-01

In the first part of the present paper we discuss the fabrication and the characterization of an MgB2-based SQUID magnetometer with a directly coupled large-area pick-up loop, made on an MgB2 film deposited by an all in situ technique. The coarse structure of the SQUID was defined by optical lithography and Ar-ion milling, while the two nanobridges acting as weak links in the superconducting loop were made by focused ion beam (FIB) milling. The device was characterized at different temperatures and showed Josephson quantum interference up to 20 K as well as a noise level already compatible with the recording of an adult magnetocardiogram. In the second part, concerning the fundamental physics of MgB2, we present the results of very recent point-contact measurements on Mg1-xMnxB2 single crystals with 34.1 ⩾ Tc ⩾ 13.3 K (i.e. 0.37% ⩽ x ⩽ 1.5%). The experimental conductance curves were fitted with the generalized two-band BTK model and their behaviour in magnetic fields was studied to check if both the order parameters (OPs) of the σ and π bands were present in the whole doping range. The dependence of the OPs (evaluated through the fit) on the Andreev critical temperature of the junctions is analyzed in the framework of the two-band Eliashberg theory by including the effects of magnetic impurities. The results give an evidence of a dominant effect of the magnetic impurities on the σ-band channel.

High-T(c) squid application in medicine and geophysics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Polushkin, V. N.; Uchaikin, S. V.; Vasiliev, B. V.

1991-01-01

In our laboratory of high-T(sub c), a one-hole squid was built from Y1Ba2Cu3O(7-x) ceramics obtained by a standard procedure of solid state reaction. The ceramics with critical current density J(sub c) is greater than 100 A/sq cm was selected. In the middle of a 10 x 10 x 2 mm ceramics pellet, a 0.8 mm hole was drilled in which the superconducting loop of the squid was located. Between the hole and the edge of the pellet, a cut was mechanically filed out with a bridge inside it connecting the superconducting ring. A scheme of the magnetometer is presented. The resonant frequency shift of the tank circuit, the connection of the squid with this circuit, and the squid inductance are evaluated. One of the most interesting fields of the squid-based magnetometer application is biomagnetism, particularly, the human heart magnetocardiogram measuring. The low-temperature squids were used in this area and many interesting and important scientific results have been obtained. The observations have shown that the main noise contribution was not due to the squid but to the Earth's magnetic field variations, industrial inductions, and mainly to the vibrations caused by liquid nitrogen boiling and by vibrations of the box. Further attempts are needed to reduce the magnetic noise inductions. Nevertheless, the estimations promise the maximum signal/noise relation of the high-T(sub c) squid-magnetocardiometer to be not less than 10:1 in a bandwidth of 60 Hz. Apparently, such resolution would be enough not only for steady cardiogram reading but even for thin structure investigation at average technique application.

High-T(sub c) squid application in medicine and geophysics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Polushkin, V. N.; Uchaikin, S. V.; Vasiliev, B. V.

1990-01-01

In the Laboratory a high-T(sub c) one-hole squid was built from Y1Ba2Cu3O(7-x) ceramics obtained by a standard procedure of solid state reaction. The ceramics with critical current density J(sub c) is greater than 100 A/sq cm was selected. In the middle of 10 x 10 x 2 mm ceramics pellet a 0.8 mm hole was drilled in which superconducting loop of the squid was located. Between the hole and the edge of the pellet a cut was mechanically filed out with a bridge inside it connecting the superconducting ring. A scheme of the magnetometer is presented. The resonant frequency shift of the tank circuit, the connection of the squid with this circuit, and the squid inductance are evaluated. One of the most interesting fields of the squid-based magnetometer application is biomagnetism, particularly, the human heart magnetocardiogram measuring. The low-temperature squids were used in this area and many interesting and important scientific results have been obtained. The observations have shown that the main noise contribution was not due to the squid but to the Earth's magnetic field variations, industrial inductions, and mainly to the vibrations caused by liquid nitrogen boiling and by vibrations of the box. Further attempts are needed to reduce the magnetic noise inductions. Nevertheless, the estimations promise the maximum signal/noise relation of the high-T(sub c) squid-magnetocardiometer to be not less than 10:1 in a bandwidth of 60 Hz. Apparently, such resolution would be enough not only for steady cardiogram reading but even for thin structure investigation at average technique application.

Design of Cryocoolers for Microwatt Superconducting Devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zimmerman, J. E.

1985-01-01

The primary applications of the cryocoolers are for cooling various Josephson devices such as SQUID magnetometers and amplifiers, voltage standards, and microwave mixers and detectors. The common feature of these devices is their extremely low inherent bias power requirement, of the order of 10/1 W per junction. This provides the possibility of designing compact, low-power cryocoolers for these applications. Several concepts were explored and a number of laboratory model cryocoolers were built. These include low-power nonmagnetic regenerative machines of the Stirling or Gifford-McMahon type, three or four-stage Joule-Thomson machines, liquid-helium dewars with integral small cryocoolers to reduce the evaporation rate, and liquid-helium dewars with integral continuously or intermittently operated small helium liquefiers to permit operation of cryogenic devices for indefinite time periods.

Metallic Contaminant Detection using a High-Temperature Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices Gradiometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saburo, Tanaka; Tomohiro, Akai; Makoto, Takemoto; Yoshimi, Hatsukade; Takeyoshi, Ohtani; Yoshio, Ikeda; Shuichi, Suzuki

2010-08-01

We develop magnetic metallic contaminant detectors using high-temperature superconducting quantum interference devices (HTS-SQUIDs) for industrial products. Finding ultra-small metallic contaminants is an important issue for manufacturers producing commercial products such as lithium ion batteries. If such contaminants cause damages, the manufacturer of the product suffers a big financial loss due to having to recall the faulty products. Previously, we described a system for finding such ultra-small particles in food. In this study, we describe further developments of the system, for the reduction of the effect of the remnant field of the products, and we test the parallel magnetization of the products to generate the remnant field only at both ends of the products. In addition, we use an SQUID gradiometer in place of the magnetometer to reduce the edge effect by measuring the magnetic field gradient. We test the performances of the system and find that tiny iron particles as small as 50 × 50 μm2 on the electrode of a lithium ion battery could be clearly detected. This detection level is difficult to achieve when using other methods.

Performance of a novel SQUID-based superconducting imaging-surface magnetoencephalography system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kraus, R. H.; Volegov, P.; Maharajh, K.; Espy, M. A.; Matlashov, A. N.; Flynn, E. R.

2002-03-01

Performance for a recently completed whole-head magnetoencephalography system using a superconducting imaging surface (SIS) surrounding an array of 150 SQUID magnetometers is reported. The helmet-like SIS is hemispherical in shape with a brim. Conceptually, the SIS images nearby sources onto the SQUIDs while shielding sensors from distant “noise” sources. A finite element method (FEM) description using the as-built geometry was developed to describe the SIS effect on source fields by imposing B⊥( surface)=0 . Sensors consist of 8×8 mm 2 SQUID magnetometers with 0.84 nT/ Φ0 sensitivity and <3 fT/ Hz noise. A series of phantom experiments to verify system efficacy have been completed. Simple dry-wire phantoms were used to eliminate model dependence from our results. Phantom coils were distributed throughout the volume encompassed by the array with a variety of orientations. Each phantom coil was precisely machined and located to better than 25 μm and 10 mRad accuracy. Excellent agreement between model-calculated and measured magnetic field distributions of all phantom coil positions and orientations was found. Good agreement was found between modeled and measured shielding of the SQUIDs from sources external to the array showing significant frequency-independent shielding. Phantom localization precision was better than 0.5 mm at all locations with a mean of better than 0.3 mm.

Synthesis of BiFeO3 thin films by chemical solution deposition - Structural and magnetic studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Angappane, S.; Kambhala, Nagaiah

2012-06-01

BiFeO3 thin films were deposited on Si (100) substrates by chemical solution deposition. A precursor solution of bismuth acetate and iron acetylacetonate dissolved in distilled water and acetic acid was spin coated on to silicon substrates at ambient conditions, followed by drying and annealing at 650 °C. The films were characterized by XRD and FESEM to study structural properties and morphology. The magnetic properties studied by SQUID magnetometer shows the ferromagnetic nature of the chemical solution deposited BiFeO3 films which are crucial for low cost device applications.

Noise thermometry at ultra-low temperatures.

PubMed

Rothfuss, D; Reiser, A; Fleischmann, A; Enss, C

2016-03-28

The options for primary thermometry at ultra-low temperatures are rather limited. In practice, most laboratories are using (195)Pt NMR thermometers in the microkelvin range. In recent years, current sensing direct current superconducting quantum interference devices (DC-SQUIDs) have enabled the use of noise thermometry in this temperature range. Such devices have also demonstrated the potential for primary thermometry. One major advantage of noise thermometry is the fact that no driving current is needed to operate the device and thus the heat dissipation within the thermometer can be reduced to a minimum. Ultimately, the intrinsic power dissipation is given by the negligible back action of the readout SQUID. For thermometry in low-temperature experiments, current noise thermometers and magnetic flux fluctuation thermometers have proved to be most suitable. To make use of such thermometers at ultra-low temperatures, we have developed a cross-correlation technique that reduces the amplifier noise contribution to a negligible value. For this, the magnetic flux fluctuations caused by the Brownian motion of the electrons in our noise source are measured inductively by two DC-SQUID magnetometers simultaneously and the signals from these two channels are cross-correlated. Experimentally, we have characterized a thermometer made of a cold-worked high-purity copper cylinder with a diameter of 5 mm and a length of 20 mm for temperatures between 42 μK and 0.8 K. For a given temperature, a measuring time below 1 min is sufficient to reach a precision of better than 1%. The extremely low power dissipation in the thermometer allows continuous operation without heating effects. © 2016 The Author(s).

US Navy superconductivity program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gubser, Donald U.

1991-01-01

Both the new high temperature superconductors (HTS) and the low temperature superconductors (LTS) are important components of the Navy's total plan to integrate superconductivity into field operational systems. Fundamental research is an important component of the total Navy program and focuses on the HTS materials. Power applications (ship propulsion) use LTS materials while space applications (millimeter wave electronics) use HTS materials. The Space Experiment to be conducted at NRL will involve space flight testing of HTS devices built by industry and will demonstrate the ability to engineer and space qualify these devices for systems use. Another important component of the Navy's effort is the development of Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) magnetometers. This program will use LTS materials initially, but plans to implement HTS materials as soon as possible. Hybrid HTS/LTS systems are probable in many applications. A review of the status of the Navy's HTS materials research is given as well as an update on the Navy's development efforts in superconductivity.

Modeling of micro thrusters for gravity probe B

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, Kenneth M.

1996-01-01

The concept of testing Einstein's general theory of relativity by means of orbiting gyroscopes was first proposed in 1959, which lead to the development of the Gravity Probe B experiment. Einstein's theory concerns the predictions of the relativistic precession of a gyroscope in orbit around earth. According to his theory, there will be two precessions due to the warping of space-time by the earth's gravitational field: the geodetic precession in the plane of the orbit, and the frame-dragging effect, in the direction of earth rotation. For a polar orbit, these components are orthogonal. In order to simplify the measurement of the precessions, Gravity Probe B (GP-B) will be placed in a circular polar orbit at 650 km, for which the predicted precessions will be 6.6 arcsec/year (geodetic) and 42 milli-arcsec/year (frame-dragging). As the gyroscope precesses, the orientation of its spin-axis will be measured with respect to the line-of-sight to Rigel, a star whose proper motion is known to be within the required accuracy. The line-of-sight to Rigel will be established using a telescope, and the orientation of the gyroscope spin axis will be measured using very sensitive SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) magnetometers. The four gyroscopes will be coated with niobium. Below 2K, the niobium becomes superconducting and a dipole field will be generated which is precisely aligned with the gyroscope spin-axis. The change in orientation of these fields, as well as the spin-axis, is sensed by the SQUID magnetometers. In order to attain the superconducting temperatures for the gyroscopes and the SQUID's, the experiment package will be housed in a dewar filled with liquid helium. The helium flow through a GP-B micro thruster and into a vacuum is investigated using the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo method.

Forecast of Remote Underwater Sensing Technology.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-07-01

hr T. MAGNETICS (2 Replies) Q. What will be sensitivities of fluxgate , proton, optical pump, SQUID (superconducting) magnetometers ? A. Fluxgate 0.1...ft Oujtpuit Analog, digital and B3CD Cost $65.K 227 Manu factu rer EG&G Geometric Unit G-806M System Marine Search Proton Magnetometer Sensitivity...optional) Depth Range 0 to 100 m or 6000 m Precision +0.15% FS Time Constant 60 ms Output Digital display, analog and digital BCD output Cost $13.K 243

A high- Tc SQUID-based sensor head cooled by a Joule-Thomson cryocooler

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rijpma, A. P.; ter Brake, H. J. M.; de Vries, E.; Nijhof, N.; Holland, H. J.; Rogalla, H.

2002-08-01

The goal of the so-called FHARMON project is to develop a high- Tc SQUID-based magnetometer system for the measurement of fetal heart activity in standard clinical environments. To lower the threshold for the application of this fetal heart monitor, it should be simple to operate. It is, therefore, advantageous to replace the liquid cryogen bath by a closed-cycle refrigerator. For this purpose, we selected a mixed-gas Joule-Thomson cooler; the APD Cryotiger ©. Because of its magnetic interference, the compressor of this closed-cycle cooler will be placed at a distance of ≈2 m from the actual sensor, which is an axial second order gradiometer. The gradiometer is formed by three magnetometers placed on an alumina cylinder, which is connected to the cold head of the cooler. This paper describes the sensor head in detail and reports on test experiments.

Survey of Cooling Options for Application in a Low-TC Squid System for Fetal Magnetocardiography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rijpma, A. P.; Uzunbajakau, S.; ter Brake, H. J. M.; Peters, M. J.; Rogalla, H.

2004-06-01

As part of the development of a low-Tc SQUID-based magnetometer system for measuring fetal heart activity, the means of cooling is evaluated. To lower the threshold for the clinical application of this fetal heart monitor, it should be simple to operate. It is, therefore, deemed necessary to replace the liquid helium by a closed-cycle refrigerator. In this paper, the requirements with respect to the cryogenic system are defined. These include operating temperature (4 K), temperature stability (<0.2 K), cooling power (>0.1 W) and requirements on magnetic and mechanical interference. The paper also reviews the most relevant options for the realization of the cryogenic system. After comparison, we selected a 4-K mechanical cooler. To reduce the interference, it is placed at several meters from the magnetometer. The cooling power is to be transferred by circulation of helium.

BabyMEG: A whole-head pediatric magnetoencephalography system for human brain development research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okada, Yoshio; Hämäläinen, Matti; Pratt, Kevin; Mascarenas, Anthony; Miller, Paul; Han, Menglai; Robles, Jose; Cavallini, Anders; Power, Bill; Sieng, Kosal; Sun, Limin; Lew, Seok; Doshi, Chiran; Ahtam, Banu; Dinh, Christoph; Esch, Lorenz; Grant, Ellen; Nummenmaa, Aapo; Paulson, Douglas

2016-09-01

We developed a 375-channel, whole-head magnetoencephalography (MEG) system ("BabyMEG") for studying the electrophysiological development of human brain during the first years of life. The helmet accommodates heads up to 95% of 36-month old boys in the USA. The unique two-layer sensor array consists of: (1) 270 magnetometers (10 mm diameter, ˜15 mm coil-to-coil spacing) in the inner layer, (2) thirty-five three-axis magnetometers (20 mm × 20 mm) in the outer layer 4 cm away from the inner layer. Additionally, there are three three-axis reference magnetometers. With the help of a remotely operated position adjustment mechanism, the sensor array can be positioned to provide a uniform short spacing (mean 8.5 mm) between the sensor array and room temperature surface of the dewar. The sensors are connected to superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) operating at 4.2 K with median sensitivity levels of 7.5 fT/√Hz for the inner and 4 fT/√Hz for the outer layer sensors. SQUID outputs are digitized by a 24-bit acquisition system. A closed-cycle helium recycler provides maintenance-free continuous operation, eliminating the need for helium, with no interruption needed during MEG measurements. BabyMEG with the recycler has been fully operational from March, 2015. Ongoing spontaneous brain activity can be monitored in real time without interference from external magnetic noise sources including the recycler, using a combination of a lightly shielded two-layer magnetically shielded room, an external active shielding, a signal-space projection method, and a synthetic gradiometer approach. Evoked responses in the cortex can be clearly detected without averaging. These new design features and capabilities represent several advances in MEG, increasing the utility of this technique in basic neuroscience as well as in clinical research and patient studies.

BabyMEG: A whole-head pediatric magnetoencephalography system for human brain development research.

PubMed

Okada, Yoshio; Hämäläinen, Matti; Pratt, Kevin; Mascarenas, Anthony; Miller, Paul; Han, Menglai; Robles, Jose; Cavallini, Anders; Power, Bill; Sieng, Kosal; Sun, Limin; Lew, Seok; Doshi, Chiran; Ahtam, Banu; Dinh, Christoph; Esch, Lorenz; Grant, Ellen; Nummenmaa, Aapo; Paulson, Douglas

2016-09-01

We developed a 375-channel, whole-head magnetoencephalography (MEG) system ("BabyMEG") for studying the electrophysiological development of human brain during the first years of life. The helmet accommodates heads up to 95% of 36-month old boys in the USA. The unique two-layer sensor array consists of: (1) 270 magnetometers (10 mm diameter, ∼15 mm coil-to-coil spacing) in the inner layer, (2) thirty-five three-axis magnetometers (20 mm × 20 mm) in the outer layer 4 cm away from the inner layer. Additionally, there are three three-axis reference magnetometers. With the help of a remotely operated position adjustment mechanism, the sensor array can be positioned to provide a uniform short spacing (mean 8.5 mm) between the sensor array and room temperature surface of the dewar. The sensors are connected to superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) operating at 4.2 K with median sensitivity levels of 7.5 fT/√Hz for the inner and 4 fT/√Hz for the outer layer sensors. SQUID outputs are digitized by a 24-bit acquisition system. A closed-cycle helium recycler provides maintenance-free continuous operation, eliminating the need for helium, with no interruption needed during MEG measurements. BabyMEG with the recycler has been fully operational from March, 2015. Ongoing spontaneous brain activity can be monitored in real time without interference from external magnetic noise sources including the recycler, using a combination of a lightly shielded two-layer magnetically shielded room, an external active shielding, a signal-space projection method, and a synthetic gradiometer approach. Evoked responses in the cortex can be clearly detected without averaging. These new design features and capabilities represent several advances in MEG, increasing the utility of this technique in basic neuroscience as well as in clinical research and patient studies.

Spin-spin relaxation of protons in ferrofluids characterized with a high-Tc superconducting quantum interference device-detected magnetometer in microtesla fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liao, Shu-Hsien; Liu, Chieh-Wen; Yang, Hong-Chang; Chen, Hsin-Hsien; Chen, Ming-Jye; Chen, Kuen-Lin; Horng, Herng-Er; Wang, Li-Min; Yang, Shieh-Yueh

2012-06-01

In this work, the spin-spin relaxation of protons in ferrofluids is characterized using a high-Tc SQUID-based detector in microtesla fields. We found that spin-spin relaxation rate is enhanced in the presence of superparamagnetic nanoparticles. The enhanced relaxation rates are attributed to the microscopic field gradients from magnetic nanoparticles that dephase protons' spins nearby. The relaxation rates decrease when temperatures increase. Additionally, the alternating current magnetic susceptibility was inversely proportional to temperature. Those characteristics explained the enhanced Brownian motion of nanoparticles at high temperatures. Characterizing the relaxation will be helpful for assaying bio-molecules and magnetic resonance imaging in microtesla fields.

Magnetoencephalographic accuracy profiles for the detection of auditory pathway sources.

PubMed

Bauer, Martin; Trahms, Lutz; Sander, Tilmann

2015-04-01

The detection limits for cortical and brain stem sources associated with the auditory pathway are examined in order to analyse brain responses at the limits of the audible frequency range. The results obtained from this study are also relevant to other issues of auditory brain research. A complementary approach consisting of recordings of magnetoencephalographic (MEG) data and simulations of magnetic field distributions is presented in this work. A biomagnetic phantom consisting of a spherical volume filled with a saline solution and four current dipoles is built. The magnetic fields outside of the phantom generated by the current dipoles are then measured for a range of applied electric dipole moments with a planar multichannel SQUID magnetometer device and a helmet MEG gradiometer device. The inclusion of a magnetometer system is expected to be more sensitive to brain stem sources compared with a gradiometer system. The same electrical and geometrical configuration is simulated in a forward calculation. From both the measured and the simulated data, the dipole positions are estimated using an inverse calculation. Results are obtained for the reconstruction accuracy as a function of applied electric dipole moment and depth of the current dipole. We found that both systems can localize cortical and subcortical sources at physiological dipole strength even for brain stem sources. Further, we found that a planar magnetometer system is more suitable if the position of the brain source can be restricted in a limited region of the brain. If this is not the case, a helmet-shaped sensor system offers more accurate source estimation.

Non-destructive Testing (NDT) of metal cracks using a high Tc rf-SQUID and eddy current method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lu, D. F.; Fan, Chang-Xin; Ruan, J. Z.; Han, S. G.; Wong, K. W.; Sun, G. F.

1995-01-01

A SQUID is the most sensitive device to detect change in magnetic field. A nondestructive testing (NDT) device using high temperature SQUID's and eddy current method will be much more sensitive than those currently used eddy current systems, yet much cheaper than one with low temperature SQUID's. In this paper, we present our study of such a NDT device using a high temperature superconducting rf-SQUID as a gradiometer sensor. The result clearly demonstrates the expected sensitivity of the system, and indicates the feasibility of building a portable HTS SQUID NDT device with the help from cryocooler industry. Such a NDT device will have a significant impact on metal corrosion or crack detection technology.

Measurement of metallic contaminants in food with a high-Tc SQUID

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanaka, Saburo; Natsume, Miyuki; Uchida, Masashi; Hotta, Naoki; Matsuda, Takemasa; Spanut, Zarina A.; Hatsukade, Yoshimi

2004-04-01

We have proposed and demonstrated a high-Tc SQUID system for detecting metallic contaminants in foodstuffs. There is a demand for the development of systems for detecting not only magnetic materials but also non-magnetic materials such as Cu and aluminium in foodstuffs to ensure food safety. The system consists of a SQUID magnetometer, an excitation coil and a permanent magnet. For a non-magnetic sample, an AC magnetic field is applied during detection to induce an eddy current in the sample. For a magnetizable sample, a strong magnetic field is applied to the sample prior to the detection attempt. We were able to detect a stainless steel ball with a diameter of 0.1 mm and a Cu ball less than 1 mm in diameter, for example.

Synthesis, photoluminescence and Magnetic properties of iron oxide (α-Fe2O3) nanoparticles through precipitation or hydrothermal methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lassoued, Abdelmajid; Lassoued, Mohamed Saber; Dkhil, Brahim; Ammar, Salah; Gadri, Abdellatif

2018-07-01

In this work the iron oxide (α-Fe2O3) nanoparticles are synthesized using two different methods: precipitation and hydrothermal. Size, structural, optical and magnetic properties were determined and compared using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) analysis, Superconducting QUantum Interference Device (SQUID) magnetometer and Photoluminescence (PL). XRD data further revealed a rhombohedral (hexagonal) structure with the space group (R-3c) and showed an average size of 21 nm for hydrothermal samples and 33 nm for precipitation samples which concorded with TEM and SEM images. FT-IR confirms the phase purity of the nanoparticles synthesized. The Raman spectroscopy was used not only to prove that we have synthesized pure α-Fe2O3 but also to identify their phonon modes. The TGA showed three mass losses, whereas DTA resulted in three endothermic peaks. The decrease in the particle size of hematite of 33 nm for precipitation samples to 21 nm for hydrothermal samples is responsible for increasing the optical band gap of 1.94-2.10 eV where, the relation between them is inverse relationship. The products exhibited the attractive magnetic properties with good saturation magnetization, which were examined by a SQUID magnetometer. Photoluminescence measurements showed a strong emission band at 450 nm. Pure hematite prepared by hydrothermal method has smallest size, best crystallinity, highest band gap and best value of saturation magnetization compared to the hematite elaborated by the precipitation method.

Non-destructive testing (NDT) of metal cracks using a high Tc rf-SQUID and eddy current method

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lu, D.F.; Fan, C.; Ruan, J.Z.

1994-12-31

A SQUID is the most sensitive device to detect change in magnetic field. A non-destructive testing (NDT) device using high temperature SQUIDs and eddy current method will be much more sensitive than those currently used eddy current systems, yet much cheaper than one with low temperature SQUIDs. In this paper, we present our study of such a NDT device using a high temperature superconducting rf-SQUID as a gradiometer sensor. The result clearly demonstrates the expected sensitivity of the system, and indicates the feasibility of building a portable HTS SQUID NDT device with the help from cryocooler industry. Such a NDTmore » device will have a significant impact on metal corrosion or crack detection technology.« less

Evaluation of realistic layouts for next generation on-scalp MEG: spatial information density maps.

PubMed

Riaz, Bushra; Pfeiffer, Christoph; Schneiderman, Justin F

2017-08-01

While commercial magnetoencephalography (MEG) systems are the functional neuroimaging state-of-the-art in terms of spatio-temporal resolution, MEG sensors have not changed significantly since the 1990s. Interest in newer sensors that operate at less extreme temperatures, e.g., high critical temperature (high-T c ) SQUIDs, optically-pumped magnetometers, etc., is growing because they enable significant reductions in head-to-sensor standoff (on-scalp MEG). Various metrics quantify the advantages of on-scalp MEG, but a single straightforward one is lacking. Previous works have furthermore been limited to arbitrary and/or unrealistic sensor layouts. We introduce spatial information density (SID) maps for quantitative and qualitative evaluations of sensor arrays. SID-maps present the spatial distribution of information a sensor array extracts from a source space while accounting for relevant source and sensor parameters. We use it in a systematic comparison of three practical on-scalp MEG sensor array layouts (based on high-T c SQUIDs) and the standard Elekta Neuromag TRIUX magnetometer array. Results strengthen the case for on-scalp and specifically high-T c SQUID-based MEG while providing a path for the practical design of future MEG systems. SID-maps are furthermore general to arbitrary magnetic sensor technologies and source spaces and can thus be used for design and evaluation of sensor arrays for magnetocardiography, magnetic particle imaging, etc.

Impact of SQUIDs on functional imaging in neuroscience

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Della Penna, Stefania; Pizzella, Vittorio; Romani, Gian Luca

2014-04-01

This paper provides an overview on the basic principles and applications of magnetoencephalography (MEG), a technique that requires the use of many SQUIDs and thus represents one of the most important applications of superconducting electronics. Since the development of the first SQUID magnetometers, it was clear that these devices could be used to measure the ultra-low magnetic signals associated with the bioelectric activity of the neurons of the human brain. Forty years on from the first measurement of magnetic alpha rhythm by David Cohen, MEG has become a fundamental tool for the investigation of brain functions. The simple localization of cerebral sources activated by sensory stimulation performed in the early years has been successively expanded to the identification of the sequence of neuronal pool activations, thus decrypting information of the hierarchy underlying cerebral processing. This goal has been achieved thanks to the development of complex instrumentation, namely whole head MEG systems, allowing simultaneous measurement of magnetic fields all over the scalp with an exquisite time resolution. The latest trends in MEG, such as the study of brain networks, i.e. how the brain organizes itself in a coherent and stable way, are discussed. These sound applications together with the latest technological developments aimed at implementing systems able to record MEG signals and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head with the same set-up pave the way to high performance systems for brain functional investigation in the healthy and the sick population.

Subranging scheme for SQUID sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Penanen, Konstantin I. (Inventor)

2008-01-01

A readout scheme for measuring the output from a SQUID-based sensor-array using an improved subranging architecture that includes multiple resolution channels (such as a coarse resolution channel and a fine resolution channel). The scheme employs a flux sensing circuit with a sensing coil connected in series to multiple input coils, each input coil being coupled to a corresponding SQUID detection circuit having a high-resolution SQUID device with independent linearizing feedback. A two-resolution configuration (course and fine) is illustrated with a primary SQUID detection circuit for generating a fine readout, and a secondary SQUID detection circuit for generating a course readout, both having feedback current coupled to the respective SQUID devices via feedback/modulation coils. The primary and secondary SQUID detection circuits function and derive independent feedback. Thus, the SQUID devices may be monitored independently of each other (and read simultaneously) to dramatically increase slew rates and dynamic range.

Multiple functionalities of Ni nanoparticles embedded in carboxymethyl guar gum polymer: catalytic activity and superparamagnetism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sardar, Debasmita; Sengupta, Manideepa; Bordoloi, Ankur; Ahmed, Md. A.; Neogi, S. K.; Bandyopadhyay, Sudipta; Jain, Ruchi; Gopinath, Chinnakonda S.; Bala, Tanushree

2017-05-01

Composites comprising of metallic nanoparticles in polymer matrices have allured significant importance due to multifunctionalities. Here a simple protocol has been described to embed Ni nanoparticles in carboxymethyl guar gum (CMGG) polymer. The composite formation helps in the stabilization of Ni nanoparticles which are otherwise prone towards aerial oxidation. Further the nanoparticles retain their superparamagnetic nature and catalytic capacity. Ni-Polymer composite catalyses the reduction of 4-Nitrophenol to 4-Aminophenol very efficiently in presence of NaBH4, attaining a complete conversion under some experimental conditions. Ni-Polymer composite is well characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XPS, powder XRD, TGA, SEM and TEM. A detailed magnetic measurement using superconducting quantum interference device-vibrating sample magnetometer (SQUID-VSM) reveals superparamagnetic behaviour of the composite.

RTD fluxgate performance for application in magnetic label-based bioassay: preliminary results.

PubMed

Ando, B; Ascia, A; Baglio, S; Bulsara, A R; Trigona, C; In, V

2006-01-01

Magnetic bioassay is becoming of great interest in several application including magnetic separation, drug delivery, hyperthermia treatments, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic labelling. The latter can be used to localize bio-entities (e.g. cancer tissues) by using magnetic markers and high sensitive detectors. To this aim SQUIDs can be adopted, however this result in a quite sophisticated and complex method involving high cost and complex set-up. In this paper, the possibility to adopt RTD fluxgate magnetometers as alternative low cost solution to perform magnetic bio-sensing is investigated. Some experimental results are shown that encourage to pursue this approach in order to obtain simple devices that can detect a certain number of magnetic particles accumulated onto a small surface such to be useful for diagnosis purposes.

Low Field Squid MRI Devices, Components and Methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hahn, Inseob (Inventor); Penanen, Konstantin I. (Inventor); Eom, Byeong H. (Inventor)

2013-01-01

Low field SQUID MRI devices, components and methods are disclosed. They include a portable low field (SQUID)-based MRI instrument and a portable low field SQUID-based MRI system to be operated under a bed where a subject is adapted to be located. Also disclosed is a method of distributing wires on an image encoding coil system adapted to be used with an NMR or MRI device for analyzing a sample or subject and a second order superconducting gradiometer adapted to be used with a low field SQUID-based MRI device as a sensing component for an MRI signal related to a subject or sample.

Low Field Squid MRI Devices, Components and Methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Penanen, Konstantin I. (Inventor); Eom, Byeong H. (Inventor); Hahn, Inseob (Inventor)

2014-01-01

Low field SQUID MRI devices, components and methods are disclosed. They include a portable low field (SQUID)-based MRI instrument and a portable low field SQUID-based MRI system to be operated under a bed where a subject is adapted to be located. Also disclosed is a method of distributing wires on an image encoding coil system adapted to be used with an NMR or MRI device for analyzing a sample or subject and a second order superconducting gradiometer adapted to be used with a low field SQUID-based MRI device as a sensing component for an MRI signal related to a subject or sample.

Low field SQUID MRI devices, components and methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Penanen, Konstantin I. (Inventor); Eom, Byeong H. (Inventor); Hahn, Inseob (Inventor)

2011-01-01

Low field SQUID MRI devices, components and methods are disclosed. They include a portable low field (SQUID)-based MRI instrument and a portable low field SQUID-based MRI system to be operated under a bed where a subject is adapted to be located. Also disclosed is a method of distributing wires on an image encoding coil system adapted to be used with an NMR or MRI device for analyzing a sample or subject and a second order superconducting gradiometer adapted to be used with a low field SQUID-based MRI device as a sensing component for an MRI signal related to a subject or sample.

Low field SQUID MRI devices, components and methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Penanen, Konstantin I. (Inventor); Eom, Byeong H (Inventor); Hahn, Inseob (Inventor)

2010-01-01

Low field SQUID MRI devices, components and methods are disclosed. They include a portable low field (SQUID)-based MRI instrument and a portable low field SQUID-based MRI system to be operated under a bed where a subject is adapted to be located. Also disclosed is a method of distributing wires on an image encoding coil system adapted to be used with an NMR or MRI device for analyzing a sample or subject and a second order superconducting gradiometer adapted to be used with a low field SQUID-based MRI device as a sensing component for an MRI signal related to a subject or sample.

A high-temperature rf SQUID system for magnetocardiography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, X. H.; Soltner, H.; Selbig, D.; Bode, M.; Bick, M.; Rüders, F.; Schubert, J.; Zander, W.; Banzet, M.; Zhang, Y.; Bousack, H.; Braginski, A. I.

1998-09-01

A first-order axial electronic gradiometer having a baseline of 10 cm was constructed by assembling two 0957-0233/9/9/033/img15 rf SQUID magnetometers with coplanar tank resonators, each having a white magnetic field resolution of about 0957-0233/9/9/033/img16 at 77 K. The gradiometer's near-field resolution was about 0957-0233/9/9/033/img17, including the Dewar flask's noise. A peak-to-peak noise level of 3 pT was obtained in the bandwidth 0.016-250 Hz. Magnetocardiographic (MCG) measurements were performed using this bandwidth. Measurements on human subjects have been conducted in a magnetically shielded room of moderate shielding factor. Using the signal either of the lower magnetometer or of the gradiometer, high-quality heart signal traces could be collected, which were suitable for diagnostic use. A team of physicians, assisted by two of the authors, used the equipment over 10 months to perform MCG measurements in a medical study of about 80 clinical patients with cardiac arrhythmia problems and healthy persons. The system's performance was stable over that whole period.

Magnetization reversal of an individual exchange-biased permalloy nanotube

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buchter, A.; Wölbing, R.; Wyss, M.; Kieler, O. F.; Weimann, T.; Kohlmann, J.; Zorin, A. B.; Rüffer, D.; Matteini, F.; Tütüncüoglu, G.; Heimbach, F.; Kleibert, A.; Fontcuberta i Morral, A.; Grundler, D.; Kleiner, R.; Koelle, D.; Poggio, M.

2015-12-01

We investigate the magnetization reversal mechanism in an individual permalloy (Py) nanotube (NT) using a hybrid magnetometer consisting of a nanometer-scale SQUID (nanoSQUID) and a cantilever torque sensor. The Py NT is affixed to the tip of a Si cantilever and positioned in order to optimally couple its stray flux into a Nb nanoSQUID. We are thus able to measure both the NT's volume magnetization by dynamic cantilever magnetometry and its stray flux using the nanoSQUID. We observe a training effect and a temperature dependence in the magnetic hysteresis, suggesting an exchange bias. We find a low blocking temperature TB=18 ±2 K, indicating the presence of a thin antiferromagnetic native oxide, as confirmed by x-ray absorption spectroscopy on similar samples. Furthermore, we measure changes in the shape of the magnetic hysteresis as a function of temperature and increased training. These observations show that the presence of a thin exchange-coupled native oxide modifies the magnetization reversal process at low temperatures. Complementary information obtained via cantilever and nanoSQUID magnetometry allows us to conclude that, in the absence of exchange coupling, this reversal process is nucleated at the NT's ends and propagates along its length as predicted by theory.

Magnetoencephalography with a Cs-based high-sensitivity compact atomic magnetometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sheng, Jingwei; Wan, Shuangai; Sun, Yifan; Dou, Rongshe; Guo, Yuhao; Wei, Kequan; He, Kaiyan; Qin, Jie; Gao, Jia-Hong

2017-09-01

In recent years, substantial progress has been made in developing a new generation of magnetoencephalography (MEG) with a spin-exchange relaxation free (SERF)-based atomic magnetometer (AM). An AM employs alkali atoms to detect weak magnetic fields. A compact AM array with high sensitivity is crucial to the design; however, most proposed compact AMs are potassium (K)- or rubidium (Rb)-based with single beam configurations. In the present study, a pump-probe two beam configuration with a Cesium (Cs)-based AM (Cs-AM) is introduced to detect human neuronal magnetic fields. The length of the vapor cell is 4 mm, which can fully satisfy the need of designing a compact sensor array. Compared with state-of-the-art compact AMs, our new Cs-AM has two advantages. First, it can be operated in a SERF regime, requiring much lower heating temperature, which benefits the sensor with a closer distance to scalp due to ease of thermal insulation and less electric heating noise interference. Second, the two-beam configuration in the design can achieve higher sensitivity. It is free of magnetic modulation, which is necessary in one-beam AMs; however, such modulation may cause other interference in multi-channel circumstances. In the frequency band between 10 Hz and 30 Hz, the noise level of the proposed Cs-AM is approximately 10 f T/Hz1/2, which is comparable with state-of-the-art K- or Rb-based compact AMs. The performance of the Cs-AM was verified by measuring human auditory evoked fields (AEFs) in reference to commercial superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) channels. By using a Cs-AM, we observed a clear peak in AEFs around 100 ms (M100) with a much larger amplitude compared with that of a SQUID, and the temporal profiles of the two devices were in good agreement. The results indicate the possibility of using the compact Cs-AM for MEG recordings, and the current Cs-AM has the potential to be designed for multi-sensor arrays and gradiometers for future neuroscience studies.

Biosensing Using Magnetic Particle Detection Techniques

PubMed Central

Chen, Yi-Ting; Kolhatkar, Arati G.; Zenasni, Oussama; Xu, Shoujun

2017-01-01

Magnetic particles are widely used as signal labels in a variety of biological sensing applications, such as molecular detection and related strategies that rely on ligand-receptor binding. In this review, we explore the fundamental concepts involved in designing magnetic particles for biosensing applications and the techniques used to detect them. First, we briefly describe the magnetic properties that are important for bio-sensing applications and highlight the associated key parameters (such as the starting materials, size, functionalization methods, and bio-conjugation strategies). Subsequently, we focus on magnetic sensing applications that utilize several types of magnetic detection techniques: spintronic sensors, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) sensors, superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs), sensors based on the atomic magnetometer (AM), and others. From the studies reported, we note that the size of the MPs is one of the most important factors in choosing a sensing technique. PMID:28994727

Squids in the Study of Cerebral Magnetic Field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Romani, G. L.; Narici, L.

The following sections are included: * INTRODUCTION * HISTORICAL OVERVIEW * NEUROMAGNETIC FIELDS AND AMBIENT NOISE * DETECTORS * Room temperature sensors * SQUIDs * DETECTION COILS * Magnetometers * Gradiometers * Balancing * Planar gradiometers * Choice of the gradiometer parameters * MODELING * Current pattern due to neural excitations * Action potentials and postsynaptic currents * The current dipole model * Neural population and detected fields * Spherically bounded medium * SPATIAL CONFIGURATION OF THE SENSORS * SOURCE LOCALIZATION * Localization procedure * Experimental accuracy and reproducibility * SIGNAL PROCESSING * Analog Filtering * Bandpass filters * Line rejection filters * DATA ANALYSIS * Analysis of evoked/event-related responses * Simple average * Selected average * Recursive techniques * Similarity analysis * Analysis of spontaneous activity * Mapping and localization * EXAMPLES OF NEUROMAGNETIC STUDIES * Neuromagnetic measurements * Studies on the normal brain * Clinical applications * Epilepsy * Tinnitus * CONCLUSIONS * ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS * REFERENCES

Principle and experimental investigation of current-driven negative-inductance superconducting quantum interference device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Hao; Liu, Jianshe; Zhang, Yingshan; Cai, Han; Li, Gang; Liu, Qichun; Han, Siyuan; Chen, Wei

2017-03-01

A negative-inductance superconducting quantum interference device (nSQUID) is an adiabatic superconducting logic device with high energy efficiency, and therefore a promising building block for large-scale low-power superconducting computing. However, the principle of the nSQUID is not that straightforward and an nSQUID driven by voltage is vulnerable to common mode noise. We investigate a single nSQUID driven by current instead of voltage, and clarify the principle of the adiabatic transition of the current-driven nSQUID between different states. The basic logic operations of the current-driven nSQUID with proper parameters are simulated by WRspice. The corresponding circuit is fabricated with a 100 A cm-2 Nb-based lift-off process, and the experimental results at low temperature confirm the basic logic operations as a gated buffer.

Theory and application of high temperature superconducting eddy current probes for nondestructive evaluation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Claycomb, James Ronald

1998-10-01

Several High-T c Superconducting (HTS) eddy current probes have been developed for applications in electromagnetic nondestructive evaluation (NDE) of conducting materials. The probes utilize high-T c SUperconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) magnetometers to detect the fields produced by the perturbation of induced eddy currents resulting from subsurface flaws. Localized HTS shields are incorporated to selectively screen out environmental electromagnetic interference and enable movement of the instrument in the Earth's magnetic field. High permeability magnetic shields are employed to focus flux into, and thereby increase the eddy current density in the metallic test samples. NDE test results are presented, in which machined flaws in aluminum alloy are detected by probes of different design. A novel current injection technique performing NDE of wires using SQUIDs is also discussed. The HTS and high permeability shields are designed based on analytical and numerical finite element method (FEM) calculations presented here. Superconducting and high permeability magnetic shields are modeled in uniform noise fields and in the presence of dipole fields characteristic of flaw signals. Several shield designs are characterized in terms of (1) their ability to screen out uniform background noise fields; (2) the resultant improvement in signal-to-noise ratio and (3) the extent to which dipole source fields are distorted. An analysis of eddy current induction is then presented for low frequency SQUID NDE. Analytical expressions are developed for the induced eddy currents and resulting magnetic fields produced by excitation sources above conducting plates of varying thickness. The expressions derived here are used to model the SQUID's response to material thinning. An analytical defect model is also developed, taking into account the attenuation of the defect field through the conducting material, as well as the current flow around the edges of the flaw. Time harmonic FEM calculations are then used to model the electromagnetic response of eight probe designs, consisting of an eddy current drive coil coupled to a SQUID surrounded by superconducting and/or high permeability magnetic shielding. Simulations are carried out with the eddy current probes located a finite distance above a conducting surface. Results are quantified in terms of shielding and focus factors for each probe design.

Quantum information transfer and entanglement with SQUID qubits in cavity QED: a dark-state scheme with tolerance for nonuniform device parameter.

PubMed

Yang, Chui-Ping; Chu, Shih-I; Han, Siyuan

2004-03-19

We investigate the experimental feasibility of realizing quantum information transfer (QIT) and entanglement with SQUID qubits in a microwave cavity via dark states. Realistic system parameters are presented. Our results show that QIT and entanglement with two-SQUID qubits can be achieved with a high fidelity. The present scheme is tolerant to device parameter nonuniformity. We also show that the strong coupling limit can be achieved with SQUID qubits in a microwave cavity. Thus, cavity-SQUID systems provide a new way for production of nonclassical microwave source and quantum communication.

Magnetic characterization of Daphnia resting eggs.

PubMed

Sakata, Masanobu; Kawasaki, Tamami; Shibue, Toshimichi; Takada, Atsushi; Yoshimura, Hideyuki; Namiki, Hideo

2006-12-15

This study characterized the magnetic materials found within Daphnia resting eggs by measuring static magnetization with a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer, after forming two types of conditions, each of which consists of zero-field cooling (ZFC) and field cooling (FC). Magnetic ions, such as Fe(3+), contained in Daphnia resting eggs existed as (1) paramagnetic and superparamagnetic particles, demonstrated by a magnetization and temperature dependence of the magnetic moments under an applied magnetic field after ZFC and FC, and (2) ferromagnetic particles with definite magnetic moments, the content of which was estimated to be very low, demonstrated by the Moskowitz test. Conventionally, biomagnets have been directly detected by transmission electron microscopes (TEM). As demonstrated in this study, it is possible to nondestructively detect small biomagnets by magnetization measurement, especially after two types of ZFC and FC. This nondestructive method can be applied in detecting biomagnets in complex biological organisms.

Scanning SQUID sampler with 40-ps time resolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cui, Zheng; Kirtley, John R.; Wang, Yihua; Kratz, Philip A.; Rosenberg, Aaron J.; Watson, Christopher A.; Gibson, Gerald W.; Ketchen, Mark B.; Moler, Kathryn. A.

2017-08-01

Scanning Superconducting QUantum Interference Device (SQUID) microscopy provides valuable information about magnetic properties of materials and devices. The magnetic flux response of the SQUID is often linearized with a flux-locked feedback loop, which limits the response time to microseconds or longer. In this work, we present the design, fabrication, and characterization of a novel scanning SQUID sampler with a 40-ps time resolution and linearized response to periodically triggered signals. Other design features include a micron-scale pickup loop for the detection of local magnetic flux, a field coil to apply a local magnetic field to the sample, and a modulation coil to operate the SQUID sampler in a flux-locked loop to linearize the flux response. The entire sampler device is fabricated on a 2 mm × 2 mm chip and can be scanned over macroscopic planar samples. The flux noise at 4.2 K with 100 kHz repetition rate and 1 s of averaging is of order 1 mΦ0. This SQUID sampler will be useful for imaging dynamics in magnetic and superconducting materials and devices.

Scanning SQUID sampler with 40-ps time resolution.

PubMed

Cui, Zheng; Kirtley, John R; Wang, Yihua; Kratz, Philip A; Rosenberg, Aaron J; Watson, Christopher A; Gibson, Gerald W; Ketchen, Mark B; Moler, Kathryn A

2017-08-01

Scanning Superconducting QUantum Interference Device (SQUID) microscopy provides valuable information about magnetic properties of materials and devices. The magnetic flux response of the SQUID is often linearized with a flux-locked feedback loop, which limits the response time to microseconds or longer. In this work, we present the design, fabrication, and characterization of a novel scanning SQUID sampler with a 40-ps time resolution and linearized response to periodically triggered signals. Other design features include a micron-scale pickup loop for the detection of local magnetic flux, a field coil to apply a local magnetic field to the sample, and a modulation coil to operate the SQUID sampler in a flux-locked loop to linearize the flux response. The entire sampler device is fabricated on a 2 mm × 2 mm chip and can be scanned over macroscopic planar samples. The flux noise at 4.2 K with 100 kHz repetition rate and 1 s of averaging is of order 1 mΦ 0 . This SQUID sampler will be useful for imaging dynamics in magnetic and superconducting materials and devices.

NanoSQUIDs: Basics & recent advances

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

José Martínez-Pérez, Maria; Koelle, Dieter

2017-08-01

Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) are one of the most popular devices in superconducting electronics. They combine the Josephson effect with the quantization of magnetic flux in superconductors. This gives rise to one of the most beautiful manifestations of macroscopic quantum coherence in the solid state. In addition, SQUIDs are extremely sensitive sensors allowing us to transduce magnetic flux into measurable electric signals. As a consequence, any physical observable that can be converted into magnetic flux, e.g., current, magnetization, magnetic field or position, becomes easily accessible to SQUID sensors. In the late 1980s it became clear that downsizing the dimensions of SQUIDs to the nanometric scale would encompass an enormous increase of their sensitivity to localized tiny magnetic signals. Indeed, nanoSQUIDs opened the way to the investigation of, e.g., individual magnetic nanoparticles or surface magnetic states with unprecedented sensitivities. The purpose of this chapter is to present a detailed survey of microscopic and nanoscopic SQUID sensors. We will start by discussing the principle of operation of SQUIDs, placing the emphasis on their application as ultrasensitive detectors for small localized magnetic signals. We will continue by reviewing a number of existing devices based on different kinds of Josephson junctions and materials, focusing on their advantages and drawbacks. The last sections are left for applications of nanoSQUIDs in the fields of scanning SQUID microscopy and magnetic particle characterization, placing special stress on the investigation of individual magnetic nanoparticles.

Induced electric currents in the Alaska oil pipeline measured by gradient, fluxgate, and SQUID magnetometers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Campbell, W. H.; Zimmerman, J. E.

1979-01-01

The field gradient method for observing the electric currents in the Alaska pipeline provided consistent values for both the fluxgate and SQUID method of observation. These currents were linearly related to the regularly measured electric and magnetic field changes. Determinations of pipeline current were consistent with values obtained by a direct connection, current shunt technique at a pipeline site about 9.6 km away. The gradient method has the distinct advantage of portability and buried- pipe capability. Field gradients due to the pipe magnetization, geological features, or ionospheric source currents do not seem to contribute a measurable error to such pipe current determination. The SQUID gradiometer is inherently sensitive enough to detect very small currents in a linear conductor at 10 meters, or conversely, to detect small currents of one amphere or more at relatively great distances. It is fairly straightforward to achieve imbalance less than one part in ten thousand, and with extreme care, one part in one million or better.

Superconducting Magnetometry for Cardiovascular Studies and AN Application of Adaptive Filtering.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leifer, Mark Curtis

Sensitive magnetic detectors utilizing Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUID's) have been developed and used for studying the cardiovascular system. The theory of magnetic detection of cardiac currents is discussed, and new experimental data supporting the validity of the theory is presented. Measurements on both humans and dogs, in both healthy and diseased states, are presented using the new technique, which is termed vector magnetocardiography. In the next section, a new type of superconducting magnetometer with a room temperature pickup is analyzed, and techniques for optimizing its sensitivity to low-frequency sub-microamp currents are presented. Performance of the actual device displays significantly improved sensitivity in this frequency range, and the ability to measure currents in intact, in vivo biological fibers. The final section reviews the theoretical operation of a digital self-optimizing filter, and presents a four-channel software implementation of the system. The application of the adaptive filter to enhancement of geomagnetic signals for earthquake forecasting is discussed, and the adaptive filter is shown to outperform existing techniques in suppressing noise from geomagnetic records.

Status of the Center for Advanced Microstructures and Devices (CAMD)—2010

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roy, Amitava; Morikawa, Eizi; Bellamy, Henry; Kumar, Challa; Goettert, Jost; Suller, Victor; Morris, Kevin; Kurtz, Richard; Scott, John

2011-09-01

The J. Bennett Johnston, Sr., Center for Advanced Microstructures and Devices (CAMD) is a 1.3 GeV synchrotron-radiation facility owned and operated by the State of Louisiana. Fifteen beamlines provide radiation for CAMD users and cover the spectral range from the far IR to X-rays of ca. 40 keV. Eleven of them receive radiation from bending magnets and four from a 7 T wavelength shifter. A wide range of basic and applied scientific experiments as well as microfabrication are performed at these beamlines. The nanomaterial synthesis and characterization laboratory at CAMD continues to add new instruments such as SQUID magnetometer (Quantum Deign MPMS XL5) and high precision microfluidic-based nanomaterials synthesis equipment complementing already available facilities. We have recently received NSF MRI funding for a multipole 7.5 T wiggler that will become operational in 2012. Generous equipment donations from the University of California at Riverside (Professor Jory Yarmoff) and the University of Bonn (ELSA facility) will provide users with two additional VUV beamlines in the near future.

A phaseonium magnetometer: A new optical magnetometer based on index enhanced media

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scully, Marlan O.; Fleischauer, Michael; Graf, Martin

1993-01-01

An optical magnetometer based on quantum coherence and interference effects in atoms is proposed. The sensitivity of this device is potentially superior to the present state-of-the-art devices. Optimum operating conditions are derived, and a comparison to standard optical pumping magnetometers is made.

Inductance analysis of superconducting quantum interference devices with 3D nano-bridge junctions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Hao; Yang, Ruoting; Li, Guanqun; Wu, Long; Liu, Xiaoyu; Chen, Lei; Ren, Jie; Wang, Zhen

2018-05-01

Superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) with 3D nano-bridge junctions can be miniaturized into nano-SQUIDs that are able to sense a few spins in a large magnetic field. Among all device parameters, the inductance is key to the performance of SQUIDs with 3D nano-bridge junctions. Here, we measured the critical-current magnetic flux modulation curves of 12 devices with three design types using a current strip-line directly coupled to the SQUID loop. A best flux modulation depth of 71% was achieved for our 3D Nb SQUID. From the modulation curves, we extracted the inductance values of the current stripe-line in each design and compared them with the corresponding simulation results of InductEX. In this way, London penetration depths of 110 and 420 nm were determined for our Nb (niobium) and NbN (niobium nitride) films, respectively. Furthermore, we showed that inductances of 11 and 119 pH for Nb and NbN 3D nano-bridge junctions, respectively, dominated the total inductance of our SQUID loops which are 23 pH for Nb and 255 pH for NbN. A screening parameter being equal to one suggests optimal critical currents of 89.6 and 8.1 μA for Nb and NbN SQUIDs, respectively. Additionally, intrinsic flux noise of 110 ± 40 nΦ0/(Hz)1/2 is calculated for the Nb SQUIDs with 3D nano-bridge junctions by Langevin simulation.

Development of a High-Resolution, Single-Photon X-Ray Detector

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seidel, George M.

1996-01-01

Research on the development of a low-temperature, magnetic bolometer for x-ray detection is reported. The principal accomplishments during the first phase of this research are as follows. (1) We have constructed SQUID magnetometers and detected both 122 keV and 6 keV x-rays in relatively larger metallic samples with high quantum efficiency. (2) The magnetic properties of a metal sample with localized paramagnetic spins have been measured and found to agree with theoretical expectations. (3) The size of the magnetic response of the sample to x-rays is in agreement with predictions based on the properties of the sample and sensitivity of the magnetometer, supporting the prediction that a resolution of 1 eV at 10 keV should be achievable.

A YBCO RF-squid variable temperature susceptometer and its applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhou, Luwei; Qiu, Jinwu; Zhang, Xianfeng; Tang, Zhimin; Cai, Yimin; Qian, Yongjia

1991-01-01

The Superconducting QUantum Interference Device (SQUID) susceptibility using a high-temperature radio-frequency (rf) SQUID and a normal metal pick-up coil is employed in testing weak magnetization of the sample. The magnetic moment resolution of the device is 1 x 10(exp -6) emu, and that of the susceptibility is 5 x 10(exp -6) emu/cu cm.

The Saga of Light-Matter Interaction and Magneto-optical Effects Applications to Atomic Magnetometry, Laser-cooled Atoms, Atomic Clocks, Geomagnetism, and Plant Bio-magnetism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Corsini, Eric P.

The quest to expand the limited sensorial domain, in particular to bridge the inability to gauge magnetic fields near and far, has driven the fabrication of remedial tools. The interaction of ferromagnetic material with a magnetic field had been the only available technique to gauge that field for several millennium. The advent of electricity and associated classical phenomena captured in the four Maxwell equations, were a step forward. In the early 1900s, the model of quantum mechanics provided a two-way leap forward. One came from the newly understood interaction of light and matter, and more specifically the three-way coupling of photons, atoms' angular momenta, and magnetic field, which are the foundations of atomic magnetometry. The other came from magnetically sensitive quantum effects in a fabricated energy-ladder form of matter cooled to a temperature below that of the energy steps; these quantum effects gave rise to the superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). Research using atomic magnetometers and SQUIDs has resulted in thousands of publications, text books, and conferences. The current status in each field is well described in Refs. [48,49,38,42] and all references therein. In this work we develop and investigate techniques and applications pertaining to atomic magnetometry. [Full text: eric.corsini gmail.com].

The effect of Nb additions on the thermal stability of melt-spun Nd2Fe14B

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lewis, L. H.; Gallagher, K.; Panchanathan, V.

1999-04-01

Elevated-temperature superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry was performed on two samples of melt-spun and optimally annealed Nd2Fe14B; one sample contained 2.3 wt % Nb and one was Nb-free. Continuous full hysteresis loops were measured with a SQUID magnetometer at T=630 K, above the Curie temperature of the 2-14-1 phase, as a function of field (1 T⩽H⩽-1 T) and time on powdered samples sealed in quartz tubes at a vacuum of 10-6 Torr. The measured hysteresis signals were deconstructed into a high-field linear paramagnetic portion and a low-field ferromagnetic signal of unclear origin. While the saturation magnetization of the ferromagnetic signal from both samples grows with time, the signal from the Nb-containing sample is always smaller. The coercivity data are consistent with a constant impurity particle size in the Nb-containing sample and an increasing impurity particle size in the Nb-free sample. The paramagnetic susceptibility signal from the Nd2Fe14B-type phase in the Nb-free sample increases with time, while that from the Nb-containing sample remains constant. It is suggested that the presence of Nb actively suppresses the thermally induced formation of poorly crystallized Fe-rich regions that apparently exist in samples of both compositions.

Reducing Field Distortion in Magnetic Resonance Imaging

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eom, Byeong Ho; Penanen, Konstantin; Hahn, Inseob

2010-01-01

A concept for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system that would utilize a relatively weak magnetic field provides for several design features that differ significantly from the corresponding features of conventional MRI systems. Notable among these features are a magnetic-field configuration that reduces (relative to the conventional configuration) distortion and blurring of the image, the use of a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer as the detector, and an imaging procedure suited for the unconventional field configuration and sensor. In a typical application of MRI, a radio-frequency pulse is used to excite precession of the magnetic moments of protons in an applied magnetic field, and the decaying precession is detected for a short time following the pulse. The precession occurs at a resonance frequency proportional to the strengths of the magnetic field and the proton magnetic moment. The magnetic field is configured to vary with position in a known way; hence, by virtue of the aforesaid proportionality, the resonance frequency varies with position in a known way. In other words, position is encoded as resonance frequency. MRI using magnetic fields weaker than those of conventional MRI offers several advantages, including cheaper and smaller equipment, greater compatibility with metallic objects, and higher image quality because of low susceptibility distortion and enhanced spin-lattice-relaxation- time contrast. SQUID MRI is being developed into a practical MRI method for applied magnetic flux densities of the order of only 100 T

Paleomagnetism Onboard the IODP Research Vessel JOIDES Resolution: Recent Advances, Best Practices, and Pitfalls

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Acton, G. D.; Morris, A.; Musgrave, R. J.; Zhao, X., , prof; Clement, B. M.; Evans, H. F.; Hastedt, M.; Houpt, D.; Mills, B.; Novak, B.; Petronotis, K. E.

2017-12-01

One of the largest openly available paleomagnetism databases is derived from paleomagnetic data acquired continuously along drill cores collected by the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) and its predecessors. The bulk of data are magnetic remanences measured using superconducting rock magnetometers (SRMs) with automated track systems and in-line alternating field (AF) demagnetization units produced by 2G Enterprises. Our goal in this study is to (1) report on the new SRM that was installed onboard the JOIDES Resolution in December 2016 prior to the start of IODP Expedition 366, (2) consider best practices that may aid shipboard scientists in collecting high quality data, and (3) discuss common pitfalls associated with using an SRM in the shipboard environment to measure a diverse range of lithologies collected in metal core barrels that pass through a relatively strongly magnetized drill string. From a series of tests conducted on the new SRM during a June 11-13, 2017 port call, our main conclusion was that the new magnetometer is functioning as designed. While overall its capabilities are comparable to the previous magnetometer, the new SRM does have several significant advances, including better flux counting, which allows more strongly magnetized rocks to be measured accurately. It also performs AF demagnetizations at high fields (up to 80 mT) without imparting spurious anhysteretic magnetizations, which was a common problem in the old SRM. A worrisome observation, and one that has been made in many shore-based labs, is that devices that emit radio-frequency electromagnetic waves, like actively transmitting cell phones, interfere significantly with SRM measurements. This pitfall will likely have to be addressed on all forthcoming cruises unless better electromagnetic shielding for the SQUID sensors can be found.

A SQUID-based metal detector—comparison to coil and x-ray systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bick, M.; Sullivan, P.; Tilbrook, D. L.; Du, J.; Gnanarajan, S.; Leslie, K. E.; Foley, C. P.

2005-03-01

The presence of foreign metal bodies and fragments in foodstuff and pharmaceutical products is of major concern to producers. Further, hidden metal objects can pose threats to security. In particular, stainless steel is difficult to detect by conventional coil metal detectors due to its low conductivity. We have employed an HTS SQUID magnetometer for the detection of stainless steel particles which is based on the measurement of the remanent magnetization of the particle. Our aim was to determine the detection limits of HTS SQUID-based remote magnetometry, especially for food inspection purposes, and to make a comparison of this technique to commonly used eddy current coil and x-ray inspection systems. We show that the SQUID system's sensitivity to stainless steel fragments is significantly higher than that of coil systems if the samples are magnetized in a 100 mT magnetic field prior to detection. Further, it has a higher sensitivity than x-ray systems, depending on the density distribution of the product under inspection. A 0.6 mg piece of grade-316 stainless steel (a fragment of a hypodermic needle 0.5 mm long and 0.65 mm diameter) represents the detection limit of our system with a 150 × 150 mm2 inspection orifice.

Failure Analysis of CCD Image Sensors Using SQUID and GMR Magnetic Current Imaging

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Felt, Frederick S.

2005-01-01

During electrical testing of a Full Field CCD Image Senor, electrical shorts were detected on three of six devices. These failures occurred after the parts were soldered to the PCB. Failure analysis was performed to determine the cause and locations of these failures on the devices. After removing the fiber optic faceplate, optical inspection was performed on the CCDs to understand the design and package layout. Optical inspection revealed that the device had a light shield ringing the CCD array. This structure complicated the failure analysis. Alternate methods of analysis were considered, including liquid crystal, light and thermal emission, LT/A, TT/A SQUID, and MP. Of these, SQUID and MP techniques were pursued for further analysis. Also magnetoresistive current imaging technology is discussed and compared to SQUID.

Low-noise SQUID

DOEpatents

Dantsker, Eugene; Clarke, John

2000-01-01

The present invention comprises a high-transition-temperature superconducting device having low-magnitude low-frequency noise-characteristics in magnetic fields comprising superconducting films wherein the films have a width that is less than or equal to a critical width, w.sub.C, which depends on an ambient magnetic field. For operation in the Earth's magnetic field, the critical width is about 6 micrometers (.mu.m). When made with film widths of about 4 .mu.m an inventive high transition-temperature, superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) excluded magnetic flux vortices up to a threshold ambient magnetic field of about 100 microTesla (.mu.T). SQUIDs were fabricated having several different film strip patterns. When the film strip width was kept at about 4 .mu.m, the SQUIDs exhibited essentially no increase in low-frequency noise, even when cooled in static magnetic fields of magnitude up to 100 .mu.T. Furthermore, the mutual inductance between the inventive devices and a seven-turn spiral coil was at least 85% of that for inductive coupling to a conventional SQUID.

Charge dissipative dielectric for cryogenic devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cantor, Robin Harold (Inventor); Hall, John Addison (Inventor)

2007-01-01

A Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) is disclosed comprising a pair of resistively shunted Josephson junctions connected in parallel within a superconducting loop and biased by an external direct current (dc) source. The SQUID comprises a semiconductor substrate and at least one superconducting layer. The metal layer(s) are separated by or covered with a semiconductor material layer having the properties of a conductor at room temperature and the properties of an insulator at operating temperatures (generally less than 100 Kelvins). The properties of the semiconductor material layer greatly reduces the risk of electrostatic discharge that can damage the device during normal handling of the device at room temperature, while still providing the insulating properties desired to allow normal functioning of the device at its operating temperature. A method of manufacturing the SQUID device is also disclosed.

Transport characteristics of μ-SQUIDs for probing magnetism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biswas, Sourav; Paul, Sagar; Parashari, Harsh; Winkelmann, Clemens B.; Courtois, Hervé; Gupta, Anjan K.

2018-04-01

We study the transport properties of niobium (Nb) based micron sized superconducting quantum interference devices (μ-SQUID), which are designed to eliminate thermal hysteresis down to 1.3 K. Current-voltage characteristics are non-hysterestic at the lowest temperature. Large voltage oscillations with magnetic field are observed for a wide range of bias currents with good flux sensitivity and reduced flux noise. However, devices with fins and devices on sapphire substrate show hysteresis for wide range of bath temperature. We have also been able to see the sign of magnetic response from a single micron size ferromagnetic permalloy ellipse using the μ-SQUID.

Measurement of the dynamic input impedance of a dc superconducting quantum interference device at audio frequencies

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Falferi, P.; Mezzena, R.; Vitale, S.

1997-08-01

The coupling effects of a commercial dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) to an electrical LC resonator which operates at audio frequencies ({approx}1kHz) with quality factors Q{approx}10{sup 6} are presented. The variations of the resonance frequency of the resonator as functions of the flux applied to the SQUID are due to the SQUID dynamic inductance in good agreement with the predictions of a model. The variations of the quality factor point to a feedback mechanism between the output of the SQUID and the input circuit. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}

Radiofrequency amplifier based on a dc superconducting quantum interference device

DOEpatents

Hilbert, C.; Martinis, J.M.; Clarke, J.

1984-04-27

A low noise radiofrequency amplifer, using a dc SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) as the input amplifying element. The dc SQUID and an input coil are maintained at superconductivity temperatures in a superconducting shield, with the input coil inductively coupled to the superconducting ring of the dc SQUID. A radiofrequency signal from outside the shield is applied to the input coil, and an amplified radiofrequency signal is developed across the dc SQUID ring and transmitted to exteriorly of the shield. A power gain of 19.5 +- 0.5 dB has been achieved with a noise temperature of 1.0 +- 0.4 K at a frequency of 100 MHz.

Enhanced Ferromagnetism in Nanoscale GaN:Mn Wires Grown on GaN Ridges.

PubMed

Cheng, Ji; Jiang, Shengxiang; Zhang, Yan; Yang, Zhijian; Wang, Cunda; Yu, Tongjun; Zhang, Guoyi

2017-05-02

The problem of weak magnetism has hindered the application of magnetic semiconductors since their invention, and on the other hand, the magnetic mechanism of GaN-based magnetic semiconductors has been the focus of long-standing debate. In this work, nanoscale GaN:Mn wires were grown on the top of GaN ridges by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), and the superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer shows that its ferromagnetism is greatly enhanced. Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) reveal an obvious increase of Mn composition in the nanowire part, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and EDS mapping results further indicate the correlation between the abundant stacking faults (SFs) and high Mn doping. When further combined with the micro-Raman results, the magnetism in GaN:Mn might be related not only to Mn concentration, but also to some kinds of built-in defects introduced together with the Mn doping or the SFs.

Adaptive suppression of power line interference in ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging in an unshielded environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Xiaolei; Dong, Hui; Qiu, Yang; Li, Bo; Tao, Quan; Zhang, Yi; Krause, Hans-Joachim; Offenhäusser, Andreas; Xie, Xiaoming

2018-01-01

Power-line harmonic interference and fixed-frequency noise peaks may cause stripe-artifacts in ultra-low field (ULF) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in an unshielded environment and in a conductively shielded room. In this paper we describe an adaptive suppression method to eliminate these artifacts in MRI images. This technique utilizes spatial correlation of the interference from different positions, and is realized by subtracting the outputs of the reference channel(s) from those of the signal channel(s) using wavelet analysis and the least squares method. The adaptive suppression method is first implemented to remove the image artifacts in simulation. We then experimentally demonstrate the feasibility of this technique by adding three orthogonal superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometers as reference channels to compensate the output of one 2nd-order gradiometer. The experimental results show great improvement in the imaging quality in both 1D and 2D MRI images at two common imaging frequencies, 1.3 kHz and 4.8 kHz. At both frequencies, the effective compensation bandwidth is as high as 2 kHz. Furthermore, we examine the longitudinal relaxation times of the same sample before and after compensation, and show that the MRI properties of the sample did not change after applying adaptive suppression. This technique can effectively increase the imaging bandwidth and be applied to ULF MRI detected by either SQUIDs or Faraday coil in both an unshielded environment and a conductively shielded room.

Low noise niobium dc SQUID with a planar input coil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Waal, V. J.; van den Hamer, P.; Klapwijk, T. M.

1983-02-01

A practical all-niobium dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) with a niobium spiral input coil has been developed. The SQUID utilizes submicron Josephson junctions. The best intrinsic energy resolution obtained with a 1-nH SQUID is 4×10-32 J/Hz. A 20-turn 1.2-μH input coil is coupled to a 2.3-nH SQUID with an efficiency of 0.5. The energy resolution with respect to the coil is 1×10-30 J/Hz.

Flux Noise due to Spins in SQUIDs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

LaForest, Stephanie

Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) are currently being used as flux qubits and read-out detectors in a variety of solid-state quantum computer architectures. The main limitation of SQUID qubits is that they have a coherence time of the order of 10 micros, due to the presence of intrinsic flux noise that is not yet fully understood. The origin of flux noise is currently believed to be related to spin impurities present in the materials and interfaces that form the device. Here we present a novel numerical method that enables calculations of the flux produced by spin impurities even when they are located quite close to the SQUID wire. We show that the SQUID will be particularly sensitive to spins located at its wire edges, generating flux shifts of up to 4 nano flux quanta, much higher than previous calculations based on the software package FastHenry. This shows that spin impurities in a particular region along the wire's surface play a much more important role in producing flux noise than other spin impurities located elsewhere in the device.

Experimental Studies of Josephson Effect

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-09-06

to test predictions that macroscopic variables, such as the flux through a SQUID loop, display quantum mechanical properties such as tunneling and...approximately Oo/L as flux quanta enter the loop. In the Josephson junctions used here are lead-alloy tunnel junc- linear region, for I, <<J, the rate...magnetometer. The junctions ln(F)-AU/kT+In(f/2z). (3) used were nominal I x I pm 2 Nb/AI2O3/Nb tunnel junc- As Fig. 3 shows, the observed dependence is in

Fabrication of sapphire-based high performance step-edge HTS Josephson junctions and SQUIDs and their application to scanning SQUID microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ming, Bin

Josephson junctions are at the heart of any superconductor device applications. A SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device), which consists of two Josephson junctions, is by far the most important example. Unfortunately, in the case of high-Tc superconductors (HTS), the quest for a robust, flexible, and high performance junction technology is yet far from the end. Currently, the only proven method to make HTS junctions is the SrTiO3(STO)-based bicrystal technology. In this thesis we concentrate on the fabrication of YBCO step-edge junctions and SQUIDs on sapphire. The step-edge method provides complete control of device locations and facilitates sophisticated, high-density layout. We select CeO2 as the buffer layer, as the key step to make device quality YBCO thin films on sapphire. With an "overhang" shadow mask produced by a novel photolithography technique, a steep step edge was fabricated on the CeO2 buffer layer by Ar+ ion milling with optimized parameters for minimum ion beam divergence. The step angle was determined to be in excess of 80° by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Josephson junctions patterned from those step edges exhibited resistively shunted junction (RSJ) like current-voltage characteristics. IcR n values in the 200--500 mV range were measured at 77K. Shapiro steps were observed under microwave irradiation, reflecting the true Josephson nature of those junctions. The magnetic field dependence of the junction Ic indicates a uniform current distribution. These results suggest that all fabrication processes are well controlled and the step edge is relatively straight and free of microstructural defects. The SQUIDs made from the same process exhibit large voltage modulation in a varying magnetic field. At 77K, our sapphire-based step-edge SQUID has a low white noise level at 3muphi0/ Hz , as compared to typically >10muphi0/ Hz from the best bicrystal STO SQUIDS. Our effort at device fabrication is chiefly motivated by the scanning SQUID microscopy (SSM) application. A scanning SQUID microscope is a non-contact, non-destructive imaging tool that can resolve weak currents beneath the sample surface by detecting their magnetic fields. Our low-noise sapphire-based step-edge SQUIDs should be particularly suitable for such an application. An earlier effort to make SNS trench junctions using focused ion beam (FIB) is reviewed in a separate chapter. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

A cryogen-free ultralow-field superconducting quantum interference device magnetic resonance imaging system.

PubMed

Eom, Byeong Ho; Penanen, Konstantin; Hahn, Inseob

2014-09-01

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at microtesla fields using superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) detection has previously been demonstrated, and advantages have been noted. Although the ultralow-field SQUID MRI technique would not need the heavy superconducting magnet of conventional MRI systems, liquid helium required to cool the low-temperature detector still places a significant burden on its operation. We have built a prototype cryocooler-based SQUID MRI system that does not require a cryogen. The SQUID detector and the superconducting gradiometer were cooled down to 3.7 K and 4.3 K, respectively. We describe the prototype design, characterization, a phantom image, and areas of further improvements needed to bring the imaging performance to parity with conventional MRI systems.

Radiofrequency amplifier based on a dc superconducting quantum interference device

DOEpatents

Hilbert, Claude; Martinis, John M.; Clarke, John

1986-01-01

A low noise radiofrequency amplifier (10), using a dc SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) as the input amplifying element. The dc SQUID (11) and an input coil (12) are maintained at superconductivity temperatures in a superconducting shield (13), with the input coil (12) inductively coupled to the superconducting ring (17) of the dc SQUID (11). A radiofrequency signal from outside the shield (13) is applied to the input coil (12), and an amplified radiofrequency signal is developed across the dc SQUID ring (17) and transmitted to exteriorly of the shield (13). A power gain of 19.5.+-.0.5 dB has been achieved with a noise temperature of 1.0.+-.0.4 K. at a frequency of 100 MHz.

Cosmological flux noise and measured noise power spectra in SQUIDs

PubMed Central

Beck, Christian

2016-01-01

The understanding of the origin of 1/f magnetic flux noise commonly observed in superconducting devices such as SQUIDs and qubits is still a major unsolved puzzle. Here we discuss the possibility that a significant part of the observed low-frequency flux noise measured in these devices is ultimately seeded by cosmological fluctuations. We consider a theory where a primordial flux noise field left over in unchanged form from an early inflationary or quantum gravity epoch of the universe intrinsically influences the phase difference in SQUIDs and qubits. The perturbation seeds generated by this field can explain in a quantitatively correct way the form and amplitude of measured low-frequency flux noise spectra in SQUID devices if one takes as a source of fluctuations the primordial power spectrum of curvature fluctuations as measured by the Planck collaboration. Our theoretical predictions are in excellent agreement with recent low-frequency flux noise measurements of various experimental groups. Magnetic flux noise, so far mainly considered as a nuisance for electronic devices, may thus contain valuable information about fluctuation spectra in the very early universe. PMID:27320418

Cosmological flux noise and measured noise power spectra in SQUIDs.

PubMed

Beck, Christian

2016-06-20

The understanding of the origin of 1/f magnetic flux noise commonly observed in superconducting devices such as SQUIDs and qubits is still a major unsolved puzzle. Here we discuss the possibility that a significant part of the observed low-frequency flux noise measured in these devices is ultimately seeded by cosmological fluctuations. We consider a theory where a primordial flux noise field left over in unchanged form from an early inflationary or quantum gravity epoch of the universe intrinsically influences the phase difference in SQUIDs and qubits. The perturbation seeds generated by this field can explain in a quantitatively correct way the form and amplitude of measured low-frequency flux noise spectra in SQUID devices if one takes as a source of fluctuations the primordial power spectrum of curvature fluctuations as measured by the Planck collaboration. Our theoretical predictions are in excellent agreement with recent low-frequency flux noise measurements of various experimental groups. Magnetic flux noise, so far mainly considered as a nuisance for electronic devices, may thus contain valuable information about fluctuation spectra in the very early universe.

Analytical approximations to the dynamics of an array of coupled DC SQUIDs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berggren, Susan; Palacios, Antonio

2014-04-01

Coupled dynamical systems that operate near the onset of a bifurcation can lead, under certain conditions, to strong signal amplification effects. Over the past years we have studied this generic feature on a wide range of systems, including: magnetic and electric fields sensors, gyroscopic devices, and arrays of loops of superconducting quantum interference devices, also known as SQUIDs. In this work, we consider an array of SQUID loops connected in series as a case study to derive asymptotic analytical approximations to the exact solutions through perturbation analysis. Two approaches are considered. First, a straightforward expansion in which the non-linear parameter related to the inductance of the DC SQUID is treated as the small perturbation parameter. Second, a more accurate procedure that considers the SQUID phase dynamics as non-uniform motion on a circle. This second procedure is readily extended to the series array and it could serve as a mathematical framework to find approximate solutions to related complex systems with high-dimensionality. To the best of our knowledge, an approximate analytical solutions to an array of SQUIDs has not been reported yet in the literature.

Computational and Mathematical Modeling of Coupled Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berggren, Susan Anne Elizabeth

This research focuses on conducting an extensive computational investigation and mathematical analysis into the average voltage response of arrays of Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs). These arrays will serve as the basis for the development of a sensitive, low noise, significantly lower Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) antenna integrated with Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA) using the SQUID technology. The goal for this antenna is to be capable of meeting all requirements for Guided Missile Destroyers (DDG) 1000 class ships for Information Operations/Signals Intelligence (IO/SIGINT) applications in Very High Frequency/Ultra High Frequency (V/UHF) bands. The device will increase the listening capability of receivers by moving technology into a new regime of energy detection allowing wider band, smaller size, more sensitive, stealthier systems. The smaller size and greater sensitivity will allow for ships to be “de-cluttered” of their current large dishes and devices, replacing everything with fewer and smaller SQUID antenna devices. The fewer devices present on the deck of a ship, the more invisible the ship will be to enemy forces. We invent new arrays of SQUIDs, optimized for signal detection with very high dynamic range and excellent spur-free dynamic range, while maintaining extreme small size (and low radar cross section), wide bandwidth, and environmentally noise limited sensitivity, effectively shifting the bottle neck of receiver systems forever away from the antenna itself deeper into the receiver chain. To accomplish these goals we develop and validate mathematical models for different designs of SQUID arrays and use them to invent a new device and systems design. This design is capable of significantly exceeding, per size weight and power, state-of-the-art receiver system measures of performance, such as bandwidth, sensitivity, dynamic range, and spurious-free dynamic range.

Development of a Cryostat to Characterize Nano-scale Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Longo, Mathew; Matheny, Matthew; Knudsen, Jasmine

2016-03-01

We have designed and constructed a low-noise vacuum cryostat to be used for the characterization of nano-scale superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs). Such devices are very sensitive to magnetic fields and can measure changes in flux on the order of a single electron magnetic moment. As a part of the design process, we calculated the separation required between the cryogenic preamplifier and superconducting magnet, including a high-permeability magnetic shield, using a finite-element model of the apparatus. The cryostat comprises a vacuum cross at room temperature for filtered DC and shielded RF electrical connections, a thin-wall stainless steel support tube, a taper-sealed cryogenic vacuum can, and internal mechanical support and wiring for the nanoSQUID. The Dewar is modified with a room-temperature flange with a sliding seal for the cryostat. The flange supports the superconducting 3 Tesla magnet and thermometry wiring. Upon completion of the cryostat fabrication and Dewar modifications, operation of the nanoSQUIDs as transported from our collaborator's laboratory in Israel will be confirmed, as the lead forming the SQUID is sensitive to oxidation and the SQUIDs must be shipped in a vacuum container. After operation of the nanoSQUIDs is confirmed, the primary work of characterizing their high-speed properties will begin. This will include looking at the measurement of relaxation oscillations at high bandwidth in comparison to the theoretical predictions of the current model.

Note: Increasing dynamic range of digital-to-analog converter using a superconducting quantum interference device

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nakanishi, Masakazu, E-mail: m.nakanishi@aist.go.jp

Responses of a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) are periodically dependent on magnetic flux coupling to its superconducting ring and the period is a flux quantum (Φ{sub o} = h/2e, where h and e, respectively, express Planck's constant and elementary charge). Using this periodicity, we had proposed a digital to analog converter using a SQUID (SQUID DAC) of first generation with linear current output, interval of which corresponded to Φ{sub o}. Modification for increasing dynamic range by interpolating within each interval is reported. Linearity of the interpolation was also based on the quantum periodicity. A SQUID DAC with dynamic rangemore » of about 1.4 × 10{sup 7} was created as a demonstration.« less

A cryogen-free ultralow-field superconducting quantum interference device magnetic resonance imaging system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Eom, Byeong Ho; Penanen, Konstantin; Hahn, Inseob, E-mail: ihahn@caltech.edu

2014-09-15

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at microtesla fields using superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) detection has previously been demonstrated, and advantages have been noted. Although the ultralow-field SQUID MRI technique would not need the heavy superconducting magnet of conventional MRI systems, liquid helium required to cool the low-temperature detector still places a significant burden on its operation. We have built a prototype cryocooler-based SQUID MRI system that does not require a cryogen. The SQUID detector and the superconducting gradiometer were cooled down to 3.7 K and 4.3 K, respectively. We describe the prototype design, characterization, a phantom image, and areas ofmore » further improvements needed to bring the imaging performance to parity with conventional MRI systems.« less

Adaptive suppression of power line interference in ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging in an unshielded environment.

PubMed

Huang, Xiaolei; Dong, Hui; Qiu, Yang; Li, Bo; Tao, Quan; Zhang, Yi; Krause, Hans-Joachim; Offenhäusser, Andreas; Xie, Xiaoming

2018-01-01

Power-line harmonic interference and fixed-frequency noise peaks may cause stripe-artifacts in ultra-low field (ULF) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in an unshielded environment and in a conductively shielded room. In this paper we describe an adaptive suppression method to eliminate these artifacts in MRI images. This technique utilizes spatial correlation of the interference from different positions, and is realized by subtracting the outputs of the reference channel(s) from those of the signal channel(s) using wavelet analysis and the least squares method. The adaptive suppression method is first implemented to remove the image artifacts in simulation. We then experimentally demonstrate the feasibility of this technique by adding three orthogonal superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometers as reference channels to compensate the output of one 2nd-order gradiometer. The experimental results show great improvement in the imaging quality in both 1D and 2D MRI images at two common imaging frequencies, 1.3 kHz and 4.8 kHz. At both frequencies, the effective compensation bandwidth is as high as 2 kHz. Furthermore, we examine the longitudinal relaxation times of the same sample before and after compensation, and show that the MRI properties of the sample did not change after applying adaptive suppression. This technique can effectively increase the imaging bandwidth and be applied to ULF MRI detected by either SQUIDs or Faraday coil in both an unshielded environment and a conductively shielded room. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Development of an ultra-high sensitive immunoassay with plasma biomarker for differentiating Parkinson disease dementia from Parkinson disease using antibody functionalized magnetic nanoparticles.

PubMed

Yang, Shieh-Yueh; Chiu, Ming-Jang; Lin, Chin-Hsien; Horng, Herng-Er; Yang, Che-Chuan; Chieh, Jen-Jie; Chen, Hsin-Hsien; Liu, Bing-Hsien

2016-06-08

It is difficult to discriminate healthy subjects and patients with Parkinson disease (PD) or Parkinson disease dementia (PDD) by assaying plasma α-synuclein because the concentrations of circulating α-synuclein in the blood are almost the same as the low-detection limit using current immunoassays, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In this work, an ultra-sensitive immunoassay utilizing immunomagnetic reduction (IMR) is developed. The reagent for IMR consists of magnetic nanoparticles functionalized with antibodies against α-synuclein and dispersed in pH-7.2 phosphate-buffered saline. A high-Tc superconducting-quantum-interference-device (SQUID) alternative-current magnetosusceptometer is used to measure the IMR signal of the reagent due to the association between magnetic nanoparticles and α-synuclein molecules. According to the experimental α-synuclein concentration dependent IMR signal, the low-detection limit is 0.3 fg/ml and the dynamic range is 310 pg/ml. The preliminary results show the plasma α-synuclein for PD patients distributes from 6 to 30 fg/ml. For PDD patients, the concentration of plasma α-synuclein varies from 0.1 to 100 pg/ml. Whereas the concentration of plasma α-synuclein for healthy subjects is significantly lower than that of PD patients. The ultra-sensitive IMR by utilizing antibody-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles and high-Tc SQUID magnetometer is promising as a method to assay plasma α-synuclein, which is a potential biomarker for discriminating patients with PD or PDD.

Superconducting quantum interference device with frequency-dependent damping: Readout of flux qubits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Robertson, T. L.; Plourde, B. L. T.; Hime, T.; Linzen, S.; Reichardt, P. A.; Wilhelm, F. K.; Clarke, John

2005-07-01

Recent experiments on superconducting flux qubits, consisting of a superconducting loop interrupted by Josephson junctions, have demonstrated quantum coherence between two different quantum states. The state of the qubit is measured with a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). Such measurements require the SQUID to have high resolution while exerting minimal backaction on the qubit. By designing shunts across the SQUID junctions appropriately, one can improve the measurement resolution without increasing the backaction significantly. Using a path-integral approach to analyze the Caldeira-Leggett model, we calculate the narrowing of the distribution of the switching events from the zero-voltage state of the SQUID for arbitrary shunt admittances, focusing on shunts consisting of a capacitance Cs and resistance Rs in series. To test this model, we fabricated a dc SQUID in which each junction is shunted with a thin-film interdigitated capacitor in series with a resistor, and measured the switching distribution as a function of temperature and applied magnetic flux. After accounting for the damping due to the SQUID leads, we found good agreement between the measured escape rates and the predictions of our model. We analyze the backaction of a shunted symmetric SQUID on a flux qubit. For the given parameters of our SQUID and realistic parameters for a flux qubit, at the degeneracy point we find a relaxation time of 113μs , which limits the decoherence time to 226μs . Based on our analysis of the escape process, we determine that a SQUID with purely capacitive shunts should have narrow switching distributions and no dissipation.

Magnetic and structural properties of CoFe 2O 4 thin films synthesized via a sol-gel process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

dos S. Duque, J. G.; Macêdo, M. A.; Moreno, N. O.; Lopez, J. L.; Pfanes, H.-D.

2001-05-01

Using a sol-gel process having the coconut water as a precursor of organic chain, we synthesized thin films of cobalt ferrite. The films were characterized by using a SQUID magnetometer, an X-ray diffractometer, an X-ray spectrophotometer, Mössbauer spectroscopy and atomic force microscope. Co ferrite films annealed at 500°C for 2 h show grain sizes between 10 and 20 nm, grown as single-phase spinel structure and exhibit high coercivity and a moderate saturation magnetization (above 30 kOe).

A method for simulating a flux-locked DC SQUID

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gutt, G. M.; Kasdin, N. J.; Condron, M. R., II; Muhlfelder, B.; Lockhart, J. M.; Cromar, M. W.

1993-01-01

The authors describe a computationally efficient and accurate method for simulating a dc SQUID's V-Phi (voltage-flux) and I-V characteristics which has proven valuable in evaluating and improving various SQUID readout methods. The simulation of the SQUID is based on fitting of previously acquired data from either a real or a modeled device using the Fourier transform of the V-Phi curve. This method does not predict SQUID behavior, but rather is a way of replicating a known behavior efficiently with portability into various simulation programs such as SPICE. The authors discuss the methods used to simulate the SQUID and the flux-locking control electronics, and present specific examples of this approach. Results include an estimate of the slew rate and linearity of a simple flux-locked loop using a characterized dc SQUID.

Electron-Tunneling Magnetometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaiser, William J.; Kenny, Thomas W.; Waltman, Steven B.

1993-01-01

Electron-tunneling magnetometer is conceptual solid-state device operating at room temperature, yet offers sensitivity comparable to state-of-art magnetometers such as flux gates, search coils, and optically pumped magnetometers, with greatly reduced volume, power consumption, electronics requirements, and manufacturing cost. Micromachined from silicon wafer, and uses tunneling displacement transducer to detect magnetic forces on cantilever-supported current loop.

Self-assembly approach toward magnetic silica-type nanoparticles of different shapes from reverse block copolymer mesophases.

PubMed

Garcia, Carlos B W; Zhang, Yuanming; Mahajan, Surbhi; DiSalvo, Francis; Wiesner, Ulrich

2003-11-05

In the present study poly(isoprene-block-ethylene oxide), PI-b-PEO, block copolymers are used to structure iron oxide and silica precursors into reverse mesophases, which upon dissolution of the organic matrix lead to well-defined nanoparticles of spheres, cylinders, and plates based on the original structure of the mesophase prepared. The hybrid mesophases with sphere, cylinder, and lamellar morphologies containing the inorganic components in the minority phases are characterized through a combination of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). After heat treatments the respective nanoparticles on mica surfaces are characterized by scanning force microscopy (SFM). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer measurements are performed to demonstrate that the heat treatment leads to the formation of a magnetic gamma-Fe2O3 crystalline phase within the amorphous aluminosilicate. The results pave the way to functional, i.e., magnetic nanoparticles where the size, shape, and iron oxide concentration can be controlled opening a range of possible applications.

Design and development of a magnetometer calibration device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Angelopoulos, S.

2017-12-01

This paper describes the development of a new magnetometer calibration device, which is able to provide accuracy of 1fT/√Hz. The mentioned device is able to eliminate the ambient magnetic field, using an active shielding technique. This can be achieved by the use of a solenoid or a pair of Helmholtz coils. In order to measure the existing magnetic field, it is necessary to develop and use accurate magnetometers with amorphous ribbons as core magnetic materials. The whole system works as a closed-loop system, which is able to control and adjust the produced counter magnetic field.

Development of improved superconductive axial gradiometers for biomagnetic SQUID applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Budnyk, M. M.; Minov, Yu. D.; Lyakhno, V. Yu.; Desnenko, V. A.; Linnik, A. S.; Shopen, O. B.

2018-03-01

SQUID magnetometers for biomagnetic measurements are equipped with superconductive gradiometers which are required to provide a high signal-to-noise ratio at low frequencies, sufficient mechanical strength and sustained performance under repeated thermal cycles, as well as a low level of intrinsic magnetic noise. This paper describes the design of a gradiometer made with a carbon-fiber reinforced composite material for magnetic cardiography measurements. The thermal coefficient of linear expansion (TCLE) of the carbon fiber composite can be precisely adjusted to match that of the superconducting detector coil wire. This is achieved thanks to the difference in the TCLE of carbon fibers in the longitudinal and transverse directions and is realized by varying the laying directions of the fiber in the composite. The data of magnetic susceptibility measurements on carbon fiber composite are reported, showing the magnetic susceptibility about six times smaller than that of graphite. The presented gradiometer design provides a high degree of balancing and is patented along side other specific techniques.

Magnetization and photomagnetic effects in diluted magnetic microcrystalline Cd 1-xMn xTe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, X.-F.; Kotlicki, A.; Dosanjh, P.; Turrell, B. G.; Carolan, J. F.; Jimenez-Sandoval, S.; Lozano-Tovar, P.

1993-12-01

We have investigated the magnetic and photomagnetic properties of microcrystalline Cd 1-xMn xTe prepared by rf sputtering. Magnetization measurements were carried out using an rf SQUID magnetometer in the temperature range of 1.8 to 300 K at various magnetic fields up to 5.5 T. For temperatures above 40 K, the sample showed Curie-Weiss behaviour with a Curie temperature indicating predominantly antiferromagnetic interactions. A spin-glass phase transition was also observed. Photomagnetization measurements were performed using a fibre-optic system. The light was shone onto the sample utilizing an optical fibre and the subsequent change in the magnetization was sensed by the SQUID. Photo-induced magnetization was observed when the sample was illuminated by unpolarized light. Our results enable qualitative and quantitative conclusions to be drawn on the magnetic behaviour and the interplay between optical and magnetic properties of the diluted magnetic microcrystalline semiconductors. PACS: 68.55.Gi; 75.50.Pp.

High temperature superconductor dc-SQUID microscope with a soft magnetic flux guide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poppe, U.; Faley, M. I.; Zimmermann, E.; Glaas, W.; Breunig, I.; Speen, R.; Jungbluth, B.; Soltner, H.; Halling, H.; Urban, K.

2004-05-01

A scanning SQUID microscope based on high-temperature superconductor (HTS) dc-SQUIDs was developed. An extremely soft magnetic amorphous foil was used to guide the flux from room temperature samples to the liquid-nitrogen-cooled SQUID sensor and back. The flux guide passes through the pick-up loop of the HTS SQUID, providing an improved coupling of magnetic flux of the object to the SQUID. The device measures the z component (direction perpendicular to the sample surface) of the stray field of the sample, which is rastered with submicron precision in the x-y direction by a motorized computer-controlled scanning stage. A lateral resolution better than 10 µm, with a field resolution of about 0.6 nT Hz-1/2 was achieved for the determination of the position of the current carrying thin wires. The presence of the soft magnetic foil did not significantly increase the flux noise of the SQUID.

Subranging technique using superconducting technology

DOEpatents

Gupta, Deepnarayan

2003-01-01

Subranging techniques using "digital SQUIDs" are used to design systems with large dynamic range, high resolution and large bandwidth. Analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) embodying the invention include a first SQUID based "coarse" resolution circuit and a second SQUID based "fine" resolution circuit to convert an analog input signal into "coarse" and "fine" digital signals for subsequent processing. In one embodiment, an ADC includes circuitry for supplying an analog input signal to an input coil having at least a first inductive section and a second inductive section. A first superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) is coupled to the first inductive section and a second SQUID is coupled to the second inductive section. The first SQUID is designed to produce "coarse" (large amplitude, low resolution) output signals and the second SQUID is designed to produce "fine" (low amplitude, high resolution) output signals in response to the analog input signals.

Microwave SQUID Multiplexer for the Readout of Metallic Magnetic Calorimeters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kempf, S.; Gastaldo, L.; Fleischmann, A.; Enss, C.

2014-06-01

We have realized a frequency-domain multiplexing technique for the readout of large metallic magnetic calorimeter detector arrays. It is based on non-hysteretic single-junction SQUIDs and allows for a simultaneous readout of hundreds or thousands of detectors by using a single cryogenic high electron mobility transistor amplifier and two coaxial cables that are routed from room-temperature to the detector array. We discuss the working principle of the multiplexer and present details about our prototype multiplexer design. We show that fabricated devices are fully operational and that characteristic SQUID parameters such as the input sensitivity of the SQUID or the resonance frequency of the readout circuit can be predicted with confidence. Our best device so far has shown a magnetic flux white noise level of 1.4 m which can in future be reduced by an optimization of the fabrication processes as well as an improved microwave readout system.

Tracking Electromagnetic Energy With SQUIDs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2005-01-01

A superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) is a gadget used to measure extremely weak signals, specifically magnetic flux. It can detect subtle changes in energy, up to 100 billion times weaker than the electromagnetic energy required to move a compass needle. SQUIDs are used for a variety of testing procedures where extreme sensitivity is required and where the test instrument need not come into direct contact with the test subject. NASA uses SQUIDs for remote, noncontact sensing in a variety of venues, including monitoring the Earth s magnetic field and tracking brain activity of pilots. Scientists at NASA s Goddard Space Flight Center have been making extensive use of this technology, from astrophysical research, to tracking the navigational paths of bees in flight to determine if they are using internal compasses. These very sensitive measurement devices have a wide variety of uses within NASA and even more uses within the commercial realm.

Optical transmission modules for multi-channel superconducting quantum interference device readouts.

PubMed

Kim, Jin-Mok; Kwon, Hyukchan; Yu, Kwon-kyu; Lee, Yong-Ho; Kim, Kiwoong

2013-12-01

We developed an optical transmission module consisting of 16-channel analog-to-digital converter (ADC), digital-noise filter, and one-line serial transmitter, which transferred Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) readout data to a computer by a single optical cable. A 16-channel ADC sent out SQUID readouts data with 32-bit serial data of 8-bit channel and 24-bit voltage data at a sample rate of 1.5 kSample/s. A digital-noise filter suppressed digital noises generated by digital clocks to obtain SQUID modulation as large as possible. One-line serial transmitter reformed 32-bit serial data to the modulated data that contained data and clock, and sent them through a single optical cable. When the optical transmission modules were applied to 152-channel SQUID magnetoencephalography system, this system maintained a field noise level of 3 fT/√Hz @ 100 Hz.

Y1Ba2Cu3O(7-delta) thin film dc SQUIDs (superconducting quantum interference device)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Racah, Daniel

1991-03-01

Direct current superconducting quantum interferometers (SQUIDs) based on HTSC thin films have been measured and characterized. The thin films used were of different quality: (1) Granular films on Sapphire substrates, prepared either by e-gun evaporation, by laser ablation or by MOCVD (metal oxide chemical vapor deposition), (2) Epitaxial films on MgO substrates. Modulations of the voltage on the SQUIDs as a function of the applied flux have been observed in a wide range of temperatures. The nature of the modulation was found to be strongly dependent on the morphology of the film and on its critical current. The SQUIDs based on granular films were relatively noisy, hysteretic and with a complicated V-phi shape. Those devices based on low quality (lowIc) granular films could be measured only at low temperatures (much lower than 77 K). While those of higher quality (granular films with high Ic) could be measured near to the superconductive transition. The SQUID based on high quality epitaxial film was measured near Tc and showed an anomalous, time dependent behavior.

Implementing an ancilla-free 1→M economical phase-covariant quantum cloning machine with superconducting quantum-interference devices in cavity QED

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Long-Bao; Zhang, Wen-Hai; Ye, Liu

2007-09-01

We propose a simple scheme to realize 1→M economical phase-covariant quantum cloning machine (EPQCM) with superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) qubits. In our scheme, multi-SQUIDs are fixed into a microwave cavity by adiabatic passage for their manipulation. Based on this model, we can realize the EPQCM with high fidelity via adiabatic quantum computation.

Gradiometer Using Middle Loops as Sensing Elements in a Low-Field SQUID MRI System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Penanen, Konstantin; Hahn, Inseob; Ho Eom, Byeong

2009-01-01

A new gradiometer scheme uses middle loops as sensing elements in lowfield superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This design of a second order gradiometer increases its sensitivity and makes it more uniform, compared to the conventional side loop sensing scheme with a comparable matching SQUID. The space between the two middle loops becomes the imaging volume with the enclosing cryostat built accordingly.

Scaling behaviour of relaxation dependencies in metaloxide superconductors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sidorenko, A. S.; Panaitov, G. I.; Gabovich, A. M.; Moiseev, D. P.; Postnikov, V. M.

1990-01-01

Superconducting glass state has been investigated in different types of metaloxide ceramics, Y-Ba-Cu-O, Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O, Ba-Pb-Bi-O, using the highly sensitive SQUID magnetometer. The analysis of long-time relaxation processes of thermoremanent magnetization m(sup trm) (+) = M(sub o) - Slnt displayed scaling dependence of the decay rate S = -dM/dlnt on quantity of trapped magnetic flux M(sub o): 1gs = 31g M(sub o) - observed universal dependence S is approximately M(sup 3) (sub o) seems to one of the features of superconducting glass state in metaloxide ceramics.

Francis Bitter National Magnet Laboratory annual report, July 1990 through June 1991

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1991-06-01

The contents include: reports on laboratory research programs--magneto-optics and semiconductor physics, magnetism, superconductivity, solid state nuclear magnetic resonance, condensed matter chemistry, biomagnetism, magnet technology, instrumentation, molecular biophysics; reports of visiting scientists--reports of users of the high magnetic field facility, reports of users of the pulsed field facility, reports of users of the SQUID magnetometer and Mossbauer facility, reports of users of the high field NMR facility; appendices--publications and meeting speeches, organization, summary of high magnetic field facility use, user tables, geographic distribution of high magnetic field facility users, summary of educational activities.

Francis Bitter National Magnet Laboratory annual report, July 1989 through June 1990

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1990-01-01

Contents: Reports on laboratory research programs: Magneto-optics and semiconductor physics, Magnetism, Superconductivity, Solid state nuclear magnetic resonance, Condensed matter chemistry, Biomagnetism, Magnet technology, Molecular biophysics; Reports of visiting scientists: Reports of users of the High Magnetic Field Facility, Reports of users of the pulsed field facility, Reports of users of the squid magnetometer and Mossbauer facility, Reports of users of the high field NMR facility; Appendices: Publications and meeting speeches, Organization, Summary of high magnetic field facility use, User tables, Geographic distribution of high magnetic field facility users, Summary of educational activities.

The design and evaluation of superconducting connectors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Payne, J. E.

1982-01-01

The development of a superconducting connector for superconducting circuits on space flights is described. It is proposed that such connectors be used between the superconducting readout loop and the SQUID magnetometer in the Gravity Probe B experiment. Two types of connectors were developed. One type employs gold plated niobium wires making pressure connections to gold plated niobium pads. Lead-plated beryllium-copper spring contacts can replace the niobium wires. The other type is a rigid solder or weld connection between the niobium wires and the niobium pads. A description of the methods used to produce these connectors is given and their performance analyzed.

Negative inductance SQUID qubit operating in a quantum regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, W. Y.; Su, F. F.; Xu, H. K.; Li, Z. Y.; Tian, Ye; Zhu, X. B.; Lu, Li; Han, Siyuan; Zhao, S. P.

2018-04-01

Two-junction SQUIDs with negative mutual inductance between their two arms, called nSQUIDs, have been proposed for significantly improving quantum information transfer but their quantum nature has not been experimentally demonstrated. We have designed, fabricated, and characterized superconducting nSQUID qubits. Our results provide clear evidence of the quantum coherence of the device, whose properties are well described by theoretical calculations using parameters determined from spectroscopic measurement. In addition to their future application for fast quantum information transfer, the nSQUID qubits exhibit rich characteristics in their tunable two-dimensional (2D) potentials, energy levels, wave function symmetries, and dipole matrix elements, which are essential to the study of a wide variety of macroscopic quantum phenomena such as tunneling in 2D potential landscapes.

Josephson Thermal Memory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guarcello, Claudio; Solinas, Paolo; Braggio, Alessandro; Di Ventra, Massimiliano; Giazotto, Francesco

2018-01-01

We propose a superconducting thermal memory device that exploits the thermal hysteresis in a flux-controlled temperature-biased superconducting quantum-interference device (SQUID). This system reveals a flux-controllable temperature bistability, which can be used to define two well-distinguishable thermal logic states. We discuss a suitable writing-reading procedure for these memory states. The time of the memory writing operation is expected to be on the order of approximately 0.2 ns for a Nb-based SQUID in thermal contact with a phonon bath at 4.2 K. We suggest a noninvasive readout scheme for the memory states based on the measurement of the effective resonance frequency of a tank circuit inductively coupled to the SQUID. The proposed device paves the way for a practical implementation of thermal logic and computation. The advantage of this proposal is that it represents also an example of harvesting thermal energy in superconducting circuits.

Cold SQUIDs and hot samples

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee, T.S.C.

1997-05-01

Low transition temperature (low-{Tc}) and high-{Tc} Superconducting QUantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) have been used to perform high-resolution magnetic measurements on samples whose temperatures are much higher than the operating temperatures of the devices. Part 1 of this work focuses on measurements of the rigidity of flux vortices in high-{Tc} superconductors using two low-{Tc} SQUIDs, one on either side of a thermally-insulated sample. The correlation between the signals of the SQUIDs is a direct measure of the extent of correlation between the movements of opposite ends of vortices. These measurements were conducted under the previously-unexplored experimental conditions of nominally-zero applied magneticmore » field, such that vortex-vortex interactions were unimportant, and with zero external current. At specific temperatures, the authors observed highly-correlated noise sources, suggesting that the vortices moved as rigid rods. At other temperatures, the noise was mostly uncorrelated, suggesting that the relevant vortices were pinned at more than one point along their length. Part 2 describes the design, construction, performance, and applications of a scanning high-{Tc} SQUID microscope optimized for imaging room-temperature objects with very high spatial resolution and magnetic source sensitivity.« less

Symmetry Induced Heteroclinic Cycles in Coupled Sensor Devices

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-01-01

of an array of magnetic sensors. In particular, we consider arrays made up of fluxgate magnetometers inductively coupled through electronic circuits. c...cycle can significantly enhance the sensitivity of an array of magnetic sensors. In particular, we consider arrays made up of fluxgate magnetometers ...IUTAM 5 ( 2012 ) 144 – 150 4. A Cycle in A Coupled-Core Fluxgate Magnetometer 4.1. Modeling In its most basic form, a fluxgate magnetometer

Non-resonant interactions between superconducting circuits coupled through a dc-SQUID

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, X. Y.; Lecocq, F.; Cicak, K.; Kotler, S. S.; Peterson, G. A.; Teufel, J. D.; Aumentado, J.; Simmonds, R. W.

We use a flux-biased direct current superconducting quantum interference device (dc-SQUID) to generate non-resonant tunable interactions between transmon qubits and resonators modes. By modulating the flux to the dc-SQUID, we can create an interaction with variable coupling rates from zero to greater than 100 MHz. We explore this system experimentally and describe its operation. Parametric coupling is important for constructing larger coupled systems, useful for both quantum information architectures and quantum simulators.

Investigation and optimization of low-frequency noise performance in readout electronics of dc superconducting quantum interference device

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhao, Jing; Peter Grünberg Institute; Zhang, Yi

2014-05-15

We investigated and optimized the low-frequency noise characteristics of a preamplifier used for readout of direct current superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs). When the SQUID output was detected directly using a room-temperature low-voltage-noise preamplifier, the low-frequency noise of a SQUID system was found to be dominated by the input current noise of the preamplifiers in case of a large dynamic resistance of the SQUID. To reduce the current noise of the preamplifier in the low-frequency range, we investigated the dependence of total preamplifier noise on the collector current and source resistance. When the collector current was decreased from 8.4 mAmore » to 3 mA in the preamplifier made of 3 parallel SSM2220 transistor pairs, the low-frequency total voltage noise of the preamplifier (at 0.1 Hz) decreased by about 3 times for a source resistance of 30 Ω whereas the white noise level remained nearly unchanged. Since the relative contribution of preamplifier's input voltage and current noise is different depending on the dynamic resistance or flux-to-voltage transfer of the SQUID, the results showed that the total noise of a SQUID system at low-frequency range can be improved significantly by optimizing the preamplifier circuit parameters, mainly the collector current in case of low-noise bipolar transistor pairs.« less

Investigation and optimization of low-frequency noise performance in readout electronics of dc superconducting quantum interference device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Jing; Zhang, Yi; Lee, Yong-Ho; Krause, Hans-Joachim

2014-05-01

We investigated and optimized the low-frequency noise characteristics of a preamplifier used for readout of direct current superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs). When the SQUID output was detected directly using a room-temperature low-voltage-noise preamplifier, the low-frequency noise of a SQUID system was found to be dominated by the input current noise of the preamplifiers in case of a large dynamic resistance of the SQUID. To reduce the current noise of the preamplifier in the low-frequency range, we investigated the dependence of total preamplifier noise on the collector current and source resistance. When the collector current was decreased from 8.4 mA to 3 mA in the preamplifier made of 3 parallel SSM2220 transistor pairs, the low-frequency total voltage noise of the preamplifier (at 0.1 Hz) decreased by about 3 times for a source resistance of 30 Ω whereas the white noise level remained nearly unchanged. Since the relative contribution of preamplifier's input voltage and current noise is different depending on the dynamic resistance or flux-to-voltage transfer of the SQUID, the results showed that the total noise of a SQUID system at low-frequency range can be improved significantly by optimizing the preamplifier circuit parameters, mainly the collector current in case of low-noise bipolar transistor pairs.

Eddy-Current-Based Nondestructive Inspection System Using Superconducting Quantum Interference Device for Thin Copper Tubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hatsukade, Yoshimi; Kosugi, Akifumi; Mori, Kazuaki; Tanaka, Saburo

2004-11-01

An eddy-current-based nondestructive inspection (NDI) system using superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) cooled using a coaxial pulse tube cryocooler was constructed for the inspection of microflaws on copper tubes employing a high-Tc SQUID gradiometer and a Helmholtz-like coil inducer. The detection of artificial flaws several tens of μm in depth on copper tubes 6.35 mm in outer diameter and 0.825 mm in thickness was demonstrated using the SQUID-NDI system. With an excitation field of 1.6 μT at 5 kHz, a 30-μm-depth flaw was successfully detected by the system at an SN ratio of at least 20. The magnetic signal amplitude due to the flaw was proportional to both excitation frequency and the square of flaw depth. With consideration of the system’s sensitivity, the results indicate that sub-10-μm-depth flaws are detectable by the SQUID-NDI system.

Direct current superconducting quantum interference device spectrometer for pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance and nuclear quadrupole resonance at frequencies up to 5 MHz

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

TonThat, D.M.; Clarke, J.

1996-08-01

A spectrometer based on a dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) has been developed for the direct detection of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) or nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) at frequencies up to 5 MHz. The sample is coupled to the input coil of the niobium-based SQUID via a nonresonant superconducting circuit. The flux locked loop involves the direct offset integration technique with additional positive feedback in which the output of the SQUID is coupled directly to a low-noise preamplifier. Precession of the nuclear quadrupole spins is induced by a magnetic field pulse with the feedback circuit disabled; subsequently, flux lockedmore » operation is restored and the SQUID amplifies the signal produced by the nuclear free induction signal. The spectrometer has been used to detect {sup 27}Al NQR signals in ruby (Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}[Cr{sup 3+}]) at 359 and 714 kHz. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Institute of Physics.}« less

Requirements for Coregistration Accuracy in On-Scalp MEG.

PubMed

Zetter, Rasmus; Iivanainen, Joonas; Stenroos, Matti; Parkkonen, Lauri

2018-06-22

Recent advances in magnetic sensing has made on-scalp magnetoencephalography (MEG) possible. In particular, optically-pumped magnetometers (OPMs) have reached sensitivity levels that enable their use in MEG. In contrast to the SQUID sensors used in current MEG systems, OPMs do not require cryogenic cooling and can thus be placed within millimetres from the head, enabling the construction of sensor arrays that conform to the shape of an individual's head. To properly estimate the location of neural sources within the brain, one must accurately know the position and orientation of sensors in relation to the head. With the adaptable on-scalp MEG sensor arrays, this coregistration becomes more challenging than in current SQUID-based MEG systems that use rigid sensor arrays. Here, we used simulations to quantify how accurately one needs to know the position and orientation of sensors in an on-scalp MEG system. The effects that different types of localisation errors have on forward modelling and source estimates obtained by minimum-norm estimation, dipole fitting, and beamforming are detailed. We found that sensor position errors generally have a larger effect than orientation errors and that these errors affect the localisation accuracy of superficial sources the most. To obtain similar or higher accuracy than with current SQUID-based MEG systems, RMS sensor position and orientation errors should be [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively.

Nano Superconducting Quantum Interference device: A powerful tool for nanoscale investigations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Granata, Carmine; Vettoliere, Antonio

2016-02-01

The magnetic sensing at nanoscale level is a promising and interesting research topic of nanoscience. Indeed, magnetic imaging is a powerful tool for probing biological, chemical and physical systems. The study of small spin cluster, like magnetic molecules and nanoparticles, single electron, cold atom clouds, is one of the most stimulating challenges of applied and basic research of the next years. In particular, the magnetic nanoparticle investigation plays a fundamental role for the modern material science and its relative technological applications like ferrofluids, magnetic refrigeration and biomedical applications, including drug delivery, hyper-thermia cancer treatment and magnetic resonance imaging contrast-agent. Actually, one of the most ambitious goals of the high sensitivity magnetometry is the detection of elementary magnetic moment or spin. In this framework, several efforts have been devoted to the development of a high sensitivity magnetic nanosensor pushing sensing capability to the individual spin level. Among the different magnetic sensors, Superconducting QUantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) exhibit an ultra high sensitivity and are widely employed in numerous applications. Basically, a SQUID consists of a superconducting ring (sensitive area) interrupted by two Josephson junctions. In the recent years, it has been proved that the magnetic response of nano-objects can be effectively measured by using a SQUID with a very small sensitive area (nanoSQUID). In fact, the sensor noise, expressed in terms of the elementary magnetic moment (spin or Bohr magneton), is linearly dependent on the SQUID loop side length. For this reason, SQUIDs have been progressively miniaturized in order to improve the sensitivity up to few spin per unit of bandwidth. With respect to other techniques, nanoSQUIDs offer the advantage of direct measurement of magnetization changes in small spin systems. In this review, we focus on nanoSQUIDs and its applications. In particular, we will discuss the motivations, the theoretical aspects, the fabrication techniques, the different nanoSQUIDs and the relative nanoscale applications.

The Hadean to Paleoarchean geodynamo: microconglomerate tests from siliciclastic metasedimentary rocks from the Southern Cross Terrane of Western Australia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cottrell, R. D.; Tarduno, J. A.; Bono, R. K.; Thern, E. R.; Chhibber, S. K.

2016-12-01

Detrital zircons found within metasedimentary rocks of the Yilgarn Craton (Western Austrlia) contain information about the early history of the geodynamo. Recently reported single crystal paleointensity (SCP) values obtained from zircon grains of the Jack Hills (JH) belt (Tarduno et al., 2015) suggest the presence of a core dynamo to times as old as 4.2 Ga. Magnetizations carried by zircons within these rocks have been preserved despite multiple reheating events of the host metasedimentary unit. Two positive conglomerate tests (Tarduno and Cottrell, 2013; Tarduno et al., 2015) as well as interlaboratory studies reproducing a prior positive conglomerate test (Dare et al., 2015; 2016) attest to the primary nature of the remanence carried by these zircons. Moreover, new Li data limit heating after zircon formation to < 500 oC. Similarly, the metasedimentary rocks of the Southern Cross Terrane, more than 400 kilometers away from the Discovery Site of the Jack Hills, contain detrital Eoarchean to Hadean age zircons (Nelson, 2005; Wyche, 2007). Following Tarduno et al. (2015), a micro-conglomerate test of oriented, small ( 500-700 mm) samples centered on single zircons ( 200-350 mm) was performed using the University of Rochester's ultra-high resolution 3-component DC SQUID magnetometer that affords an order of magnitude greater sensitivity than other high-resolution SQUID rock magnetometers. The characteristic remanences from oriented zircons (N=10; R=0.81) that unblock between 565 and 580 °C, consistent with a magnetite carrier, are well defined but together cannot be distinguished from those drawn from a random distribution (Ro=5.03) at the 95% confidence level; this indicates a positive microconglomerate test. Preliminary paleointensity determinations range between 4-27 μT. Additional studies of hand samples from the Southern Cross Terrane are underway.

Compact integrated dc SQUID gradiometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Waal, V. J.; Klapwijk, T. M.

1982-10-01

An all-niobium integrated system of first-order gradiometer and dc suprconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) has been developed. It is relatively simple to fabricate, has an overall size of 17×12 mm and a sensitivity of 3.5×10-12 T m-1 Hz-1/2.

Parasitic effects in superconducting quantum interference device-based radiation comb generators

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bosisio, R., E-mail: riccardo.bosisio@nano.cnr.it; NEST, Instituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, I-56127 Pisa; Giazotto, F., E-mail: giazotto@sns.it

2015-12-07

We study several parasitic effects on the implementation of a Josephson radiation comb generator based on a dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) driven by an external magnetic field. This system can be used as a radiation generator similarly to what is done in optics and metrology, and allows one to generate up to several hundreds of harmonics of the driving frequency. First we take into account how the assumption of a finite loop geometrical inductance and junction capacitance in each SQUID may alter the operation of the devices. Then, we estimate the effect of imperfections in the fabrication ofmore » an array of SQUIDs, which is an unavoidable source of errors in practical situations. We show that the role of the junction capacitance is, in general, negligible, whereas the geometrical inductance has a beneficial effect on the performance of the device. The errors on the areas and junction resistance asymmetries may deteriorate the performance, but their effect can be limited to a large extent by a suitable choice of fabrication parameters.« less

Implementing two optimal economical quantum cloning with superconducting quantum interference devices in a cavity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ye, Liu; Hu, GuiYu; Li, AiXia

2011-01-01

We propose a unified scheme to implement the optimal 1 → 3 economical phase-covariant quantum cloning and optimal 1 → 3 economical real state cloning with superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) in a cavity. During this process, no transfer of quantum information between the SQUIDs and cavity is required. The cavity field is only virtually excited. The scheme is insensitive to cavity decay. Therefore, the scheme can be experimentally realized in the range of current cavity QED techniques.

Novel Approaches to Quantum Computation Using Solid State Qubits

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-12-31

hysteretic DC-SQUIDs, Phys. Rev. B 71, 220509(R) (2005). 18. C.-P. Yang and S. Han, Generation of Greenberger-Horne- Zeilinger entangled states with three SQUID...Horne- Zeilinger entangled states with multiple superconducting quantum interference device qubits/atoms in cavity QED, Phys. Rev. A 70, 062323 (2004

Harmonics distribution of iron oxide nanoparticles solutions under diamagnetic background

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saari, Mohd Mawardi; Che Lah, Nurul Akmal; Sakai, Kenji; Kiwa, Toshihiko; Tsukada, Keiji

2018-04-01

The static and dynamic magnetizations of low concentrated multi-core iron oxide nanoparticles solutions were investigated by a specially developed high-Tc Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) magnetometer. The size distribution of iron oxide cores was determined from static magnetization curves concerning different concentrations. The simulated harmonics distribution was compared to the experimental results. Effect of the diamagnetic background from carrier liquid to harmonics distribution was investigated with respect to different intensity and position of peaks in the magnetic moment distribution using a numerical simulation. It was found that the diamagnetic background from carrier liquid of iron oxide nanoparticles affected the harmonics distribution as their concentration decreased and depending on their magnetic moment distribution. The first harmonic component was susceptible to the diamagnetic contribution of carrier liquid when the concentration was lower than 24 μg/ml. The second and third harmonics were affected when the peak position of magnetic moment distribution was smaller than m = 10-19 Am2 and the concentration was 10 ng/ml. A highly sensitive detection up to sub-nanogram of iron oxide nanoparticles in solutions can be achieved by utilizing second and third harmonic components.

Application of SQUIDs to low temperature and high magnetic field measurements—Ultra low noise torque magnetometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arnold, F.; Naumann, M.; Lühmann, Th.; Mackenzie, A. P.; Hassinger, E.

2018-02-01

Torque magnetometry is a key method to measure the magnetic anisotropy and quantum oscillations in metals. In order to resolve quantum oscillations in sub-millimeter sized samples, piezo-electric micro-cantilevers were introduced. In the case of strongly correlated metals with large Fermi surfaces and high cyclotron masses, magnetic torque resolving powers in excess of 104 are required at temperatures well below 1 K and magnetic fields beyond 10 T. Here, we present a new broadband read-out scheme for piezo-electric micro-cantilevers via Wheatstone-type resistance measurements in magnetic fields up to 15 T and temperatures down to 200 mK. By using a two-stage superconducting-quantum interference device as a null detector of a cold Wheatstone bridge, we were able to achieve a magnetic moment resolution of Δm = 4 × 10-15 J/T at maximal field and 700 mK, outperforming conventional magnetometers by at least one order of magnitude in this temperature and magnetic field range. Exemplary de Haas-van Alphen measurement of a newly grown delafossite, PdRhO2, was used to show the superior performance of our setup.

Light-induced covalent immobilization of monolayers of magnetic nanoparticles on hydrogen-terminated silicon.

PubMed

Leem, Gyu; Zhang, Shishan; Jamison, Andrew C; Galstyan, Eduard; Rusakova, Irene; Lorenz, Bernd; Litvinov, Dmitri; Lee, T Randall

2010-10-01

Specifically tailored ω-alkenyl-1-carboxylic acids were synthesized for use as surfactants in the single-step preparation of manganese ferrite (MnFe2O4) nanoparticles (NPs). Monodisperse manganese ferrite NPs terminated with ω-alkenyl moieties were prepared via a one-pot reaction at high temperature without the need of ligand exchange. Using this approach, simple adjustment of the rate of heating allowed precise tuning of the size of the nanoparticles, which were characterized in bulk form by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). These surfactant-coated magnetic nanoparticles were then deposited onto hydrogen-terminated silicon(111) wafers and covalently anchored to the surface by UV-initiated covalent bonding. Analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed that the UV treatment led to covalent immobilization of the NPs on the silicon surface with a consistent packing density across the surface. The magnetic properties of the stable, surface-bound nanoparticle arrays were characterized using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. The materials and methods described here are being developed for use in bit-patterned ultrahigh density magnetic recording media and nanoscale biomagnetic sensing.

Imaging of current density distributions with a Nb weak-link scanning nano-SQUID microscope

PubMed Central

Shibata, Yusuke; Nomura, Shintaro; Kashiwaya, Hiromi; Kashiwaya, Satoshi; Ishiguro, Ryosuke; Takayanagi, Hideaki

2015-01-01

Superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) are accepted as one of the highest magnetic field sensitive probes. There are increasing demands to image local magnetic fields to explore spin properties and current density distributions in a two-dimensional layer of semiconductors or superconductors. Nano-SQUIDs have recently attracting much interest for high spatial resolution measurements in nanometer-scale samples. Whereas weak-link Dayem Josephson junction nano-SQUIDs are suitable to miniaturization, hysteresis in current-voltage (I-V) characteristics that is often observed in Dayem Josephson junction is not desirable for a scanning microscope. Here we report on our development of a weak-link nano-SQUIDs scanning microscope with small hysteresis in I-V curve and on reconstructions of two-dimensional current density vector in two-dimensional electron gas from measured magnetic field. PMID:26459874

Imaging of current density distributions with a Nb weak-link scanning nano-SQUID microscope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shibata, Yusuke; Nomura, Shintaro; Kashiwaya, Hiromi; Kashiwaya, Satoshi; Ishiguro, Ryosuke; Takayanagi, Hideaki

2015-10-01

Superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) are accepted as one of the highest magnetic field sensitive probes. There are increasing demands to image local magnetic fields to explore spin properties and current density distributions in a two-dimensional layer of semiconductors or superconductors. Nano-SQUIDs have recently attracting much interest for high spatial resolution measurements in nanometer-scale samples. Whereas weak-link Dayem Josephson junction nano-SQUIDs are suitable to miniaturization, hysteresis in current-voltage (I-V) characteristics that is often observed in Dayem Josephson junction is not desirable for a scanning microscope. Here we report on our development of a weak-link nano-SQUIDs scanning microscope with small hysteresis in I-V curve and on reconstructions of two-dimensional current density vector in two-dimensional electron gas from measured magnetic field.

Second order gradiometer and dc SQUID integrated on a planar substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Nieuwenhuyzen, G. J.; de Waal, V. J.

1985-02-01

An integrated system of a thin-film niobium dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) and a second order gradiometer on a planar substrate is described. The system consists of a dc SQUID with eight loops in parallel, each sensitive to the second derivative ∂2Bz/∂x2 of the magnetic field. The calculated SQUID inductance is 1.3 nH. With an overall size of 16×16.5 mm2 a sensitivity of 1.5×10-9 Tm-2 Hz-1/2 is obtained. The measured transfer function for uniform fields perpendicular to the plane of the gradiometer is 2.1×10-7 T Φ-10.

Fluxgate vector magnetometers: Compensated multi-sensor devices for ground, UAV and airborne magnetic survey for various application in near surface geophysics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gavazzi, Bruno; Le Maire, Pauline; Munschy, Marc; Dechamp, Aline

2017-04-01

Fluxgate 3-components magnetometer is the kind of magnetometer which offers the lightest weight and lowest power consumption for the measurement of the intensity of the magnetic field. Moreover, vector measurements make it the only kind of magnetometer allowing compensation of magnetic perturbations due to the equipment carried with it. Unfortunately, Fluxgate magnetometers are quite uncommon in near surface geophysics due to the difficulty to calibrate them precisely. The recent advances in calibration of the sensors and magnetic compensation of the devices from a simple process on the field led Institut de Physique du Globe de Strasbourg to develop instruments for georeferenced magnetic measurements at different scales - from submetric measurements on the ground to aircraft-conducted acquisition through the wide range offered by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) - with a precision in the order of 1 nT. Such equipment is used for different kind of application: structural geology, pipes and UXO detection, archaeology.

Magnetic Sensitivity of AlMn TESes and Shielding Considerations for Next-Generation CMB Surveys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vavagiakis, E. M.; Henderson, S. W.; Zheng, K.; Cho, H.-M.; Cothard, N. F.; Dober, B.; Duff, S. M.; Gallardo, P. A.; Hilton, G.; Hubmayr, J.; Irwin, K. D.; Koopman, B. J.; Li, D.; Nati, F.; Niemack, M. D.; Reintsema, C. D.; Simon, S.; Stevens, J. R.; Suzuki, A.; Westbrook, B.

2018-05-01

In the next decade, new ground-based cosmic microwave background (CMB) experiments such as Simons Observatory, CCAT-prime, and CMB-S4 will increase the number of detectors observing the CMB by an order of magnitude or more, dramatically improving our understanding of cosmology and astrophysics. These projects will deploy receivers with as many as hundreds of thousands of transition edge sensor (TES) bolometers coupled to superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID)-based readout systems. It is well known that superconducting devices such as TESes and SQUIDs are sensitive to magnetic fields. However, the effects of magnetic fields on TESes are not easily predicted due to the complex behavior of the superconducting transition, which motivates direct measurements of the magnetic sensitivity of these devices. We present comparative four-lead measurements of the critical temperature versus applied magnetic field of AlMn TESes varying in geometry, doping, and leg length, including Advanced ACT and POLARBEAR-2/Simons Array bolometers. MoCu ACTPol TESes are also tested and are found to be more sensitive to magnetic fields than the AlMn devices. We present an observation of weak-link-like behavior in AlMn TESes at low critical currents. We also compare measurements of magnetic sensitivity for time division multiplexing SQUIDs and frequency division multiplexing microwave (μ MUX) rf-SQUIDs. We discuss the implications of our measurements on the magnetic shielding required for future experiments that aim to map the CMB to near-fundamental limits.

RAPID COMMUNICATION: DC superconducting quantum interference devices fabricated using bicrystal grain boundary junctions in Co-doped BaFe2As2 epitaxial films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Katase, Takayoshi; Ishimaru, Yoshihiro; Tsukamoto, Akira; Hiramatsu, Hidenori; Kamiya, Toshio; Tanabe, Keiichi; Hosono, Hideo

2010-08-01

DC superconducting quantum interference devices (dc-SQUIDs) were fabricated in Co-doped BaFe2As2 epitaxial films on (La, Sr)(Al, Ta)O3 bicrystal substrates with 30° misorientation angles. The 18 × 8 µm2 SQUID loop with an estimated inductance of 13 pH contained two 3 µm wide grain boundary junctions. The voltage-flux characteristics clearly exhibited periodic modulations with ΔV = 1.4 µV at 14 K, while the intrinsic flux noise of dc-SQUIDs was 7.8 × 10 - 5 Φ0 Hz - 1/2 above 20 Hz. The rather high flux noise is mainly attributed to the small voltage modulation depth which results from the superconductor-normal-metal-superconductor junction nature of the bicrystal grain boundary.

Feasibility study on measurement of magnetocardiography (MCG) using fluxgate magnetometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sengottuvel, S.; Sharma, Akash; Biswal, Deepak; Khan, Pathan Fayaz; Swain, Pragyna Parimita; Patel, Rajesh; Gireesan, K.

2018-04-01

This paper reports the feasibility of measuring weak magnetic fields generated by the electrical activity of the heart using a portable tri-axial fluxgate magnetometer inside a magnetically shielded room. Measurement of Magnetocardiogram (MCG) signals could be successfully demonstrated from a healthy subject using a novel set-up involving a reference fluxgate sensor which simultaneously measures the magnetic fields associated with the ECG waveform measured on the same subject. The timing information provided by R wave peaks of ECG recorded by the reference sensor is utilized to generate trigger locked average of the sensor output of the measurement fluxgate, and extract MCG signals in all the three orthogonal directions (X, Y and Z) on the anterior thorax. It is expected that such portable room temperature measurements using fluxgate sensor could assist in validating the direction of the equivalent current dipole associated with the electrical activity of the human heart. This is somewhat difficult in conventional MCG measurements using SQUID sensors, which usually furnish only the z component of the magnetic field and its spatial derivatives.

SQUIDs: microscopes and nondestructive evaluation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mück, Michael

2005-03-01

SQUIDs (Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices) are magnetic field sensores with unsurpassed sensitivity. They are amazingly versatile, being able to measure all physical quantities which can be converted to magnetic flux. They are routinely fabricated in thin film technology from two classes of superconducting materials: high-temperature superconductors (HTS) which are usually cooled to 77 K, and low-temperature superconductors (LTS), which have to be cooled to 4.2 K. SQUIDs have many applications, two of which shall be discussed in this paper. In SQUID microscopy, a SQUID scans a sample, which preferrably is at room temperature, and measures the two-dimensional magnetic field distribution at the surface of the sample. In order to achieve a relatively high spatial resolution, the stand-off distance between the sample and the SQUID is made as small as possible. SQUIDs show also promising results in the field of nondestructive testing of various materials. For example, ferromagnetic impurities in stainless steel formed by aging processes in the material can be detected with high probability, and cracks in conducting materials, for example aircraft parts, can be located using eddy current methods. Especially for the case of thick, highly conductive, or ferromagnetic materials, as well as sintered materials, it can be shown that a SQUID-based NDE system exhibits a much higher sensitivity compared to conventional eddy current NDE and ultrasonic testing.

Optically pumped quantum magnetometer with combined advantages of M X and M Z devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vershovskii, A. K.; Dmitriev, S. P.; Pazgalev, A. S.

2013-10-01

A scheme of the magnetometer that simultaneously employs M X and M R magnetic resonance signals with the latter signal related to the radial component of the rotating atomic magnetic moment is proposed and tested. With respect to the shape, dynamic characteristics, and metrological parameters, the M R signal is similar to the M X signal that is widely used in magnetometry but the former signal can be detected simultaneously with the M X signal using a common radio optical scheme. The proposed device represents a fast M X magnetometer with the phase in the feedback loop that is controlled by a slow precise M R magnetometer implemented using the same atoms. The device that can be based on a conventional M X sensor simultaneously exhibits a relatively short response time (τ ≤ 0.1 s) and the accuracy that is approximately equal to the resolution of the quantum M X discriminator at times of 10-100 s. The scheme is experimentally tested, and the statistic estimate of reproducibility is (1.2 ± 1.1) pT.

Sensitive Spin Detection Using An On-Chip Squid-Waveguide Resonator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yue, Guang

Quantum computing gives novel way of computing using quantum mechanics, which furthers human knowledge and has exciting applications. Quantum systems with diluted spins such as rare earth ions hosted in single crystal, molecule-based magnets etc. are promising qubits candidates to form the basis of a quantum computer. High sensitivity measurement and coherent control of these spin systems are crucial for their practical usage as qubits. The micro-SQUID (direct-current micrometer-sized Superconducting QUantum Interference Device) is capable to measure magnetization of spin system with high sensitivity. For example, the micro-SQUID technique can measure magnetic moments as small as several thousand muB as shown by the study of [W. Wernsdorfer, Supercond. Sci. Technol. 22, 064013 (2009)]. Here we develop a novel on-chip setup that combines the micro-SQUID sensitivity with microwave excitation. Such setup can be used for electron spin resonance measurements or coherent control of spins utilizing the high sensitivity of micro-SQUID for signal detection. To build the setup, we studied the fabrication process of the micro-SQUID, which is made of weak-linked Josephson junctions. The SQUID as a detector is integrated on the same chip with a shorted coplanar waveguide, so that the microwave pulses can be applied through the waveguide to excite the sample for resonance measurements. The whole device is plasma etched from a thin (˜ 20nm) niobium film, so that the SQUID can work at in large in-plane magnetic fields of several tesla. In addition, computer simulations are done to find the best design of the waveguide such that the microwave excitation field is sufficiently strong and uniformly applied to the sample. The magnetization curve of Mn12 molecule-based magnet sample is measured to prove the proper working of the micro-SQUID. Electron spin resonance measurement is done on the setup for gadolinium ions diluted in a CaWO4 single crystal. The measurement shows clear evidence of the resonance signal from the 1st transition of the gadolinium ions' energy levels, which shows the setup is successfully built. Due to the high sensitivity of micro-SQUID and the ability to concentrate microwave energy in small areas of the chip, this setup can detect signals from a small number of spins (107) in a small volume (several mum 3).

Demonstration of Helicopter Multi-Towed Array Detection System (MTADS) Magnetometry Technology at Pueblo Precision Bombing Range #2, Colorado

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-08-28

for aircraft pitch measurement Fluxgate magnetometer 10 RS232- ASCII SerialDevice.fluxgate Provides redundant aircraft attitude measurement...Figure 28. Filtered, ’final’ magnetometer data taken at high altitude. ......................................................... 43 LIST OF TABLES...flight. The magnetometer data can be analyzed to extract either distributions of magnetic anomalies (which can be further used to locate and bound

An improved Overhauser magnetometer for Earth's magnetic field observation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Shifang; Chen, Shudong; Zhang, Shuang; Guo, Xin; Cao, Qiong

2016-09-01

Overhauser magnetometer is a kind of high-precision devices for magnetostatic field measurement. It is widely used in geological survey, earth field variations, UXO detection etc. However, the original Overhauser magnetometer JOM-2 shows great shortcomings of low signal to noise ratio (SNR) and high power consumption, which directly affect the performance of the device. In order to increase the sensitivity and reduce power consumption, we present an improved Overhauser magnetometer. Firstly, compared with the original power board which suffers from heavy noise for improper EMC design, an improved power broad with 20mV peak to peak noise is presented in this paper. Then, the junction field effect transistor (JFET) is used as pre-amplifier in our new design, to overcome the higher current noise produced by the original instrumentation amplifier. By adjusting the parameters carefully low noise factor down to 0.5 dB can be obtained. Finally, the new architecture of ARM + CPLD is adopted to replace the original one with DSP+CPLD. So lower power consumption and greater flash memory can be realized. With these measures, an improved Overhauser magnetometer with higher sensitivity and lower power consumption is design here. The experimental results indicate that the sensitivity of the improved Overhauser magnetometer is 0.071nT, which confirms that the new magnetometer is sensitive to earth field measurement.

Ultra low noise YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7−δ} nano superconducting quantum interference devices implementing nanowires

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Arpaia, R.; CNR-SPIN, Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II,” I-80125 Napoli; Arzeo, M.

2014-02-17

We present results on ultra low noise YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7–δ} (YBCO) nano Superconducting QUantum Interference Devices (nanoSQUIDs). To realize such devices, we implemented high quality YBCO nanowires, working as weak links between two electrodes. We observe critical current modulation as a function of an externally applied magnetic field in the full temperature range below the transition temperature T{sub C}. The white flux noise below 1μΦ{sub 0}/√(Hz) at T=8 K makes our nanoSQUIDs very attractive for the detection of small spin systems.

Fabrication and characterization of hybrid Nb-YBCO dc SQUIDs

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Frack, E.K.; Drake, R.E.; Patt, R.

This paper reports on the fabrication of hybrid low T{sub c}/high T{sub c} dc SQUIDs of two flavors. The first kind utilizes niobium tunnel junctions and a YBCO film strip as the most inductive portion of the SQUID loop. This configuration allows a direct measurement of the inductance of the YBCO microstrip from which the effective penetration depth can be calculated. The successful fabrication of these SQUIDs has required 1. superconducting Nb-to-YBCO contacts, 2. deposition and patterning of an SiO{sub 2} insulation layer over YBCO, and 3. selective patterning of niobium and SiO{sub 2} relative to YBCO. All these processmore » steps are pertinent to the eventual use of YBCO thin films in electronic devices.« less

Cryogenic ultra-low-noise SiGe transistor amplifier.

PubMed

Ivanov, B I; Trgala, M; Grajcar, M; Il'ichev, E; Meyer, H-G

2011-10-01

An ultra-low-noise one-stage SiGe heterojunction bipolar transistor amplifier was designed for cryogenic temperatures and a frequency range of 10 kHz-100 MHz. A noise temperature T(N) ≈ 1.4 K was measured at an ambient temperature of 4.2 K at frequencies between 100 kHz and 100 MHz for a source resistance of ~50 Ω. The voltage gain of the amplifier was 25 dB at a power consumption of 720 μW. The input voltage noise spectral density of the amplifier is about 35 pV/√Hz. The low noise resistance and power consumption makes the amplifier suitable for readout of resistively shunted DC SQUID magnetometers and amplifiers.

Magnetic biomineralisation in Huntington's disease transgenic mice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beyhum, W.; Hautot, D.; Dobson, J.; Pankhurst, Q. A.

2005-01-01

The concentration levels of biogenic magnetite nanoparticles in transgenic R6/2 Huntington's disease (HD) mice have been investigated, using seven control and seven HD mice each from an 8 week-old litter and from a 12 week-old litter. Hysteresis and isothermal remnant magnetisation data were collected on a SQUID magnetometer, and analysed using a model comprising dia/paramagnetic, ferrimagnetic and superparamagnetic contributions, to extract the magnetite and ferritin concentrations present. It was found that magnetite was present in both superparamagnetic and blocked states. A larger spread and higher concentration of magnetite levels was found in the diseased mice for both the 8 week-old and 12 week-old batches, compared to the controls.

Francis Bitter National Magnet Laboratory annual report, July 1988 through June 1989

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1989-01-01

Contents include: reports on laboratory research programs--magneto-optics and semiconductor physics, magnetism, superconductivity, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, condensed-matter chemistry, biomagnetism, magnet technology, instrumentation for high-magnetic-field research, molecular biophysics; reports of visiting scientists--reports of users of the High Magnetic Field Facility, reports of users of the Pulsed Field Facility, reports of users of the SQUID Magnetometer and Moessbauer Facility, reports of users of the High-Field NMR Facility; Appendices--publications and meeting speeches, organization, summary of High-Field Magnet Facility use January 1, 1981 through December 31, 1988; geographic distribution of High-Field Magnet users (excluding laboratory staff); and summary of educational activities.

Metglas 2714A for Low Temperature Transformer Core and EMI Filter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Quach, Hung; Chui, Talso

2003-01-01

We have measured the real and imaginary parts of the relative permeability of Metglas 2714A. The magnetization noise density of a toroid made of this material is also measured with a SQUID magnetometer. This noise density is found to agree very well with the fluctuation dissipation theorem, implying that superconducting transformers with predictable noise characteristic can be designed. We also find that the relative permeability is larger than 10,000 at liquid helium temperature and at frequencies from DC to 100 kHz, making it suitable to be used as EMI filter material. Its usage should be similar to that of ferrites, with the exception that it is also effective at low temperatures.

Activation of acceptor levels in Mn implanted Si by pulsed laser annealing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Lin; Bürger, Danilo; Shalimov, Artem; Kovacs, Gy J.; Schmidt, Heidemarie; Zhou, Shengqiang

2018-04-01

In this paper, we report the magnetic and electrical properties of Mn implanted nearly intrinsic Si wafers after subsecond thermal treatment. Activation of acceptors is realized in pulsed laser annealing (PLA) films with a free hole concentration of 6.29  ×  1020 cm‑3 while the sample annealed by rapid thermal annealing (RTA) shows n-type conductivity with a much smaller free electron concentration in the order of 1015 cm‑3. Ferromagnetism is probed for all films by a SQUID magnetometer at low temperatures. The formation of ferromagnetic MnSi1.7 nanoparticles which was proven in RTA films can be excluded in Mn implanted Si annealed by PLA.

Single molecule magnets from magnetic building blocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kroener, W.; Paretzki, A.; Cervetti, C.; Hohloch, S.; Rauschenbach, S.; Kern, K.; Dressel, M.; Bogani, L.; M&üLler, P.

2013-03-01

We provide a basic set of magnetic building blocks that can be rationally assembled, similar to magnetic LEGO bricks, in order to create a huge variety of magnetic behavior. Using rare-earth centers and multipyridine ligands, fine-tuning of intra and intermolecular exchange interaction is demonstrated. We have investigated a series of molecules with monomeric, dimeric and trimeric lanthanide centers using SQUID susceptometry and Hall bar magnetometry. A home-made micro-Hall-probe magnetometer was used to measure magnetic hysteresis loops at mK temperatures and fields up to 17 T. All compounds show hysteresis below blocking temperatures of 3 to 4 K. The correlation of the assembly of the building blocks with the magnetic properties will be discussed.

The Microwave SQUID Multiplexer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mates, John Arthur Benson

2011-12-01

This thesis describes a multiplexer of Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) with low-noise, ultra-low power dissipation, and great scalability. The multiplexer circuit measures the magnetic flux in a large number of unshunted rf SQUIDs by coupling each SQUID to a superconducting microwave resonator tuned to a unique resonance frequency and driving the resonators from a common feedline. A superposition of microwave tones measures each SQUID simultaneously using only two coaxial cables between the cryogenic device and room temperature. This multiplexer will enable the instrumentation of arrays with hundreds of thousands of low-temperature detectors for new applications in cosmology, materials analysis, and nuclear non-proliferation. The driving application of the Microwave SQUID Multiplexer is the readout of large arrays of superconducting transition-edge sensors, by some figures of merit the most sensitive detectors of electromagnetic signals over a span of more than nine orders of magnitude in energy, from 40 GHz microwaves to 200 keV gamma rays. Modern transition-edge sensors have noise-equivalent power as low as 10-20 W / Hz1/2 and energy resolution as good as 2 eV at 6 keV. These per-pixel sensitivities approach theoretical limits set by the underlying signals, motivating a rapid increase in pixel count to access new science. Compelling applications, like the non-destructive assay of nuclear material for treaty verification or the search for primordial gravity waves from inflation use arrays of these detectors to increase collection area or tile a focal plane. We developed three generations of SQUID multiplexers, optimizing the first for flux noise 0.17 muPhi0 / Hz1/2, the second for input current noise 19 pA / Hz1/2, and the last for practical multiplexing of large arrays of cosmic microwave background polarimeters based on transition-edge sensors. Using the last design we demonstrated multiplexed readout of prototype polarimeters with the performance required for the future development of a large-scale astronomical instrument.

Frequency-tuned microwave photon counter based on a superconductive quantum interferometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shnyrkov, V. I.; Yangcao, Wu; Soroka, A. A.; Turutanov, O. G.; Lyakhno, V. Yu.

2018-03-01

Various types of single-photon counters operating in infrared, ultraviolet, and optical wavelength ranges are successfully used to study electromagnetic fields, analyze radiation sources, and solve problems in quantum informatics. However, their operating principles become ineffective at millimeter band, S-band, and ultra-high frequency bands of wavelengths due to the decrease in quantum energy by 4-5 orders of magnitude. Josephson circuits with discrete Hamiltonians and qubits are a good foundation for the construction of single-photon counters at these frequencies. This paper presents a frequency-tuned microwave photon counter based on a single-junction superconducting quantum interferometer and flux qutrit. The control pulse converts the interferometer into a two-level system for resonance absorption of photons. Decay of the photon-induced excited state changes the magnetic flux in the interferometer, which is measured by a SQUID magnetometer. Schemes for recording the magnetic flux using a DC SQUID or ideal parametric detector, based on a qutrit with high-frequency excitation, are discussed. It is shown that the counter consisting of an interferometer with a Josephson junction and a parametric detector demonstrates high performance and is capable of detecting single photons in a microwave band.

Application of the double relaxation oscillation superconducting quantum interference device sensor to micro-tesla 1H nuclear magnetic resonance experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kang, Chan Seok; Kim, Kiwoong; Lee, Seong-Joo; Hwang, Seong-min; Kim, Jin-Mok; Yu, Kwon Kyu; Kwon, Hyukchan; Lee, Sang Kil; Lee, Yong-Ho

2011-09-01

We developed an ultra-low field (ULF)-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurement system capable of working with a measurement field (Bm) of several micro-tesla and performed basic NMR studies with a double relaxation oscillation superconducting quantum interference device (DROS) instead of conventional dc-SQUIDs. DROS is a SQUID sensor utilizing a relaxation oscillation between a dc-SQUID and a relaxation circuit; the new unit consists of an inductor and a resistor, and is connected in parallel with the SQUID. DROS has a 10 times larger flux-to-voltage transfer coefficient (˜mV/ϕ0) than that of the dc-SQUID, and this large transfer coefficient enables the acquisition of the SQUID signal with a simple flux-locked-loop (FLL) circuit using room temperature pre-amplifiers. The DROS second-order gradiometer showed average field noise of 9.2 μϕ0/√Hz in a magnetically shielded room (MSR). In addition, a current limiter formed of a Josephson junction array was put in a flux-transformer of DROS to prevent excessive currents that can be generated from the high pre-polarization field (Bp). Using this system, we measured an 1H NMR signal in water under 2.8 μT Bm field and reconstructed a one-dimensional MR image from the 1H NMR signal under a gradient field BG of 4.09 nT/mm. In addition, we confirmed that the ULF-NMR system can measure the NMR signal in the presence of metal without any distortion by measuring the NMR signal of a sample wrapped with metal. Lastly, we have measured the scalar J-coupling of trimethylphosphate and were able to confirm a clear doublet NMR signal with the coupling strength J3[P,H] = 10.4 ± 0.8 Hz. Finally, because the existing ULF-NMR/MRI studies were almost all performed with dc-SQUID based systems, we constructed a dc-SQUID-based ULF-NMR system in addition to the DROS based system and compared the characteristics of the two different systems by operating the two systems under identical experimental conditions.

Current-induced SQUID behavior of superconducting Nb nano-rings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharon, Omri J.; Shaulov, Avner; Berger, Jorge; Sharoni, Amos; Yeshurun, Yosef

2016-06-01

The critical temperature in a superconducting ring changes periodically with the magnetic flux threading it, giving rise to the well-known Little-Parks magnetoresistance oscillations. Periodic changes of the critical current in a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), consisting of two Josephson junctions in a ring, lead to a different type of magnetoresistance oscillations utilized in detecting extremely small changes in magnetic fields. Here we demonstrate current-induced switching between Little-Parks and SQUID magnetoresistance oscillations in a superconducting nano-ring without Josephson junctions. Our measurements in Nb nano-rings show that as the bias current increases, the parabolic Little-Parks magnetoresistance oscillations become sinusoidal and eventually transform into oscillations typical of a SQUID. We associate this phenomenon with the flux-induced non-uniformity of the order parameter along a superconducting nano-ring, arising from the superconducting leads (‘arms’) attached to it. Current enhanced phase slip rates at the points with minimal order parameter create effective Josephson junctions in the ring, switching it into a SQUID.

Demonstration of Helicopter Multi-Sensor Towed Array Detection System (MTADS) Magnetometry Technology at Victorville Precision Bombing Range, California

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-09-12

measurement Fluxgate magnetometer 10 RS232- ASCII SerialDevice.fluxgate Provides redundant aircraft attitude measurement Acoustic altimeters 10 Analog...primarily by terrain, vegetation, and structural inhibitions to safe low-altitude flight. The magnetometer data can be analyzed to extract either...to validate the results of the magnetometer survey. ESTCP Victorville PBR WAA Final Report December 2008 Sky Research, Inc. 2 1.2. Objectives of

Airborne full tensor magnetic gradiometry surveys in the Thuringian basin, Germany

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Queitsch, M.; Schiffler, M.; Goepel, A.; Stolz, R.; Meyer, M.; Meyer, H.; Kukowski, N.

2013-12-01

In this contribution we introduce a newly developed fully operational full tensor magnetic gradiometer (FTMG) instrument based on Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) and show example data acquired in 2012 within the framework of the INFLUINS (Integrated Fluid Dynamics in Sedimentary basins) project. This multidisciplinary project aims for a better understanding of movements and interaction between shallow and deep fluids in the Thuringian Basin in the center of Germany. In contrast to mapping total magnetic field intensity (TMI) in conventional airborne magnetic surveys for industrial exploration of mineral deposits and sedimentary basins, our instrument measures all components of the magnetic field gradient tensor using highly sensitive SQUID gradiometers. This significantly constrains the solutions of the inverse problem. Furthermore, information on the ratio between induced and remanent magnetization is obtained. Special care has been taken to reduce motion noise while acquiring data in airborne operation. Therefore, the sensors are mounted in a nonmagnetic and aerodynamically shaped bird made of fiberglas with a high drag tail which stabilizes the bird even at low velocities. The system is towed by a helicopter and kept at 30m above ground during data acquisition. Additionally, the system in the bird incorporates an inertial unit for geo-referencing and enhanced motion noise compensation, a radar altimeter for topographic correction and a GPS system for high precision positioning. Advanced data processing techniques using reference magnetometer and inertial unit data result in a very low system noise of less than 60 pT/m peak to peak in airborne operation. To show the performance of the system we present example results from survey areas within the Thuringian basin and along its bordering highlands. The mapped gradient tensor components show a high correlation to existing geologic maps. Furthermore, the measured gradient components indicate that some of the observed magnetic anomalies have a strong remanent magnetization. One example of interpretation of the acquired data of a magnetic anomaly related to a larger gabbro formation is presented.

Thermosensitive Ni-based magnetic particles for self-controlled hyperthermia applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pandey, Sudip; Quetz, Abdiel; Aryal, Anil; Dubenko, Igor; Mazumdar, Dipanjan; Stadler, Shane; Ali, Naushad

2017-04-01

A number of ferromagnetic alloys in the bulk-form "thermoseeds" have been investigated for localized self-controlled hyperthermia treatment of cancer by substituting V, Mo, Cu, and Ga for Ni. The samples were prepared by arc-melting technique and annealed at 1223 K (950 °C) for 12 h in sealed quartz tubes. The structural, magnetic, and magnetocaloric properties of the samples were studied, using room temperature X-ray diffraction and a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) magnetometer. The magnetocaloric parameters (magnetic entropy changes, refrigeration capacity (RC), and hysteretic effects) have been calculated. It has been shown that recrystallization, i.e., annealing time and temperature, is crucial for controlling the heating characteristics of the seeds. A linear decrease in Curie temperature (TC) from 380 K (107 °C) to 200 K (-73 °C) was observed with increasing substitution of Ni by V, Mo, Cu, and Ga, while the magnetization value remained nearly constant for all substitutions. The optimal composition of these Ni-based alloys has been determined in order to allow self-controlling hyperthermia, implying a Curie temperature near the therapeutic level, 315-318 K (41-45 °C). The results showed that an extraordinary self-regulating heating effect has been achieved in Ni-based magnetic materials, which may create new vistas for hyperthermia cancer treatment.

Room Temperature Antiferromagnetic Ordering of Nanocrystalline Tb1.90Ni0.10O3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mandal, J.; Dalal, M.; Sarkar, B. J.; Chakrabarti, P. K.

2017-02-01

Nanocrystalline Ni-doped terbium oxide (Tb1.90Ni0.10O3) has been synthesized by the co-precipitation method followed by annealing at 700°C for 6 h in vacuum. The crystallographic phase and the substitution of Ni2+ ions in the lattice of Tb2O3 are confirmed by Rietveld analysis of the x-ray diffraction pattern using the software MAUD. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy is also carried out to study the morphology of the sample. Magnetic measurements are carried out at different temperatures from 5 K to 300 K using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. The dependence of the magnetization of Tb1.90Ni0.10O3 as a function of temperature ( M- T) and magnetic field ( M- H) suggests the presence of both paramagnetic and antiferromagnetic phase at room temperature, but antiferromagnetic phase dominates below ˜120 K. The lack of saturation in the M- H curve and good fitting of the M- T curve by the Johnston formula also indicate the presence of both paramagnetic and antiferromagnetic phase at room temperature. Interestingly, an antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic phase transition is observed below ˜40 K. The result also shows a high value of magnetization at 5 K.

Simultaneous readout of 128 X-ray and gamma-ray transition-edge microcalorimeters using microwave SQUID multiplexing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mates, J. A. B.; Becker, D. T.; Bennett, D. A.; Dober, B. J.; Gard, J. D.; Hays-Wehle, J. P.; Fowler, J. W.; Hilton, G. C.; Reintsema, C. D.; Schmidt, D. R.; Swetz, D. S.; Vale, L. R.; Ullom, J. N.

2017-08-01

The number of elements in most cryogenic sensor arrays is limited by the technology available to multiplex signals from the arrays into a smaller number of wires and readout amplifiers. The largest demonstrated arrays of transition-edge sensor (TES) microcalorimeters contain roughly 250 detectors and use time-division multiplexing with Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs). The bandwidth limits of this technology constrain the number of sensors per amplifier chain, a quantity known as the multiplexing factor, to several 10s. With microwave SQUID multiplexing, we can expand the readout bandwidth and enable much larger multiplexing factors. While microwave SQUID multiplexing of TES microcalorimeters has been previously demonstrated with small numbers of detectors, we now present a fully scalable demonstration in which 128 TES detectors are read out on a single pair of coaxial cables.

The Storage Ring Proton EDM Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Semertzidis, Yannis; Storage Ring Proton EDM Collaboration

2014-09-01

The storage ring pEDM experiment utilizes an all-electric storage ring to store ~1011 longitudinally polarized protons simultaneously in clock-wise and counter-clock-wise directions for 103 seconds. The radial E-field acts on the proton EDM for the duration of the storage time to precess its spin in the vertical plane. The ring lattice is optimized to reduce intra-beam scattering, increase the statistical sensitivity and reduce the systematic errors of the method. The main systematic error is a net radial B-field integrated around the ring causing an EDM-like vertical spin precession. The counter-rotating beams sense this integrated field and are vertically shifted by an amount, which depends on the strength of the vertical focusing in the ring, thus creating a radial B-field. Modulating the vertical focusing at 10 kHz makes possible the detection of this radial B-field by a SQUID-magnetometer (SQUID-based BPM). For a total number of n SQUID-based BPMs distributed around the ring the effectiveness of the method is limited to the N = n /2 harmonic of the background radial B-field due to the Nyquist sampling theorem limit. This limitation establishes the requirement to reduce the maximum radial B-field to 0.1-1 nT everywhere around the ring by layers of mu-metal and aluminum vacuum tube. The metho's sensitivity is 10-29 e .cm , more than three orders of magnitude better than the present neutron EDM experimental limit, making it sensitive to SUSY-like new physics mass scale up to 300 TeV.

MgB2 magnetometer with a directly coupled pick-up loop

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Portesi, C.; Mijatovic, D.; Veldhuis, D.; Brinkman, A.; Monticone, E.; Gonnelli, R. S.

2006-05-01

In this work, we show the results obtained in the fabrication and characterization of an MgB2 magnetometer with a directly coupled pick-up loop. We used an all in situ technique for fabricating magnesium diboride films, which consists of the co-evaporation of B and Mg by means of an e-gun and a resistive heater respectively. Consequently, we realized the superconducting device, which incorporates two nanobridges as weak links in a superconducting loop. The nanobridges were realized by focused ion beam milling; they were 240 nm wide and had a critical current density of 107 A cm-2. The magnetometer was characterized at different temperatures and also measurements of the noise levels have been performed. The device shows Josephson quantum interference up to 20 K and the calculated effective area at low temperatures was 0.24 mm2. The transport properties of the magnetometer allow determining fundamental materials properties of the MgB2 thin films, such as the penetration depth.

Swarm Optimization-Based Magnetometer Calibration for Personal Handheld Devices

PubMed Central

Ali, Abdelrahman; Siddharth, Siddharth; Syed, Zainab; El-Sheimy, Naser

2012-01-01

Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) consist of accelerometers, gyroscopes and a processor that generates position and orientation solutions by integrating the specific forces and rotation rates. In addition to the accelerometers and gyroscopes, magnetometers can be used to derive the user heading based on Earth's magnetic field. Unfortunately, the measurements of the magnetic field obtained with low cost sensors are usually corrupted by several errors, including manufacturing defects and external electro-magnetic fields. Consequently, proper calibration of the magnetometer is required to achieve high accuracy heading measurements. In this paper, a Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO)-based calibration algorithm is presented to estimate the values of the bias and scale factor of low cost magnetometers. The main advantage of this technique is the use of the artificial intelligence which does not need any error modeling or awareness of the nonlinearity. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm can help in the development of Pedestrian Navigation Devices (PNDs) when combined with inertial sensors and GPS/Wi-Fi for indoor navigation and Location Based Services (LBS) applications.

Large voltage modulation in superconducting quantum interference devices with submicron-scale step-edge junctions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lam, Simon K. H.

2017-09-01

A promising direction to improve the sensitivity of a SQUID is to increase its junction's normal resistance value, Rn, as the SQUID modulation voltage scales linearly with Rn. As a first step to develop highly sensitive single layer SQUID, submicron scale YBCO grain boundary step edge junctions and SQUIDs with large Rn were fabricated and studied. The step-edge junctions were reduced to submicron scale to increase their Rn values using focus ion beam, FIB and the measurement of transport properties were performed from 4.3 to 77 K. The FIB induced deposition layer proves to be effective to minimize the Ga ion contamination during the FIB milling process. The critical current-normal resistance value of submicron junction at 4.3 K was found to be 1-3 mV, comparable to the value of the same type of junction in micron scale. The submicron junction Rn value is in the range of 35-100 Ω, resulting a large SQUID modulation voltage in a wide temperature range. This performance promotes further investigation of cryogen-free, high field sensitivity SQUID applications at medium low temperature, e.g. at 40-60 K.

A Josephson radiation comb generator.

PubMed

Solinas, P; Gasparinetti, S; Golubev, D; Giazotto, F

2015-07-20

We propose the implementation of a Josephson Radiation Comb Generator (JRCG) based on a dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) driven by an external magnetic field. When the magnetic flux crosses a diffraction node of the critical current interference pattern, the superconducting phase undergoes a jump of π and a voltage pulse is generated at the extremes of the SQUID. Under periodic drive this allows one to generate a sequence of sharp, evenly spaced voltage pulses. In the frequency domain, this corresponds to a comb-like structure similar to the one exploited in optics and metrology. With this device it is possible to generate up to several hundreds of harmonics of the driving frequency. For example, a chain of 50 identical high-critical-temperature SQUIDs driven at 1 GHz can deliver up to a 0.5 nW at 200 GHz. The availability of a fully solid-state radiation comb generator such as the JRCG, easily integrable on chip, may pave the way to a number of technological applications, from metrology to sub-millimeter wave generation.

Micromechanical ``Trampoline'' Magnetometers for Use in Pulsed Magnetic Fields Exceeding 60 Tesla

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balakirev, F. F.; Boebinger, G. S.; Aksyuk, V.; Gammel, P. L.; Haddon, R. C.; Bishop, D. J.

1998-03-01

We present the design, construction, and operation of a novel magnetometer for use in intense pulsed magnetic fields. The magnetometer consists of a silicon micromachined "trampoline" to which the sample is attached. The small size of the device (typically 400 microns on a side) gives a fast mechanical response (10,000 to 50,000 Hz) and extremely high sensitivity (10-11 Am^2, corresponding to 10-13 Am^2/Hz^(1/2)). The device is robust against electrical and mechanical noise and requires no special vibration isolation from the pulsed magnet. As a demonstration, we present data taken in a 60 tesla pulsed magnetic field which show clear de Haas-van Alphen oscillations in a one microgram sample of the organic superconductor K-(BEDT-TTF)_2Cu(NCS)_2.

TEM measurement in a low resistivity overburden performed by using low temperature SQUID

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ji, Yanju; Du, Shangyu; Xie, Lijun; Chang, Kai; Liu, Yang; Zhang, Yi; Xie, Xiaoming; Wang, Yuan; Lin, Jun; Rong, Liangliang

2016-12-01

Exploration of areas with thick low resistivity overburden is still a challenge for time domain transient electromagnetic method (TEM). We report modeling of a sandwich-layered earth by simulating the B field response with different conductive target layer thicknesses, thus obtaining a relationship between the resolution of the B field and the exploration depth. A low temperature Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) is an ideal sensor for measuring the secondary magnetic field B in TEM measurements, because its sensitivity of several fT/√Hz is independent of frequency. In our TEM experiments, we utilized two different coils as receivers, a simple SQUID system, and a large transmitter loop of 200 × 200 m2 to compare the detected decay curves. At some measurement points, a decay signal of more than 300 ms duration was obtained by using the SQUID. Apparent resistivity profiles of about 9 km length are presented.

Intermodulation in nonlinear SQUID metamaterials: Experiment and theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Daimeng; Trepanier, Melissa; Antonsen, Thomas; Ott, Edward; Anlage, Steven M.

2016-11-01

The response of nonlinear metamaterials and superconducting electronics to two-tone excitation is critical for understanding their use as low-noise amplifiers and tunable filters. A new setting for such studies is that of metamaterials made of radio frequency superconducting quantum interference devices (rf-SQUIDs). The two-tone response of self-resonant rf-SQUID meta-atoms and metamaterials is studied here via intermodulation (IM) measurement over a broad range of tone frequencies and tone powers. A sharp onset followed by a surprising strongly suppressed IM region near the resonance is observed. Using a two time scale analysis technique, we present an analytical theory that successfully explains our experimental observations. The theory predicts that the IM can be manipulated with tone power, center frequency, frequency difference between the two tones, and temperature. This quantitative understanding potentially allows for the design of rf-SQUID metamaterials with either very low or very high IM response.

SQUID amplifiers for axion search experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matlashov, Andrei; Schmelz, Matthias; Zakosarenko, Vyacheslav; Stolz, Ronny; Semertzidis, Yannis K.

2018-04-01

In the experiments for dark-matter QCD-axion searches, very weak microwave signals from a low-temperature High-Q resonant cavity should be detected using the highest sensitivity. The best commercial low-noise cryogenic semiconductor amplifiers based on high electron mobility transistors have a lowest noise temperature above 1.0 K, even if they are cooled well below 1 K. Superconducting quantum interference devices can work as microwave amplifiers with temperature noise close to the standard quantum limit. Previous SQUID-based RF amplifiers designed for axion search experiments have a microstrip resonant input coil and are thus called micro-strip SQUID amplifiers or MSAs. Due to the resonant input coupling they usually have narrow bandwidth. In this paper we report on a SQUID-based wideband microwave amplifier fabricated using sub-micron size Josephson junctions with very low capacitance. A single amplifier can be used in a frequency range of approximately 1-5 GHz.

Source localization of brain activity using helium-free interferometer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dammers, Jürgen, E-mail: J.Dammers@fz-juelich.de; Chocholacs, Harald; Eich, Eberhard

2014-05-26

To detect extremely small magnetic fields generated by the human brain, currently all commercial magnetoencephalography (MEG) systems are equipped with low-temperature (low-T{sub c}) superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) sensors that use liquid helium for cooling. The limited and increasingly expensive supply of helium, which has seen dramatic price increases recently, has become a real problem for such systems and the situation shows no signs of abating. MEG research in the long run is now endangered. In this study, we report a MEG source localization utilizing a single, highly sensitive SQUID cooled with liquid nitrogen only. Our findings confirm that localizationmore » of neuromagnetic activity is indeed possible using high-T{sub c} SQUIDs. We believe that our findings secure the future of this exquisitely sensitive technique and have major implications for brain research and the developments of cost-effective multi-channel, high-T{sub c} SQUID-based MEG systems.« less

Miniature Dual-Mode Absolute Scalar Magnetometer Based on the Rubidium Isotope 87Rb

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Korth, H.; Strohbehn, K.; Kitching, J.

2016-10-01

Miniaturized absolute scalar magnetometer based on the rubidium isotope 87Rb takes advantage of recent breakthroughs in micro-fabricated atomic devices, has a total mass of 210 g and uses <1 W of power, and maintains a sensitivity of 0.1 nT rms.

Search for the permanent electric dipole moment of 129Xe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sachdeva, Natasha; Chupp, Timothy; Gong, Fei; Babcock, Earl; Salhi, Zahir; Burghoff, Martin; Fan, Isaac; Killian, Wolfgang; Knappe-Grüneberg, Silvia; Schabel, Allard; Seifert, Frank; Trahms, Lutz; Voigt, Jens; Degenkolb, Skyler; Fierlinger, Peter; Krägeloh, Eva; Lins, Tobias; Marino, Michael; Meinel, Jonas; Niessen, Benjamin; Stuiber, Stefan; Terrano, William; Kuchler, Florian; Singh, Jaideep

2017-09-01

CP-violation in Beyond-the-Standard-Model physics, necessary to explain the baryon asymmetry, gives rise to permanent electric dipole moments (EDMs). EDM measurements of the neutron, electron, paramagnetic and diamagnetic atoms constrain CP-violating parameters. The current limit for the 129Xe EDM is 6 ×10-27 e . cm (95 % CL). The HeXeEDM experiment at FRM-II (Munich Research Reactor) and BMSR-2 (Berlin Magnetically Shielded Room) uses a stable magnetic field in a magnetically shielded room and 3He comagnetometer with potential to improve the limit by two orders of magnitude. Polarized 3He and 129Xe free precession is detected with SQUID magnetometers in the presence of applied electric and magnetic fields. Conclusions from recent measurements will be presented.

Evidence of martensitic phase transitions in magnetic Ni-Mn-In thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sokolov, A.; Zhang, Le; Dubenko, I.; Samanta, T.; Stadler, S.; Ali, N.

2013-02-01

Ni50Mn35In15 Heusler alloy thin films (with thicknesses of about 10 nm) have been grown on single crystal MgO and SrTiO3 (STO) (100) substrates using a laser-assisted molecular beam epitaxy method. Films of mixed austenitic and martensitic phases and of pure martensitic phase have been detected for those grown on MgO and STO substrates, respectively. Thermomagnetic curves were measured using a SQUID magnetometer and are consistent with those of off-stoichiometric In-based bulk Heusler alloys, including a martensitic transition at T = 315 K for films grown on MgO. The differences in the properties of the films grown on MgO and STO are discussed.

High-performance dc SQUIDs with submicrometer niobium Josephson junctions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Waal, V. J.; Klapwijk, T. M.; van den Hamer, P.

1983-11-01

We report on the fabrication and performance of low-noise, all-niobium, thin-film planar dc SQUIDs with submicrometer Josephson junctions. The junctions are evaporated obliquely through a metal shadow evaporation mask, which is made using optical lithography with 0.5 µm tolerance. The Josephson junction barrier is formed by evaporating a thin silicon film and with a subsequent oxidation in a glow discharge. The junction parameters can be reproduced within a factor of two. Typical critical currents of the SQUIDs are about 3 µA and the resistances are about 100 Ω. With SQUIDs having an inductance of 1 nH the voltage modulation is at least 60 µV. An intrinsic energy resolution of 4×10-32 J/Hz has been reached. The SQUIDs are coupled to wire-wound input coils or with thin-film input coils. The thin-film input coil consists of a niobium spiral of 20 turns on a separate substrate. In both cases the coil is glued onto a 2-nH SQUID with a coupling efficiency of at least 0.5. Referred to the thin-film input coil, the best coupled energy resolution achieved is 1.2×10-30 J/Hz measured in a flux-locked loop at frequencies above 10 Hz. As far as we know, this is the best figure achieved with an all-refractory-metal thin-film SQUID. The fabrication technique used is suited for making circuits with SQUID and pickup coil on the same substrate. We describe a compact, planar, first-order gradiometer integrated with a SQUID on a single substrate. The gradient noise of this device is 3×10-12 T m-1. The gradiometer has a size of 12 mm×17 mm, is simple to fabricate, and is suitable for biomedical applications.

White noise of Nb-based microwave superconducting quantum interference device multiplexers with NbN coplanar resonators for readout of transition edge sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kohjiro, Satoshi; Hirayama, Fuminori; Yamamori, Hirotake; Nagasawa, Shuichi; Fukuda, Daiji; Hidaka, Mutsuo

2014-06-01

White noise of dissipationless microwave radio frequency superconducting quantum interference device (RF-SQUID) multiplexers has been experimentally studied to evaluate their readout performance for transition edge sensor (TES) photon counters ranging from near infrared to gamma ray. The characterization has been carried out at 4 K, first to avoid the low-frequency fluctuations present at around 0.1 K, and second, for a feasibility study of readout operation at 4 K for extended applications. To increase the resonant Q at 4 K and maintain low noise SQUID operation, multiplexer chips consisting of niobium nitride (NbN)-based coplanar-waveguide resonators and niobium (Nb)-based RF-SQUIDs have been developed. This hybrid multiplexer exhibited 1 × 104 ≤ Q ≤ 2 × 104 and the square root of spectral density of current noise referred to the SQUID input √SI = 31 pA/√Hz. The former and the latter are factor-of-five and seven improvements from our previous results on Nb-based resonators, respectively. Two-directional readout on the complex plane of the transmission component of scattering matrix S21 enables us to distinguish the flux noise from noise originating from other sources, such as the cryogenic high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) amplifier. Systematic noise measurements with various microwave readout powers PMR make it possible to distinguish the contribution of noise sources within the system as follows: (1) The achieved √SI is dominated by the Nyquist noise from a resistor at 4 K in parallel to the SQUID input coil which is present to prevent microwave leakage to the TES. (2) The next dominant source is either the HEMT-amplifier noise (for small values of PMR) or the quantization noise due to the resolution of 300-K electronics (for large values of PMR). By a decrease of these noise levels to a degree that is achievable by current technology, we predict that the microwave RF-SQUID multiplexer can exhibit √SI ≤ 5 pA/√Hz, i.e., close to √SI of state-of-the-art DC-SQUID-based multiplexers.

Study on signal intensity of low field nuclear magnetic resonance via an indirect coupling measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Feng-Ying; Wang, Ning; Jin, Yi-Rong; Deng, Hui; Tian, Ye; Lang, Pei-Lin; Li, Jie; Chen, Ying-Fei; Zheng, Dong-Ning

2013-04-01

We carry out an ultra-low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiment based on high-Tc superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs). The measurement field is in a micro-tesla range (~10 μT-100 μT) and the experiment is conducted in a home-made magnetically-shielded-room (MSR). The measurements are performed by the indirect coupling method in which the signal of nuclei precession is indirectly coupled to the SQUID through a tuned copper coil transformer. In such an arrangement, the interferences of applied measurement and polarization field to the SQUID sensor are avoided and the performance of the SQUID is not destroyed. In order to compare the detection sensitivity obtained by using the SQUID with that achieved using a conventional low-noise-amplifier, we perform the measurements using a commercial room temperature amplifier. The results show that in a wide frequency range (~1 kHz-10 kHz) the measurements with the SQUID sensor exhibit a higher signal-to-noise ratio. Further, we discuss the dependence of NMR peak magnitude on measurement frequency. We attribute the reduction of the peak magnitude at high frequency to the increased field inhomogeneity as the measurement field increases. This is verified by compensating the field gradient using three sets of gradient coils.

Compact, ultra-low vibration, closed-cycle helium recycler for uninterrupted operation of MEG with SQUID magnetometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Chao; Sun, Limin; Lichtenwalter, Ben; Zerkle, Brent; Okada, Yoshio

2016-06-01

A closed-cycle helium recycler was developed for continuous uninterrupted operation for magnetometer-based whole-head magnetoencephalography (MEG) systems. The recycler consists of a two stage 4 K pulse-tube cryocooler and is mounted on the roof of a magnetically shielded room (MSR). A flexible liquid helium (LHe) return line on the recycler is inserted into the fill port of the MEG system in the MSR through a slotted opening in the ceiling. The helium vapor is captured through a line that returns the gas to the top of the recycler assembly. A high-purity helium gas cylinder connected to the recycler assembly supplies the gas, which, after it is liquefied, increases the level of LHe in the MEG system during the start-up phase. No storage tank for evaporated helium gas nor a helium gas purifier is used. The recycler is capable of liquefying helium with a rate of ∼17 L/d after precooling the MEG system. It has provided a fully maintenance-free operation under computer control for 7 months without refill of helium. Although the recycler is used for single-orientation operation at this initial testing site, it is designed to operate at ±20° orientations, allowing the MEG system to be tilted for supine and reclining positions. Vibration of the recycler is dampened to an ultra-low level by using several vibration isolation methods, which enables uninterrupted operation during MEG measurements. Recyclers similar to this system may be quite useful even for MEG systems with 100% magnetometers.

Calibration of a fluxgate magnetometer array and its application in magnetic object localization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pang, Hongfeng; Luo, Shitu; Zhang, Qi; Li, Ji; Chen, Dixiang; Pan, Mengchun; Luo, Feilu

2013-07-01

The magnetometer array is effective for magnetic object detection and localization. Calibration is important to improve the accuracy of the magnetometer array. A magnetic sensor array built with four three-axis DM-050 fluxgate magnetometers is designed, which is connected by a cross aluminum frame. In order to improve the accuracy of the magnetometer array, a calibration process is presented. The calibration process includes magnetometer calibration, coordinate transformation and misalignment calibration. The calibration system consists of a magnetic sensor array, a GSM-19T proton magnetometer, a two-dimensional nonmagnetic rotation platform, a 12 V-dc portable power device and two portable computers. After magnetometer calibration, the RMS error has been decreased from an original value of 125.559 nT to a final value of 1.711 nT (a factor of 74). After alignment, the RMS error of misalignment has been decreased from 1322.3 to 6.0 nT (a factor of 220). Then, the calibrated array deployed on the nonmagnetic rotation platform is used for ferromagnetic object localization. Experimental results show that the estimated errors of X, Y and Z axes are -0.049 m, 0.008 m and 0.025 m, respectively. Thus, the magnetometer array is effective for magnetic object detection and localization in three dimensions.

Choice of Magnetometers and Gradiometers after Signal Space Separation.

PubMed

Garcés, Pilar; López-Sanz, David; Maestú, Fernando; Pereda, Ernesto

2017-12-16

Modern Elekta Neuromag MEG devices include 102 sensor triplets containing one magnetometer and two planar gradiometers. The first processing step is often a signal space separation (SSS), which provides a powerful noise reduction. A question commonly raised by researchers and reviewers relates to which data should be employed in analyses: (1) magnetometers only, (2) gradiometers only, (3) magnetometers and gradiometers together. The MEG community is currently divided with regard to the proper answer. First, we provide theoretical evidence that both gradiometers and magnetometers result from the backprojection of the same SSS components. Then, we compare resting state and task-related sensor and source estimations from magnetometers and gradiometers in real MEG recordings before and after SSS. SSS introduced a strong increase in the similarity between source time series derived from magnetometers and gradiometers (r² = 0.3-0.8 before SSS and r² > 0.80 after SSS). After SSS, resting state power spectrum and functional connectivity, as well as visual evoked responses, derived from both magnetometers and gradiometers were highly similar (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient > 0.8, r² > 0.8). After SSS, magnetometer and gradiometer data are estimated from a single set of SSS components (usually ≤ 80). Equivalent results can be obtained with both sensor types in typical MEG experiments.

A high-resolution superconducting pressure control system for use at low temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geng, Z. K.; Swanson, D. R.; Nissen, J. A.; Lipa, J. A.

2000-01-01

We have developed a high resolution superconducting pressure gauge and controller system capable of stabilizing pressure to within +/-10-8 bar in the range 0-30 bars at temperatures below about 6K. The system consists of two parts: a transducer and a pressure actuator. The transducer is based on the inductive sensing of the position of a diaphragm using superconducting techniques. A rod attached to the center of the diaphragm supports a superconducting plate which is in close proximity to a flat, spiral superconducting coil. A persistent current of about 1 A is trapped in the coil and is coupled to a dc SQUID magnetometer. The magnetometer produces a partially digitized dc output proportional to the change of pressure applied to the diaphragm. Because of the ability of the magnetometer to count magnetic flux quanta, an extremely wide dynamic range can be achieved with high sensitivity and repeatability. The transducer was used to control the pressure of a sample of liquid helium at temperatures near 2 K and pressures from 1-25 bars. The actuator consisted of two parts: a thermally isolated chamber filled with 3He that could be heated and cooled as desired over the range 1.5 to 10 K, and a beryllium-copper diaphragm assembly. This diaphragm had the 3He on one side and the sample helium on the other. A simple servomechanism was used to convert the output signal from the magnetometer to heat applied to the 3He chamber. The system has been operated routinely over the full range of pressures and so far no significant drift has been detected. It is somewhat sensitive to vibration and EMI, but otherwise appears quite robust. Plans have been made to improve the shielding to reduce the EMI susceptibility. The vibration sensitivity can be reduced by making use of a pair of pressure sensing diaphragms acting in opposite directions. .

High-resolution imaging of magnetic fields using scanning superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fong de Los Santos, Luis E.

Development of a scanning superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) microscope system with interchangeable sensor configurations for imaging magnetic fields of room-temperature (RT) samples with sub-millimeter resolution. The low-critical-temperature (Tc) niobium-based monolithic SQUID sensor is mounted in the tip of a sapphire rod and thermally anchored to the cryostat helium reservoir. A 25 mum sapphire window separates the vacuum space from the RT sample. A positioning mechanism allows adjusting the sample-to-sensor spacing from the top of the Dewar. I have achieved a sensor-to-sample spacing of 100 mum, which could be maintained for periods of up to 4 weeks. Different SQUID sensor configurations are necessary to achieve the best combination of spatial resolution and field sensitivity for a given magnetic source. For imaging thin sections of geological samples, I used a custom-designed monolithic low-Tc niobium bare SQUID sensor, with an effective diameter of 80 mum, and achieved a field sensitivity of 1.5 pT/Hz1/2 and a magnetic moment sensitivity of 5.4 x 10-18 Am2/Hz1/2 at a sensor-to-sample spacing of 100 mum in the white noise region for frequencies above 100 Hz. Imaging action currents in cardiac tissue requires higher field sensitivity, which can only be achieved by compromising spatial resolution. I developed a monolithic low-Tc niobium multiloop SQUID sensor, with sensor sizes ranging from 250 mum to 1 mm, and achieved sensitivities of 480 - 180 fT/Hz1/2 in the white noise region for frequencies above 100 Hz, respectively. For all sensor configurations, the spatial resolution was comparable to the effective diameter and limited by the sensor-to-sample spacing. Spatial registration allowed us to compare high-resolution images of magnetic fields associated with action currents and optical recordings of transmembrane potentials to study the bidomain nature of cardiac tissue or to match petrography to magnetic field maps in thin sections of geological samples.

Proximity-Induced Superconductivity and Quantum Interference in Topological Crystalline Insulator SnTe Thin-Film Devices.

PubMed

Klett, Robin; Schönle, Joachim; Becker, Andreas; Dyck, Denis; Borisov, Kiril; Rott, Karsten; Ramermann, Daniela; Büker, Björn; Haskenhoff, Jan; Krieft, Jan; Hübner, Torsten; Reimer, Oliver; Shekhar, Chandra; Schmalhorst, Jan-Michael; Hütten, Andreas; Felser, Claudia; Wernsdorfer, Wolfgang; Reiss, Günter

2018-02-14

Topological crystalline insulators represent a new state of matter, in which the electronic transport is governed by mirror-symmetry protected Dirac surface states. Due to the helical spin-polarization of these surface states, the proximity of topological crystalline matter to a nearby superconductor is predicted to induce unconventional superconductivity and, thus, to host Majorana physics. We report on the preparation and characterization of Nb-based superconducting quantum interference devices patterned on top of topological crystalline insulator SnTe thin films. The SnTe films show weak anti-localization, and the weak links of the superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUID) exhibit fully gapped proximity-induced superconductivity. Both properties give a coinciding coherence length of 120 nm. The SQUID oscillations induced by a magnetic field show 2π periodicity, possibly dominated by the bulk conductivity.

Noise Modeling From Conductive Shields Using Kirchhoff Equations.

PubMed

Sandin, Henrik J; Volegov, Petr L; Espy, Michelle A; Matlashov, Andrei N; Savukov, Igor M; Schultz, Larry J

2010-10-09

Progress in the development of high-sensitivity magnetic-field measurements has stimulated interest in understanding the magnetic noise of conductive materials, especially of magnetic shields based on high-permeability materials and/or high-conductivity materials. For example, SQUIDs and atomic magnetometers have been used in many experiments with mu-metal shields, and additionally SQUID systems frequently have radio frequency shielding based on thin conductive materials. Typical existing approaches to modeling noise only work with simple shield and sensor geometries while common experimental setups today consist of multiple sensor systems with complex shield geometries. With complex sensor arrays used in, for example, MEG and Ultra Low Field MRI studies, knowledge of the noise correlation between sensors is as important as knowledge of the noise itself. This is crucial for incorporating efficient noise cancelation schemes for the system. We developed an approach that allows us to calculate the Johnson noise for arbitrary shaped shields and multiple sensor systems. The approach is efficient enough to be able to run on a single PC system and return results on a minute scale. With a multiple sensor system our approach calculates not only the noise for each sensor but also the noise correlation matrix between sensors. Here we will show how the algorithm can be implemented.

Construction and calibration of a low cost and fully automated vibrating sample magnetometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Alaily, T. M.; El-Nimr, M. K.; Saafan, S. A.; Kamel, M. M.; Meaz, T. M.; Assar, S. T.

2015-07-01

A low cost vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) has been constructed by using an electromagnet and an audio loud speaker; where both are controlled by a data acquisition device. The constructed VSM records the magnetic hysteresis loop up to 8.3 KG at room temperature. The apparatus has been calibrated and tested by using magnetic hysteresis data of some ferrite samples measured by two scientifically calibrated magnetometers; model (Lake Shore 7410) and model (LDJ Electronics Inc. Troy, MI). Our VSM lab-built new design proved success and reliability.

Microfabricated optically pumped magnetometer arrays for biomedical imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perry, A. R.; Sheng, D.; Krzyzewski, S. P.; Geller, S.; Knappe, S.

2017-02-01

Optically-pumped magnetometers have demonstrated magnetic field measurements as precise as the best superconducting quantum interference device magnetometers. Our group develops miniature alkali atom-based magnetic sensors using microfabrication technology. Our sensors do not require cryogenic cooling, and can be positioned very close to the sample, making these sensors an attractive option for development in the medical community. We will present our latest chip-scale optically-pumped gradiometer developed for array applications to image magnetic fields from the brain noninvasively. These developments should lead to improved spatial resolution, and potentially sensitive measurements in unshielded environments.

Active cooling of an audio-frequency electrical resonator to microkelvin temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vinante, A.; Bonaldi, M.; Mezzena, R.; Falferi, P.

2010-11-01

We have cooled a macroscopic LC electrical resonator using feedback-cooling combined with an ultrasensitive dc Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) current amplifier. The resonator, with resonance frequency of 11.5 kHz and bath temperature of 135 mK, is operated in the high coupling limit so that the SQUID back-action noise overcomes the intrinsic resonator thermal noise. The effect of correlations between the amplifier noise sources clearly show up in the experimental data, as well as the interplay of the amplifier noise with the resonator thermal noise. The lowest temperature achieved by feedback is 14 μK, corresponding to 26 resonator photons, and approaches the limit imposed by the noise energy of the SQUID amplifier.

SiGe Integrated Circuit Developments for SQUID/TES Readout

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prêle, D.; Voisin, F.; Beillimaz, C.; Chen, S.; Piat, M.; Goldwurm, A.; Laurent, P.

2018-03-01

SiGe integrated circuits dedicated to the readout of superconducting bolometer arrays for astrophysics have been developed since more than 10 years at APC. Whether for Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) observations with the QUBIC ground-based experiment (Aumont et al. in astro-ph.IM, 2016. arXiv:1609.04372) or for the Hot and Energetic Universe science theme with the X-IFU instrument on-board of the ATHENA space mission (Barret et al. in SPIE 9905, space telescopes & instrumentation 2016: UV to γ Ray, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2232432), several kinds of Transition Edge Sensor (TES) (Irwin and Hilton, in ENSS (ed) Cryogenic particle detection, Springer, Berlin, 2005) arrays have been investigated. To readout such superconducting detector arrays, we use time or frequency domain multiplexers (TDM, FDM) (Prêle in JINST 10:C08015, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-0221/10/08/C08015) with Superconducting QUantum Interference Devices (SQUID). In addition to the SQUID devices, low-noise biasing and amplification are needed. These last functions can be obtained by using BiCMOS SiGe technology in an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). ASIC technology allows integration of highly optimised circuits specifically designed for a unique application. Moreover, we could reach very low-noise and wide band amplification using SiGe bipolar transistor either at room or cryogenic temperatures (Cressler in J Phys IV 04(C6):C6-101, 1994. https://doi.org/10.1051/jp4:1994616). This paper discusses the use of SiGe integrated circuits for SQUID/TES readout and gives an update of the last developments dedicated to the QUBIC telescope and to the X-IFU instrument. Both ASIC called SQmux128 and AwaXe are described showing the interest of such SiGe technology for SQUID multiplexer controls.

Design, fabrication and characterization of a 64 pixel metallic magnetic calorimeter array with integrated, on-chip microwave SQUID multiplexer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kempf, S.; Wegner, M.; Deeg, L.; Fleischmann, A.; Gastaldo, L.; Herrmann, F.; Richter, D.; Enss, C.

2017-06-01

We report on the design, fabrication and characterization of a 64 pixel metallic magnetic calorimeter array that is read out by an integrated, on-chip microwave SQUID multiplexer. Based on the results of our comprehensive device characterization we refined the state-of-the-art multiplexer model which assumes each associated non-hysteretic rf-SQUID to purely behave as a flux-dependent inductor. In particular, we include the capacitance and the subgap resistance of the Josephson junction as well as screening effects and parasitic mutual couplings between different coils that show up only when a superconducting flux transformer is attached to the SQUID input. Thanks to these modifications, we are able to explain the occurrence of a magnetic flux dependence of the internal quality factor of the microwave resonators as well as to accurately calculate the characteristic multiplexer parameters. When combining the refined multiplexer model with the thermodynamical description of a metallic magnetic calorimeter, we find a reasonable agreement between our measurements and predictions.

Microwave photon generation in a doubly tunable superconducting resonator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Svensson, I.-M.; Pierre, M.; Simoen, M.; Wustmann, W.; Krantz, P.; Bengtsson, A.; Johansson, G.; Bylander, J.; Shumeiko, V.; Delsing, P.

2018-03-01

We have created a doubly tunable resonator, with the intention to simulate relativistic motion of the resonator boundaries in real space. Our device is a superconducting coplanar-waveguide microwave resonator, with fundamental resonant frequency ω 1 /(2π) ~ 5 GHz. Both of its ends are terminated to ground via dc-SQUIDs, which serve as magnetic-flux-controlled inductances. Applying a flux to either SQUID allows the tuning of ω 1 /(2π) by approximately 700 MHz. Using two separate on-chip magnetic-flux lines, we modulate the SQUIDs with two tones of equal frequency, close to 2ω 1. We observe photon generation, at ω 1, above a certain pump amplitude threshold. By varying the relative phase of the two pumps we are able to control this threshold, in good agreement with a theoretical model. At the same time, some of our observations deviate from the theoretical predictions, which we attribute to parasitic couplings resulting in current driving of the SQUIDs.

Progress towards an electron electric dipole moment search in Europium-Barium Titanates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eckel, Stephen; Sushkov, Alexander; Lamoreaux, Steven

2012-06-01

We report on recent progress on a search for the electron's electric dipole moment (eEDM) using solid- state Eu0.5Ba0.5TiO3. This material has many desirable properties including ferroelectricity below 200 K and paramagnetism above 1.8 K. When the sample has a non-zero electric polarization, the seven unpaired 4f electrons of the Eu^2+ ions in the lattice feel a large effective electric field of order 10 MV/cm in the direction of the polarization. This causes the electron spins to align with the electric polarization and generate a magnetization, which is measured using DC SQUID magnetometers. We will detail measurements of systematic effects along with recent results toward a measurement of the eEDM.

Note: A sample holder design for sensitive magnetic measurements at high temperatures in a magnetic properties measurement system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Arauzo, A.; Guerrero, E.; Urtizberea, A.

2012-06-15

A sample holder design for high temperature measurements in a commercial MPMS SQUID magnetometer from Quantum Design is presented. It fulfills the requirements for the simultaneous use of the oven and reciprocating sample option (RSO) options, thus allowing sensitive magnetic measurements up to 800 K. Alternating current susceptibility can also be measured, since the holder does not induce any phase shift relative to the ac driven field. It is easily fabricated by twisting Constantan Copyright-Sign wires into a braid nesting the sample inside. This design ensures that the sample be placed tightly into a tough holder with its orientation fixed,more » and prevents any sample displacement during the fast movements of the RSO transport, up to high temperatures.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pierson, Stephen A.; Nacham, Omprakash; Clark, Kevin D.

Magnetic ionic liquids (MILs) are distinguished from traditional ionic liquids (ILs) by the incorporation of a paramagnetic component within their chemical structure. Hydrophobic MILs are novel solvents that can be used in many applications, including liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) and catalysis. Low viscosity and low water solubility are essential features that determine their feasibility in LLE. Here, we synthesized extremely hydrophobic MILs by using transition and rare earth metal hexafluoroacetylacetonate chelated anions paired with the trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium ([P 66614 +]) cation. Hydrophobic MILs exhibiting water solubilities less than 0.01% (v/v) were synthesized in a rapid two-step procedure. Furthermore, the viscosities of themore » MILs are among some of the lowest ever reported for hydrophobic MILs (276.5–927.9 centipoise (cP) at 23.7 °C) dramatically improving the ease of handling these liquids. For the first time, the magnetic properties of MILs possessing hexafluoroacetylacetonate chelated metal anions synthesized in this study are reported using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. We also achieved an effective magnetic moments (μ eff) as high as 9.7 and 7.7 Bohr magnetons (μ B) by incorporating high spin dysprosium and gadolinium ions, respectively, into the anion component of the MIL. The low viscosity, high hydrophobicity, and large magnetic susceptibility of these MILs make them highly attractive and promising solvents for separations and purification, liquid electrochromic materials, catalytic studies, as well as microfluidic applications.« less

Superparamagnetic behavior of Fe-doped SnO2 nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hachisu, M.; Onuma, K.; Kondo, T.; Miike, K.; Miyasaka, T.; Mori, K.; Ichiyanagi, Y.

2014-02-01

SnO2 is an n-type semiconductor with a wide band gap of 3.62 eV, and SnO2 nanoparticles doped with magnetic ions are expected to realized new diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMSs). Realizing ferromagnetism at room temperature is important for spintronics device applications, and it is interesting that the magnetic properties of these DMS systems can be varied significantly by modifying the preparation methods or conditions. In this study, the magnetic properties of Fe-doped (3% and 5%) SnO2 nanoparticles, prepared using our novel chemical preparation method and encapsulated in amorphous SiO2, were investigated. The particle size (1.8-16.9 nm) and crystal phase were controlled by the annealing temperature. X-ray diffraction confirmed a rutile SnO2 single-phase structure for samples annealed at 1073-1373 K, and the composition was confirmed using X-ray fluorescence analysis. SQUID magnetometer measurements revealed superparamagnetic behavior of the 5%-Fe-doped sample at room temperature, although SnO2 is known to be diamagnetic. Magnetization curves at 5 K indicated that the 3%-Fe-doped has a larger magnetization than that of the 5%-Fe-doped sample. We conclude that the magnetization of the 5%-Fe-doped sample decreased at 5 K due to the superexchange interaction between the antiferromagnetic coupling in the nanoparticle system.

Surface enhanced Raman scattering activity of dual-functional Fe3O4/Au composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Li-Ping; Huang, Yu-Bin; Lai, Ying-Huang

2018-03-01

There is a high demand for multifunctional materials that can integrate sample collection and sensing. In this study, magnetic Fe3O4 clusters were fabricated using a simple solvent-thermal method. The effect of the reductant (sodium citrate, SC) on the structure and morphology of Fe3O4 was examined by the variation in the reagent amount. The resulting Fe3O4 clusters were functionalized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) to anchor Au nanoparticles to its surface. The fabricated composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. Dual-functional Fe3O4/Au clusters were obtained, effectively combining magnetic and plasmonic optical properties. The magnetic Fe3O4 cluster cores permitted the adsorption of the probe molecules, while sample concentration and collection were carried out under an external magnetic field. In addition, 4-nitrothiophenol (4-NTP) was chosen as the probe molecule to examine the analyte concentration ability and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity of the Fe3O4/Au composites. The results indicated that the Fe3O4/Au clusters exhibit a prominent SERS effect. The best 4-NTP detection limit obtained was 1 × 10-8 M, with a corresponding SERS analytical enhancement factor (AEF) exceeding 2 × 105.

Electromagnetic induction imaging with a radio-frequency atomic magnetometer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Deans, Cameron; Marmugi, Luca, E-mail: l.marmugi@ucl.ac.uk; Hussain, Sarah

2016-03-07

We report on a compact, tunable, and scalable to large arrays imaging device, based on a radio-frequency optically pumped atomic magnetometer operating in magnetic induction tomography modality. Imaging of conductive objects is performed at room temperature, in an unshielded environment and without background subtraction. Conductivity maps of target objects exhibit not only excellent performance in terms of shape reconstruction but also demonstrate detection of sub-millimetric cracks and penetration of conductive barriers. The results presented here demonstrate the potential of a future generation of imaging instruments, which combine magnetic induction tomography and the unmatched performance of atomic magnetometers.

SQUIDs in biomagnetism: a roadmap towards improved healthcare

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Körber, Rainer; Storm, Jan-Hendrik; Seton, Hugh; Mäkelä, Jyrki P.; Paetau, Ritva; Parkkonen, Lauri; Pfeiffer, Christoph; Riaz, Bushra; Schneiderman, Justin F.; Dong, Hui; Hwang, Seong-min; You, Lixing; Inglis, Ben; Clarke, John; Espy, Michelle A.; Ilmoniemi, Risto J.; Magnelind, Per E.; Matlashov, Andrei N.; Nieminen, Jaakko O.; Volegov, Petr L.; Zevenhoven, Koos C. J.; Höfner, Nora; Burghoff, Martin; Enpuku, Keiji; Yang, S. Y.; Chieh, Jen-Jei; Knuutila, Jukka; Laine, Petteri; Nenonen, Jukka

2016-11-01

Globally, the demand for improved health care delivery while managing escalating costs is a major challenge. Measuring the biomagnetic fields that emanate from the human brain already impacts the treatment of epilepsy, brain tumours and other brain disorders. This roadmap explores how superconducting technologies are poised to impact health care. Biomagnetism is the study of magnetic fields of biological origin. Biomagnetic fields are typically very weak, often in the femtotesla range, making their measurement challenging. The earliest in vivo human measurements were made with room-temperature coils. In 1963, Baule and McFee (1963 Am. Heart J. 55 95-6) reported the magnetic field produced by electric currents in the heart (‘magnetocardiography’), and in 1968, Cohen (1968 Science 161 784-6) described the magnetic field generated by alpha-rhythm currents in the brain (‘magnetoencephalography’). Subsequently, in 1970, Cohen et al (1970 Appl. Phys. Lett. 16 278-80) reported the recording of a magnetocardiogram using a Superconducting QUantum Interference Device (SQUID). Just two years later, in 1972, Cohen (1972 Science 175 664-6) described the use of a SQUID in magnetoencephalography. These last two papers set the scene for applications of SQUIDs in biomagnetism, the subject of this roadmap. The SQUID is a combination of two fundamental properties of superconductors. The first is flux quantization—the fact that the magnetic flux Φ in a closed superconducting loop is quantized in units of the magnetic flux quantum, Φ0 ≡ h/2e, ≈ 2.07 × 10-15 Tm2 (Deaver and Fairbank 1961 Phys. Rev. Lett. 7 43-6, Doll R and Näbauer M 1961 Phys. Rev. Lett. 7 51-2). Here, h is the Planck constant and e the elementary charge. The second property is the Josephson effect, predicted in 1962 by Josephson (1962 Phys. Lett. 1 251-3) and observed by Anderson and Rowell (1963 Phys. Rev. Lett. 10 230-2) in 1963. The Josephson junction consists of two weakly coupled superconductors separated by a tunnel barrier or other weak link. A tiny electric current is able to flow between the superconductors as a supercurrent, without developing a voltage across them. At currents above the ‘critical current’ (maximum supercurrent), however, a voltage is developed. In 1964, Jaklevic et al (1964 Phys. Rev. Lett. 12 159-60) observed quantum interference between two Josephson junctions connected in series on a superconducting loop, giving birth to the dc SQUID. The essential property of the SQUID is that a steady increase in the magnetic flux threading the loop causes the critical current to oscillate with a period of one flux quantum. In today’s SQUIDs, using conventional semiconductor readout electronics, one can typically detect a change in Φ corresponding to 10-6 Φ0 in one second. Although early practical SQUIDs were usually made from bulk superconductors, for example, niobium or Pb-Sn solder blobs, today’s devices are invariably made from thin superconducting films patterned with photolithography or even electron lithography. An extensive description of SQUIDs and their applications can be found in the SQUID Handbooks (Clarke and Braginski 2004 Fundamentals and Technology of SQUIDs and SQUID Systems vol I (Weinheim, Germany: Wiley-VCH), Clarke and Braginski 2006 Applications of SQUIDs and SQUID Systems vol II (Weinheim, Germany: Wiley-VCH)). The roadmap begins (chapter 1) with a brief review of the state-of-the-art of SQUID-based magnetometers and gradiometers for biomagnetic measurements. The magnetic field noise referred to the pick-up loop is typically a few fT Hz-1/2, often limited by noise in the metallized thermal insulation of the dewar rather than by intrinsic SQUID noise. The authors describe a pathway to achieve an intrinsic magnetic field noise as low as 0.1 fT Hz-1/2, approximately the Nyquist noise of the human body. They also descibe a technology to defeat dewar noise. Chapter 2 reviews the neuroscientific and clinical use of magnetoencephalography (MEG), by far the most widespread application of biomagnetism with systems containing typically 300 sensors cooled to liquid-helium temperature, 4.2 K. Two important clinical applications are presurgical mapping of focal epilepsy and of eloquent cortex in brain-tumor patients. Reducing the sensor-to-brain separation and the system noise level would both improve spatial resolution. The very recent commercial innovation that replaces the need for frequent manual transfer of liquid helium with an automated system that collects and liquefies the gas and transfers the liquid to the dewar will make MEG systems more accessible. A highly promising means of placing the sensors substantially closer to the scalp for MEG is to use high-transition-temperature (high-T c) SQUID sensors and flux transformers (chapter 3). Operation of these devices at liquid-nitrogen temperature, 77 K, enables one to minimize or even omit metallic thermal insulation between the sensors and the dewar. Noise levels of a few fT Hz-1/2 have already been achieved, and lower values are likely. The dewars can be made relatively flexible, and thus able to be placed close to the skull irrespective of the size of the head, potentially providing higher spatial resolution than liquid-helium based systems. The successful realization of a commercial high-T c MEG system would have a major commercial impact. Chapter 4 introduces the concept of SQUID-based ultra-low-field magnetic resonance imaging (ULF MRI) operating at typically several kHz, some four orders of magnitude lower than conventional, clinical MRI machines. Potential advantages of ULF MRI include higher image contrast than for conventional MRI, enabling methodologies not currently available. Examples include screening for cancer without a contrast agent, imaging traumatic brain injury (TBI) and degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, and determining the elapsed time since a stroke. The major current problem with ULF MRI is that its signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is low compared with high-field MRI. Realistic solutions to this problem are proposed, including implementing sensors with a noise level of 0.1 fT Hz-1/2. A logical and exciting prospect (chapter 5) is to combine MEG and ULF MRI into a single system in which both signal sources are detected with the same array of SQUIDs. A prototype system is described. The combination of MEG and ULF MRI allows one to obtain structural images of the head concurrently with the recording of brain activity. Since all MEG images require an MRI to determine source locations underlying the MEG signal, the combined modality would give a precise registration of the two images; the combination of MEG with high-field MRI can produce registration errors as large as 5 mm. The use of multiple sensors for ULF MRI increases both the SNR and the field of view. Chapter 6 describes another potentially far-reaching application of ULF MRI, namely neuronal current imaging (NCI) of the brain. Currently available neuronal imaging techniques include MEG, which is fast but has relatively poor spatial resolution, perhaps 10 mm, and functional MRI (fMRI) which has a millimeter resolution but is slow, on the order of seconds, and furthermore does not directly measure neuronal signals. NCI combines the ability of direct measurement of MEG with the spatial precision of MRI. In essence, the magnetic fields generated by neural currents shift the frequency of the magnetic resonance signal at a location that is imaged by the three-dimensional magnetic field gradients that form the basis of MRI. The currently achieved sensitivity of NCI is not quite sufficient to realize its goal, but it is close. The realization of NCI would represent a revolution in functional brain imaging. Improved techniques for immunoassay are always being sought, and chapter 7 introduces an entirely new topic, magnetic nanoparticles for immunoassay. These particles are bio-funtionalized, for example with a specific antibody which binds to its corresponding antigen, if it is present. Any resulting changes in the properties of the nanoparticles are detected with a SQUID. For liquid-phase detection, there are three basic methods: AC susceptibility, magnetic relaxation and remanence measurement. These methods, which have been successfully implemented for both in vivo and ex vivo applications, are highly sensitive and, although further development is required, it appears highly likely that at least some of them will be commercialized. Chapter 8 concludes the roadmap with an assessment of the commercial market for MEG systems. Despite the huge advances that have been realized since MEG was first introduced, the number of commercial systems deployed around the world remains small, around 250 units employing about 50 000 SQUIDs. The slow adoption of this technology is undoubtedly in part due to the high cost, not least because of the need to surround the entire system in an expensive magnetically shielded room. Nonetheless, the recent introduction of automatically refilling liquid-helium systems, the ongoing reduction in sensor noise, the potential availability of high-T c SQUID systems, the availability of new and better software and the combination of MEG with ULF MRI all have the potential to increase the market size in the not-so-distant future. In particular, there is a great and growing need for better noninvasive technologies to measure brain function. There are hundreds of millions of people in the world who suffer from brain disorders such as epilepsy, stroke, dementia or depression. The enormous cost to society of these diseases can be reduced by earlier and more accurate detection and diagnosis. Once the challenges outlined in this roadmap have been met and the outstanding problems have been solved, the potential demand for SQUID-based health technology can be expected to increase by ten- if not hundred-fold.

Tunable resonant and non-resonant interactions between a phase qubit and LC resonator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Allman, Michael Shane; Whittaker, Jed D.; Castellanos-Beltran, Manuel; Cicak, Katarina; da Silva, Fabio; Defeo, Michael; Lecocq, Florent; Sirois, Adam; Teufel, John; Aumentado, Jose; Simmonds, Raymond W.

2014-03-01

We use a flux-biased radio frequency superconducting quantum interference device (rf SQUID) with an embedded flux-biased direct current (dc) SQUID to generate strong resonant and non-resonant tunable interactions between a phase qubit and a lumped-element resonator. The rf-SQUID creates a tunable magnetic susceptibility between the qubit and resonator providing resonant coupling rates from zero to near the ultra-strong coupling regime. By modulating the magnetic susceptibility, non-resonant parametric coupling achieves rates > 100 MHz . Nonlinearity of the magnetic susceptibility also leads to parametric coupling at subharmonics of the qubit-resonator detuning. Controllable coupling is generically important for constructing coupled-mode systems ubiquitous in physics, useful for both, quantum information architectures and quantum simulators. This work supported by NIST and NSA grant EAO140639.

Generation of three-qubit Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger states of superconducting qubits by using dressed states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Xu; Chen, Ye-Hong; Shi, Zhi-Cheng; Shan, Wu-Jiang; Song, Jie; Xia, Yan

2017-12-01

Combining the advantages of the dressed states and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) qubits, we propose an efficient scheme to generate Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) states for three SQUID qubits. Firstly, we elaborate how to generate GHZ states of three SQUID qubits by choosing a set of dressed states suitably. Then, we compare the scheme by using dressed states with that via the adiabatic passage. Lastly, the influence of various decoherence factors, such as cavity decay, spontaneous emission and dephasing, is analyzed numerically. All of the results show that the GHZ state can be obtained fast and with high fidelity and that the present scheme is robust against the cavity decay and spontaneous emission. In addition, our scheme is more stable against the dephasing than the adiabatic scheme.

Multiplexing of Hot-Electron Nanobolometers Using Microwave SQUIDs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Karasik, Boris S.; Day, Peter K.; Kawamura, Jonathan H.; Bumble, Bruce; LeDuc, Henry G.

2009-01-01

We have obtained the first data on the multiplexed operation of titanium hot-electron bolometers (HEB). Because of their low thermal conductance and small electron heat capacity nanobolometers are particularly interesting as sensors for far-infrared spectroscopy and mid- and near-IR calorimetry. However, the short time constant of these devices (approximately microseconds at 300-400 mK) makes time domain or audio-frequency domain multiplexing impractical. The Microwave SQUID (MSQUID) approach pursued in this work uses dc SQUIDs coupled to X-band microresonators which are, in turn, coupled to a transmission line. We used a 4-element array of Ti HEBs operated at 415 mK in a He3 dewar with an optical fiber access. The microwave signal exhibited 10-MHz wide resonances at individual MSQUD frequencies between 9 GHz and 10 GHz. The resonance depth is modulated by the current through the bolometer via a change of the SQUID flux state. The transmitted signal was amplified by a cryogenic amplifier and downconverted to baseband using an IQ mixer. A 1-dB per ??/2 responsivity was sufficient for keeping the system noise at the level of 2 pA/Hz1/2. This is more than an order of magnitude smaller than phonon noise in the HEB. The devices were able to detect single near- IR photons (1550 nm) with a time constant of 3.5 ?s. Follow-on work will scale the array to larger size and will address the microwave frequency signal generation and processing using a digital transceiver.

Fabrication of high T(sub c) superconductor thin film devices: Center director's discretionary fund

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sisk, R. C.

1992-01-01

This report describes a technique for fabricating superconducting weak link devices with micron-sized geometries etched in laser ablated Y1Ba2Cu3O(x) (YBCO) thin films. Careful placement of the weak link over naturally occurring grain boundaries exhibited in some YBCO thin films produces Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUID's) operating at 77 K.

A game-theoretic approach for calibration of low-cost magnetometers under noise uncertainty

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siddharth, S.; Ali, A. S.; El-Sheimy, N.; Goodall, C. L.; Syed, Z. F.

2012-02-01

Pedestrian heading estimation is a fundamental challenge in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-denied environments. Additionally, the heading observability considerably degrades in low-speed mode of operation (e.g. walking), making this problem even more challenging. The goal of this work is to improve the heading solution when hand-held personal/portable devices, such as cell phones, are used for positioning and to improve the heading estimation in GNSS-denied signal environments. Most smart phones are now equipped with self-contained, low cost, small size and power-efficient sensors, such as magnetometers, gyroscopes and accelerometers. A magnetometer needs calibration before it can be properly employed for navigation purposes. Magnetometers play an important role in absolute heading estimation and are embedded in many smart phones. Before the users navigate with the phone, a calibration is invoked to ensure an improved signal quality. This signal is used later in the heading estimation. In most of the magnetometer-calibration approaches, the motion modes are seldom described to achieve a robust calibration. Also, suitable calibration approaches fail to discuss the stopping criteria for calibration. In this paper, the following three topics are discussed in detail that are important to achieve proper magnetometer-calibration results and in turn the most robust heading solution for the user while taking care of the device misalignment with respect to the user: (a) game-theoretic concepts to attain better filter parameter tuning and robustness in noise uncertainty, (b) best maneuvers with focus on 3D and 2D motion modes and related challenges and (c) investigation of the calibration termination criteria leveraging the calibration robustness and efficiency.

Development of a superconducting position sensor for the Satellite Test of the Equivalence Principle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clavier, Odile Helene

The Satellite Test of the Equivalence Principle (STEP) is a joint NASA/ESA mission that proposes to measure the differential acceleration of two cylindrical test masses orbiting the earth in a drag-free satellite to a precision of 10-18 g. Such an experiment would conceptually reproduce Galileo's tower of Pisa experiment with a much longer time of fall and greatly reduced disturbances. The superconducting test masses are constrained in all degrees of freedom except their axial direction (the sensitive axis) using superconducting bearings. The STEP accelerometer measures the differential position of the masses in their sensitive direction using superconducting inductive pickup coils coupled to an extremely sensitive magnetometer called a DC-SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device). Position sensor development involves the design, manufacture and calibration of pickup coils that will meet the acceleration sensitivity requirement. Acceleration sensitivity depends on both the displacement sensitivity and stiffness of the position sensor. The stiffness must kept small while maintaining stability of the accelerometer. Using a model for the inductance of the pickup coils versus displacement of the test masses, a computer simulation calculates the sensitivity and stiffness of the accelerometer in its axial direction. This simulation produced a design of pickup coils for the four STEP accelerometers. Manufacture of the pickup coils involves standard photolithography techniques modified for superconducting thin-films. A single-turn pickup coil was manufactured and produced a successful superconducting coil using thin-film Niobium. A low-temperature apparatus was developed with a precision position sensor to measure the displacement of a superconducting plate (acting as a mock test mass) facing the coil. The position sensor was designed to detect five degrees of freedom so that coupling could be taken into account when measuring the translation of the plate relative to the coil. The inductance was measured using a DC-SQUID coupled to the pickup coil. The experimental results agree with the model used in the simulation thereby validating the concept used for the design. The STEP program now has the confidence necessary to design and manufacture a position sensor for the flight accelerometer.

The MJS-77 magnetometer actuator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stange, W. C.

1977-01-01

A two-position (0 deg and 180 deg) actuating mechanism (flipper) driven by alternately-heated wax motors (pellets) used to rotate the low field triaxial fluxgate magnetometer experiment on the 1977 Mariner Jupiter-Saturn spacecraft to its 0 deg and 180 deg positions is described. The magnetic field, power requirements, weight and volume of this device are discussed. The problems encountered in design and development of this mechanism are presented.

Demonstration of the Berkeley UXO Discrimination at Live Sites

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-02-01

BUD then occupied each of the 11 points and acquired a stationary measurement. The cart was equipped with a two-component tiltmeter and three...component magnetometer. Both devices were calibrated before the survey. The tiltmeters readings were used to compute the cart pitch (positive pitch...cart front down = negative tiltmeter change), and roll (positive=cart rightside down - positive tiltmeter change). The magnetometer values were used to

High-Resolution Displacement Sensor Using a SQUID Array Amplifier

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chui, Talso; Penanen, Konstantin; Barmatz, M.; Paik, Ho Jung

2004-01-01

Improvement in the measurement of displacement has profound implications for both exploration technologies and fundamental physics. For planetary exploration, the new SQUID-based capacitive displacement sensor will enable a more sensitive gravity gradiometer for mapping the interior of planets and moons. A new concept of a superfluid clock to be reported by Penanen and Chui at this workshop is also based on a high-resolution displacement sensor. Examples of high-impact physics projects that can benefit from a better displacement sensor are: detection of gravitational waves, test of the equivalence principle, search for the postulated "axion" particle, and test of the inverse square law of gravity. We describe the concept of a new displacement sensor that makes use of a recent development in the Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) technology. The SQUID array amplifier, invented by Welty and Martinis (IEEE Trans. Appl. Superconductivity 3, 2605, 1993), has about the same noise as a conventional SQUID; however, it can work at a much higher frequency of up to 5 MHz. We explain how the higher bandwidth can be translated into higher resolution using a bridge-balancing scheme that can simultaneously balance out both the carrier signal at the bridge output and the electrostatic force acting on the test mass.

Improved Readout Scheme for SQUID-Based Thermometry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Penanen, Konstantin

2007-01-01

An improved readout scheme has been proposed for high-resolution thermometers, (HRTs) based on the use of superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) to measure temperature- dependent magnetic susceptibilities. The proposed scheme would eliminate counting ambiguities that arise in the conventional scheme, while maintaining the superior magnetic-flux sensitivity of the conventional scheme. The proposed scheme is expected to be especially beneficial for HRT-based temperature control of multiplexed SQUIDbased bolometer sensor arrays. SQUID-based HRTs have become standard for measuring and controlling temperatures in the sub-nano-Kelvin temperature range in a broad range of low-temperature scientific and engineering applications. A typical SQUIDbased HRT that utilizes the conventional scheme includes a coil wound on a core made of a material that has temperature- dependent magnetic susceptibility in the temperature range of interest. The core and the coil are placed in a DC magnetic field provided either by a permanent magnet or as magnetic flux inside a superconducting outer wall. The aforementioned coil is connected to an input coil of a SQUID. Changes in temperature lead to changes in the susceptibility of the core and to changes in the magnetic flux detected by the SQUID. The SQUID readout instrumentation is capable of measuring magnetic-flux changes that correspond to temperature changes down to a noise limit .0.1 nK/Hz1/2. When the flux exceeds a few fundamental flux units, which typically corresponds to a temperature of .100 nK, the SQUID is reset. The temperature range can be greatly expanded if the reset events are carefully tracked and counted, either by a computer running appropriate software or by a dedicated piece of hardware.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kirtley, John R., E-mail: jkirtley@stanford.edu; Rosenberg, Aaron J.; Palmstrom, Johanna C.

Superconducting QUantum Interference Device (SQUID) microscopy has excellent magnetic field sensitivity, but suffers from modest spatial resolution when compared with other scanning probes. This spatial resolution is determined by both the size of the field sensitive area and the spacing between this area and the sample surface. In this paper we describe scanning SQUID susceptometers that achieve sub-micron spatial resolution while retaining a white noise floor flux sensitivity of ≈2μΦ{sub 0}/Hz{sup 1/2}. This high spatial resolution is accomplished by deep sub-micron feature sizes, well shielded pickup loops fabricated using a planarized process, and a deep etch step that minimizes themore » spacing between the sample surface and the SQUID pickup loop. We describe the design, modeling, fabrication, and testing of these sensors. Although sub-micron spatial resolution has been achieved previously in scanning SQUID sensors, our sensors not only achieve high spatial resolution but also have integrated modulation coils for flux feedback, integrated field coils for susceptibility measurements, and batch processing. They are therefore a generally applicable tool for imaging sample magnetization, currents, and susceptibilities with higher spatial resolution than previous susceptometers.« less

Carbon isotope evidence for a magmatic origin for Archaean gold-quartz vein ore deposits

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burrows, D. R.; Wood, P. C.; Spooner, E. T. C.

1986-01-01

Sediments from three sites in the Santa Barbara Basin were examined with a 160X power light microscope and TEM equipment to characterize the magnetostatic bacteria (MB) in the samples. Both the free magnetite and the crystals in the MB in the samples had lengths from 40-60 nm in length and increased in size from one end to the next. An intact magnetosome was also observed. Scanning the sediments with saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) and altering field demagnetization techniques using a SQUID magnetometer yielded coercivity spectra which showed that the primary remanence carrier in the sediments was single domain magnetite. Although it is expected that the predominance of the bacterial magnetite component will decrease with depth in the open ocean basin, single-domain bacteria as old as 50 Myr have been observed in oceanic sediments.

Potential aerospace applications of high temperature superconductors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Selim, Raouf

1994-01-01

The recent discovery of High Temperature Superconductors (HTS) with superconducting transition temperature, T(sub c), above the boiling point of liquid nitrogen has opened the door for using these materials in new and practical applications. These materials have zero resistance to electric current, have the capability of carrying large currents and as such have the potential to be used in high magnetic field applications. One of the space applications that can use superconductors is electromagnetic launch of payloads to low-earth-orbit. An electromagnetic gun-type launcher can be used in small payload systems that are launched at very high velocity, while sled-type magnetically levitated launcher can be used to launch larger payloads at smaller velocities. Both types of launchers are being studied by NASA and the aerospace industry. The use of superconductors will be essential in any of these types of launchers in order to produce the large magnetic fields required to obtain large thrust forces. Low Temperature Superconductor (LTS) technology is mature enough and can be easily integrated in such systems. As for the HTS, many leading companies are currently producing HTS coils and magnets that potentially can be mass-produced for these launchers. It seems that designing and building a small-scale electromagnetic launcher is the next logical step toward seriously considering this method for launching payloads into low-earth-orbit. A second potential application is the use of HTS to build sensitive portable devices for the use in Non Destructive Evaluation (NDE). Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUID's) are the most sensitive instruments for measuring changes in magnetic flux. By using HTS in SQUID's, one will be able to design a portable unit that uses liquid nitrogen or a cryocooler pump to explore the use of gradiometers or magnetometers to detect deep cracks or corrosion in structures. A third use is the replacement of Infra-Red (IR) sensor leads on Earth Orbit Systems (EOS) with HTS leads. IR detectors on these EOS missions are cooled to a 4.2K to improve their signal to noise ratio. They are connected to data acquisitions systems using manganin wires (low thermal conductors) to reduce the heat load on the cryogen. Replacing these wires with HTS leads will increase the lifetime of these missions by about 50 percent. This is a promising application that is ready for actual implementation on such systems. The analysis also show that an the number of IR detectors increase in larger EOS systems, substantial increase in the lifetime of each mission will be realized by using HTS leads instead of the manganin ones.

The MJS-77 magnetometer actuator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stange, W. C.

1977-01-01

A two-position (0 deg and 180 deg) actuating mechanism (flipper) driven by alternately-heated wax motors (pellets) will be used to rotate the low field triaxial fluxgate magnetometer experiment on the 1977 Mariner Jupiter-Saturn spacecraft to its 0 deg and 180 deg positions. The magnetic field, power requirements, weight and volume of this device are very restrictive. The problems encountered in design and development of this mechanism are presented.

Comparison of a triaxial fluxgate magnetometer and Toftness sensometer for body surface EMF measurement.

PubMed

Zhang, John; Toftness, Dave; Snyder, Brian; Nosco, Dennis; Balcavage, Walter; Nindl, Gabi

2004-12-01

The use of magnetic fields to treat disease has intrigued mankind since the time of the ancient Greeks. More recently it has been shown that electromagnetic field (EMF) treatment aids bone healing, and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) appears to be beneficial in treating schizophrenia and depression. Since external EMFs influence internal body processes, we hypothesized that measurement of body surface EMFs might be used to detect disease states and direct the course of subsequent therapy. However, measurement of minute body surface EMFs requires use of a sensitive and well documented magnetometer. In this study we evaluated the sensitivity and frequency response of a fluxgate magnetometer with a triaxial probe for use in detecting body surface EMF and we compared the magnetometer readings with a signal from a Toftness Sensometer, operated by an experienced clinician, in the laboratory and in a clinical setting. A Peavy Audio Amplifier and variable power output Telulex signal generator were used to develop 50 microT EMFs in a three coil Merritt coil system. A calibrated magnetometer was used to set a 60 Hz 50 microT field in the coil and an ammeter was used to measure the current required to develop the 50 microT field. At frequencies other than 60 Hz, the field strength was maintained at 50 microT by adjusting the Telulex signal output to keep the current constant. The field generated was monitored using a 10 turn coil connected to an oscilloscope. The oscilloscope reading indicated that the field strength was the same at all frequencies tested. To determine if there was a correspondence between the signals detected by a fluxgate magnetometer (FGM1) and the Toftness Sensometer both devices were placed in the Merritt coil and readings were recorded from the FGM1 and compared with the ability of a highly experienced Toftness operator to detect the 50 microT field. Subsequently, in a clinical setting, FGM1 readings made by an FGM1 technician and Sensometer readings were made by 4 Toftness Sensometer operators, having various degrees of experience with this device. Each examiner obtained instrument readings from 5 different volunteers in separate chiropractic adjusting rooms. Additionally, one of the Toftness Sensometers was equipped with an integrated fluxgate magnetometer (FGM2) and this magnetometer was used to obtain a second set of EMF readings in the clinical setting. The triaxial fluxgate magnetometer was determined to be moderately responsive to changes in magnetic field frequency below 10 Hz. At frequencies above 10 Hz the readings corresponded to that of the ambient static geofield. The practitioner operating the Toftness Sensometer was unable to detect magnetic fields at high frequencies (above 10 Hz) even at very high EMFs. The fluxgate magnetometer was shown to be essentially a DC/static magnetic field detector and like all such devices it has a limited frequency range with some low level of sensitivity at very low field frequencies. The interexaminer reliability of four Toftness practitioners using the Sensometer on 5 patients showed low to moderate correlation. The fluxgate magnetometer although highly sensitive to static (DC) EMFs has only limited sensitivity to EMFs in the range of 1 to 10 Hz and is very insensitive to frequencies above 10 Hz. In laboratory comparisons of the Sensometer and the fluxgate magnetometer there was an occasional correspondence between the two instruments in detecting magnetic fields within the Merritt coil but these occasions were not reproducible. In the clinical studies there was low to moderate agreement between the clinicians using the Sensometer to diagnosing spinal conditions and there was little if any agreement between the Sensometer and the fluxgate magnetometer in detecting EMFs emanating from the volunteers body surface.

Comparison of a triaxial fluxgate magnetometer and Toftness sensometer for body surface EMF measurement

PubMed Central

Zhang, John; Toftness, Dave; Snyder, Brian; Nosco, Dennis; Balcavage, Walter; Nindl, Gabi

2004-01-01

Introduction The use of magnetic fields to treat disease has intrigued mankind since the time of the ancient Greeks. More recently it has been shown that electromagnetic field (EMF) treatment aids bone healing, and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) appears to be beneficial in treating schizophrenia and depression. Since external EMFs influence internal body processes, we hypothesized that measurement of body surface EMFs might be used to detect disease states and direct the course of subsequent therapy. However, measurement of minute body surface EMFs requires use of a sensitive and well documented magnetometer. In this study we evaluated the sensitivity and frequency response of a fluxgate magnetometer with a triaxial probe for use in detecting body surface EMF and we compared the magnetometer readings with a signal from a Toftness Sensometer, operated by an experienced clinician, in the laboratory and in a clinical setting. Methods A Peavy Audio Amplifier and variable power output Telulex signal generator were used to develop 50 μT EMFs in a three coil Merritt coil system. A calibrated magnetometer was used to set a 60 Hz 50 μT field in the coil and an ammeter was used to measure the current required to develop the 50 μT field. At frequencies other than 60 Hz, the field strength was maintained at 50 μT by adjusting the Telulex signal output to keep the current constant. The field generated was monitored using a 10 turn coil connected to an oscilloscope. The oscilloscope reading indicated that the field strength was the same at all frequencies tested. To determine if there was a correspondence between the signals detected by a fluxgate magnetometer (FGM1) and the Toftness Sensometer both devices were placed in the Merritt coil and readings were recorded from the FGM1 and compared with the ability of a highly experienced Toftness operator to detect the 50 μT field. Subsequently, in a clinical setting, FGM1 readings made by an FGM1 technician and Sensometer readings were made by 4 Toftness Sensometer operators, having various degrees of experience with this device. Each examiner obtained instrument readings from 5 different volunteers in separate chiropractic adjusting rooms. Additionally, one of the Toftness Sensometers was equipped with an integrated fluxgate magnetometer (FGM2) and this magnetometer was used to obtain a second set of EMF readings in the clinical setting. Results The triaxial fluxgate magnetometer was determined to be moderately responsive to changes in magnetic field frequency below 10 Hz. At frequencies above 10 Hz the readings corresponded to that of the ambient static geofield. The practitioner operating the Toftness Sensometer was unable to detect magnetic fields at high frequencies (above 10 Hz) even at very high EMFs. The fluxgate magnetometer was shown to be essentially a DC/static magnetic field detector and like all such devices it has a limited frequency range with some low level of sensitivity at very low field frequencies. The interexaminer reliability of four Toftness practitioners using the Sensometer on 5 patients showed low to moderate correlation. Conclusions The fluxgate magnetometer although highly sensitive to static (DC) EMFs has only limited sensitivity to EMFs in the range of 1 to 10 Hz and is very insensitive to frequencies above 10 Hz. In laboratory comparisons of the Sensometer and the fluxgate magnetometer there was an occasional correspondence between the two instruments in detecting magnetic fields within the Merritt coil but these occasions were not reproducible. In the clinical studies there was low to moderate agreement between the clinicians using the Sensometer to diagnosing spinal conditions and there was little if any agreement between the Sensometer and the fluxgate magnetometer in detecting EMFs emanating from the volunteers body surface. PMID:17549105

Scanning-SQUID investigation of spin-orbit torque acting on yttrium iron garnet devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosenberg, Aaron J.; Jermain, Colin L.; Aradhya, Sriharsha V.; Brangham, Jack T.; Nowack, Katja C.; Kirtley, John R.; Yang, Fengyuan; Ralph, Daniel C.; Moler, Kathryn A.

Successful manipulation of electrically insulating magnets, such as yttrium iron garnet, by by current-driven spin-orbit torques could provide a highly efficient platform for spintronic memory. Compared to devices fabricated using magnetic metals, magnetic insulators have the advantage of the ultra-low magnetic damping and the elimination of shunting currents in the magnet that reduce the torque efficiency. Here, we apply current in the spin Hall metal β-Ta to manipulate the magnetic orientation of micron-sized, electrically-insulating yttrium iron garnet devices. We do not observe spin-torque switching even for applied currents well above the critical current expected in a macrospin switching model. This suggests either inefficient transfer of spin torque at our Ta/YIG interface or a breakdown of the macrospin approximation. This work is supported by FAME, one of six centers of STARnet sponsored by MARCO and DARPA. The SQUID microscope and sensors were developed with support from the NSF-sponsored Center NSF-NSEC 0830228, and from NSF IMR-MIP 0957616.

White noise of Nb-based microwave superconducting quantum interference device multiplexers with NbN coplanar resonators for readout of transition edge sensors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kohjiro, Satoshi; Hirayama, Fuminori; Yamamori, Hirotake

2014-06-14

White noise of dissipationless microwave radio frequency superconducting quantum interference device (RF-SQUID) multiplexers has been experimentally studied to evaluate their readout performance for transition edge sensor (TES) photon counters ranging from near infrared to gamma ray. The characterization has been carried out at 4 K, first to avoid the low-frequency fluctuations present at around 0.1 K, and second, for a feasibility study of readout operation at 4 K for extended applications. To increase the resonant Q at 4 K and maintain low noise SQUID operation, multiplexer chips consisting of niobium nitride (NbN)-based coplanar-waveguide resonators and niobium (Nb)-based RF-SQUIDs have been developed. This hybrid multiplexermore » exhibited 1 × 10{sup 4} ≤ Q ≤ 2 × 10{sup 4} and the square root of spectral density of current noise referred to the SQUID input √S{sub I} = 31 pA/√Hz. The former and the latter are factor-of-five and seven improvements from our previous results on Nb-based resonators, respectively. Two-directional readout on the complex plane of the transmission component of scattering matrix S{sub 21} enables us to distinguish the flux noise from noise originating from other sources, such as the cryogenic high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) amplifier. Systematic noise measurements with various microwave readout powers P{sub MR} make it possible to distinguish the contribution of noise sources within the system as follows: (1) The achieved √S{sub I} is dominated by the Nyquist noise from a resistor at 4 K in parallel to the SQUID input coil which is present to prevent microwave leakage to the TES. (2) The next dominant source is either the HEMT-amplifier noise (for small values of P{sub MR}) or the quantization noise due to the resolution of 300-K electronics (for large values of P{sub MR}). By a decrease of these noise levels to a degree that is achievable by current technology, we predict that the microwave RF-SQUID multiplexer can exhibit √S{sub I} ≤ 5 pA/√Hz, i.e., close to √S{sub I} of state-of-the-art DC-SQUID-based multiplexers.« less

SQUID-based current sensing noise thermometry for quantum resistors at dilution refrigerator temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kleinbaum, Ethan; Shingla, Vidhi; Csáthy, G. A.

2017-03-01

We present a dc Superconducting QUantum Interference Device (SQUID)-based current amplifier with an estimated input referred noise of only 2.3 fA/√{Hz}. Because of such a low amplifier noise, the circuit is useful for Johnson noise thermometry of quantum resistors in the kΩ range down to mK temperatures. In particular, we demonstrate that our circuit does not contribute appreciable noise to the Johnson noise of a 3.25 kΩ resistor down to 16 mK. Our circuit is a useful alternative to the commonly used High Electron Mobility Transistor-based amplifiers, but in contrast to the latter, it offers a much reduced 1/f noise. In comparison to SQUIDs interfaced with cryogenic current comparators, our circuit has similar low noise levels, but it is easier to build and to shield from magnetic pickup.

Investigation of properties of nanobridge Josephson junctions and superconducting tracks fabricated by FIB

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, B.; Godfrey, T.; Cox, D.; Li, T.; Gallop, J.; Galer, S.; Nisbet, A.; Romans, Ed; Hao, L.

2018-02-01

An important requirement across a range of sensitive detectors is to determine accurately the energy deposited by the impact of a particle in a small volume. The particle may be anything from a visible photon through to an X-ray or massive charged particle. We have been developing nanobridge Josephson junctions based SQUIDs and nanoSQUID devices covering the entire range of particle detection energies from 1eV to MeV. In this paper we discuss some developments in nanobridge Josephson junctions fabrication using focussed ion beam (FIB) and how these developments impact future applications. We focus on tuning of the transition temperature of a superconducting thin-film absorber, with the aim to match the absorber Tc to the working temperature range of the SQUID and also on using a new Xe FIB to improve Josephson junction and superconducting film quality.

Noise of a superconducting magnetic flux sensor based on a proximity Josephson junction.

PubMed

Jabdaraghi, R N; Golubev, D S; Pekola, J P; Peltonen, J T

2017-08-14

We demonstrate simultaneous measurements of DC transport properties and flux noise of a hybrid superconducting magnetometer based on the proximity effect (superconducting quantum interference proximity transistor, SQUIPT). The noise is probed by a cryogenic amplifier operating in the frequency range of a few MHz. In our non-optimized device, we achieve minimum flux noise ~4 μΦ 0 /Hz 1/2 , set by the shot noise of the probe tunnel junction. The flux noise performance can be improved by further optimization of the SQUIPT parameters, primarily minimization of the proximity junction length and cross section. Furthermore, the experiment demonstrates that the setup can be used to investigate shot noise in other nonlinear devices with high impedance. This technique opens the opportunity to measure sensitive magnetometers including SQUIPT devices with very low dissipation.

Development of High Resolution Eddy Current Imaging Using an Electro-Mechanical Sensor (Preprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-11-01

The Fluxgate Magnetometer ,” J. Phys. E: Sci. Instrum., Vol. 12: 241-253. 13. A. Abedi, J. J. Fellenstein, A. J. Lucas, and J. P. Wikswo, Jr., “A...206 (2006). 11. Ripka, P., 1992, Review of Fluxgate Sensors, Sensors and Actuators, A. 33, Elsevier Sequoia: 129-141. 12. Primdahl, F., 1979...superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer system for quantitative analysis and imaging of hidden corrosion activity in aircraft aluminum

A new concept for actuating space mechanisms. [for the Mariner Jupiter-Saturn spacecraft magnetometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stange, W. C.

1975-01-01

A two position (0 and 180 deg) actuating mechanism driven by two alternately heated opposing flat NITINOL springs is proposed for rotating the low field triaxial fluxgate magnetometer experiment on the 1977 Mariner Jupiter-Saturn spacecraft to its 0 deg and 180 deg positions. The magnetic field, power requirements, weight, and volume of this device are very restrictive. The problems encountered in design and development are presented.

An atomic magnetometer with autonomous frequency stabilization and large dynamic range

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pradhan, S., E-mail: spradhan@barc.gov.in, E-mail: pradhans75@gmail.com; Poornima,; Dasgupta, K.

2015-06-15

The operation of a highly sensitive atomic magnetometer using elliptically polarized resonant light is demonstrated. It is based on measurement of zero magnetic field resonance in degenerate two level systems using polarimetric detection. The transmitted light through the polarimeter is used for laser frequency stabilization, whereas reflected light is used for magnetic field measurement. Thus, the experimental geometry allows autonomous frequency stabilization of the laser frequency leading to compact operation of the overall device and has a preliminary sensitivity of <10 pT/Hz{sup 1/2} @ 1 Hz. Additionally, the dynamic range of the device is improved by feedback controlling the biasmore » magnetic field without compromising on its sensitivity.« less

Carbon nanotubes/magnetite hybrids prepared by a facile synthesis process and their magnetic properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Li; Ni, Qing-Qing; Natsuki, Toshiaki; Fu, Yaqin

2009-07-01

In this paper, a facile synthesis process is proposed to prepare multiwalled carbon nanotubes/magnetite (MWCNTs/Fe 3O 4) hybrids. The process involves two steps: (1) water-soluble CNTs are synthesized by one-pot modification using potassium persulfate (KPS) as oxidant. (2) Fe 3O 4 is assembled along the treated CNTs by employing a facile hydrothermal process with the presence of hydrazine hydrate as the mineralizer. The treated CNTs can be easily dispersed in aqueous solvent. Moreover, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis reveals that several functional groups such as potassium carboxylate (-COOK), carbonyl (-C dbnd O) and hydroxyl (-C-OH) groups are formed on the nanotube surfaces. The MWCNTs/Fe 3O 4 hybrids are characterized with respect to crystal structure, morphology, element composition and magnetic property by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), XPS and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. XRD and TEM results show that the Fe 3O 4 nanoparticles with diameter in the range of 20-60 nm were firmly assembled on the nanotube surface. The magnetic property investigation indicated that the CNTs/Fe 3O 4 hybrids exhibit a ferromagnetic behavior and possess a saturation magnetization of 32.2 emu/g. Further investigation indicates that the size of assembled Fe 3O 4 nanoparticles can be turned by varying experiment factors. Moreover, a probable growth mechanism for the preparation of CNTs/Fe 3O 4 hybrids was discussed.

Heterogeneous Superconducting Low-Noise Sensing Coils

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hahn, Inseob; Penanen, Konstantin I.; Ho Eom, Byeong

2008-01-01

A heterogeneous material construction has been devised for sensing coils of superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometers that are subject to a combination of requirements peculiar to some advanced applications, notably including low-field magnetic resonance imaging for medical diagnosis. The requirements in question are the following: The sensing coils must be large enough (in some cases having dimensions of as much as tens of centimeters) to afford adequate sensitivity; The sensing coils must be made electrically superconductive to eliminate Johnson noise (thermally induced noise proportional to electrical resistance); and Although the sensing coils must be cooled to below their superconducting- transition temperatures with sufficient cooling power to overcome moderate ambient radiative heat leakage, they must not be immersed in cryogenic liquid baths. For a given superconducting sensing coil, this combination of requirements can be satisfied by providing a sufficiently thermally conductive link between the coil and a cold source. However, the superconducting coil material is not suitable as such a link because electrically superconductive materials are typically poor thermal conductors. The heterogeneous material construction makes it possible to solve both the electrical- and thermal-conductivity problems. The basic idea is to construct the coil as a skeleton made of a highly thermally conductive material (typically, annealed copper), then coat the skeleton with an electrically superconductive alloy (typically, a lead-tin solder) [see figure]. In operation, the copper skeleton provides the required thermally conductive connection to the cold source, while the electrically superconductive coating material shields against Johnson noise that originates in the copper skeleton.

NASA Tech Briefs, October 2007

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2007-01-01

Topics covered include; Wirelessly Interrogated Position or Displacement Sensors; Ka-Band Radar Terminal Descent Sensor; Metal/Metal Oxide Differential Electrode pH Sensors; Improved Sensing Coils for SQUIDs; Inductive Linear-Position Sensor/Limit-Sensor Units; Hilbert-Curve Fractal Antenna With Radiation- Pattern Diversity; Single-Camera Panoramic-Imaging Systems; Interface Electronic Circuitry for an Electronic Tongue; Inexpensive Clock for Displaying Planetary or Sidereal Time; Efficient Switching Arrangement for (N + 1)/N Redundancy; Lightweight Reflectarray Antenna for 7.115 and 32 GHz; Opto-Electronic Oscillator Using Suppressed Phase Modulation; Alternative Controller for a Fiber-Optic Switch; Strong, Lightweight, Porous Materials; Nanowicks; Lightweight Thermal Protection System for Atmospheric Entry; Rapid and Quiet Drill; Hydrogen Peroxide Concentrator; MMIC Amplifiers for 90 to 130 GHz; Robot Would Climb Steep Terrain; Measuring Dynamic Transfer Functions of Cavitating Pumps; Advanced Resistive Exercise Device; Rapid Engineering of Three-Dimensional, Multicellular Tissues With Polymeric Scaffolds; Resonant Tunneling Spin Pump; Enhancing Spin Filters by Use of Bulk Inversion Asymmetry; Optical Magnetometer Incorporating Photonic Crystals; WGM-Resonator/Tapered-Waveguide White-Light Sensor Optics; Raman-Suppressing Coupling for Optical Parametric Oscillator; CO2-Reduction Primary Cell for Use on Venus; Cold Atom Source Containing Multiple Magneto- Optical Traps; POD Model Reconstruction for Gray-Box Fault Detection; System for Estimating Horizontal Velocity During Descent; Software Framework for Peer Data-Management Services; Autogen Version 2.0; Tracking-Data-Conversion Tool; NASA Enterprise Visual Analysis; Advanced Reference Counting Pointers for Better Performance; C Namelist Facility; and Efficient Mosaicking of Spitzer Space Telescope Images.

Localizing on-scalp MEG sensors using an array of magnetic dipole coils.

PubMed

Pfeiffer, Christoph; Andersen, Lau M; Lundqvist, Daniel; Hämäläinen, Matti; Schneiderman, Justin F; Oostenveld, Robert

2018-01-01

Accurate estimation of the neural activity underlying magnetoencephalography (MEG) signals requires co-registration i.e., determination of the position and orientation of the sensors with respect to the head. In modern MEG systems, an array of hundreds of low-Tc SQUID sensors is used to localize a set of small, magnetic dipole-like (head-position indicator, HPI) coils that are attached to the subject's head. With accurate prior knowledge of the positions and orientations of the sensors with respect to one another, the HPI coils can be localized with high precision, and thereby the positions of the sensors in relation to the head. With advances in magnetic field sensing technologies, e.g., high-Tc SQUIDs and optically pumped magnetometers (OPM), that require less extreme operating temperatures than low-Tc SQUID sensors, on-scalp MEG is on the horizon. To utilize the full potential of on-scalp MEG, flexible sensor arrays are preferable. Conventional co-registration is impractical for such systems as the relative positions and orientations of the sensors to each other are subject-specific and hence not known a priori. Herein, we present a method for co-registration of on-scalp MEG sensors. We propose to invert the conventional co-registration approach and localize the sensors relative to an array of HPI coils on the subject's head. We show that given accurate prior knowledge of the positions of the HPI coils with respect to one another, the sensors can be localized with high precision. We simulated our method with realistic parameters and layouts for sensor and coil arrays. Results indicate co-registration is possible with sub-millimeter accuracy, but the performance strongly depends upon a number of factors. Accurate calibration of the coils and precise determination of the positions and orientations of the coils with respect to one another are crucial. Finally, we propose methods to tackle practical challenges to further improve the method.

Localizing on-scalp MEG sensors using an array of magnetic dipole coils

PubMed Central

Andersen, Lau M.; Lundqvist, Daniel; Hämäläinen, Matti; Schneiderman, Justin F.; Oostenveld, Robert

2018-01-01

Accurate estimation of the neural activity underlying magnetoencephalography (MEG) signals requires co-registration i.e., determination of the position and orientation of the sensors with respect to the head. In modern MEG systems, an array of hundreds of low-Tc SQUID sensors is used to localize a set of small, magnetic dipole-like (head-position indicator, HPI) coils that are attached to the subject’s head. With accurate prior knowledge of the positions and orientations of the sensors with respect to one another, the HPI coils can be localized with high precision, and thereby the positions of the sensors in relation to the head. With advances in magnetic field sensing technologies, e.g., high-Tc SQUIDs and optically pumped magnetometers (OPM), that require less extreme operating temperatures than low-Tc SQUID sensors, on-scalp MEG is on the horizon. To utilize the full potential of on-scalp MEG, flexible sensor arrays are preferable. Conventional co-registration is impractical for such systems as the relative positions and orientations of the sensors to each other are subject-specific and hence not known a priori. Herein, we present a method for co-registration of on-scalp MEG sensors. We propose to invert the conventional co-registration approach and localize the sensors relative to an array of HPI coils on the subject’s head. We show that given accurate prior knowledge of the positions of the HPI coils with respect to one another, the sensors can be localized with high precision. We simulated our method with realistic parameters and layouts for sensor and coil arrays. Results indicate co-registration is possible with sub-millimeter accuracy, but the performance strongly depends upon a number of factors. Accurate calibration of the coils and precise determination of the positions and orientations of the coils with respect to one another are crucial. Finally, we propose methods to tackle practical challenges to further improve the method. PMID:29746486

Superconducting resonators as beam splitters for linear-optics quantum computation.

PubMed

Chirolli, Luca; Burkard, Guido; Kumar, Shwetank; Divincenzo, David P

2010-06-11

We propose and analyze a technique for producing a beam-splitting quantum gate between two modes of a ring-resonator superconducting cavity. The cavity has two integrated superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) that are modulated by applying an external magnetic field. The gate is accomplished by applying a radio frequency pulse to one of the SQUIDs at the difference of the two mode frequencies. Departures from perfect beam splitting only arise from corrections to the rotating wave approximation; an exact calculation gives a fidelity of >0.9992. Our construction completes the toolkit for linear-optics quantum computing in circuit quantum electrodynamics.

Applications of Josephson Junction SQUIDs (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) and Arrays.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-11-01

Research, Cntract 7he transient respose is doinated by o NO. 00014-61-C-0615. and Wj. Figure 2 shows the time evolution of e a:d e M for owI, 0-1 and 5...connect a dc S 0UID "Shunted Josephson Tunel Junctions- if gh transmitter with another dc SQU D receiver by a Frequency, Self -Pvmd L Nise lifiers...resistive SQUID WVO incidentally to their self -puVzed Josepson perametric2 mplifier. Using a SQJID with 6 -2. ZmpHi, r-3xlO . and a in matching

Meissner effect measurement of single indium particle using a customized on-chip nano-scale superconducting quantum interference device system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Long; Chen, Lei; Wang, Hao; Liu, Xiaoyu; Wang, Zhen

2017-04-01

As many emergent phenomena of superconductivity appear on a smaller scale and at lower dimension, commercial magnetic property measurement systems (MPMSs) no longer provide the sensitivity necessary to study the Meissner effect of small superconductors. The nano-scale superconducting quantum interference device (nano-SQUID) is considered one of the most sensitive magnetic sensors for the magnetic characterization of mesoscopic or microscopic samples. Here, we develop a customized on-chip nano-SQUID measurement system based on a pulsed current biasing method. The noise performance of our system is approximately 4.6 × 10-17 emu/Hz1/2, representing an improvement of 9 orders of magnitude compared with that of a commercial MPMS (~10-8 emu/Hz1/2). Furthermore, we demonstrate the measurement of the Meissner effect of a single indium (In) particle (of 47 μm in diameter) using our on-chip nano-SQUID system. The system enables the observation of the prompt superconducting transition of the Meissner effect of a single In particle, thereby providing more accurate characterization of the critical field Hc and temperature Tc. In addition, the retrapping field Hre as a function of temperature T of single In particle shows disparate behavior from that of a large ensemble.

Quantum interference in an interfacial superconductor.

PubMed

Goswami, Srijit; Mulazimoglu, Emre; Monteiro, Ana M R V L; Wölbing, Roman; Koelle, Dieter; Kleiner, Reinhold; Blanter, Ya M; Vandersypen, Lieven M K; Caviglia, Andrea D

2016-10-01

The two-dimensional superconductor that forms at the interface between the complex oxides lanthanum aluminate (LAO) and strontium titanate (STO) has several intriguing properties that set it apart from conventional superconductors. Most notably, an electric field can be used to tune its critical temperature (T c ; ref. 7), revealing a dome-shaped phase diagram reminiscent of high-T c superconductors. So far, experiments with oxide interfaces have measured quantities that probe only the magnitude of the superconducting order parameter and are not sensitive to its phase. Here, we perform phase-sensitive measurements by realizing the first superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) at the LAO/STO interface. Furthermore, we develop a new paradigm for the creation of superconducting circuit elements, where local gates enable the in situ creation and control of Josephson junctions. These gate-defined SQUIDs are unique in that the entire device is made from a single superconductor with purely electrostatic interfaces between the superconducting reservoir and the weak link. We complement our experiments with numerical simulations and show that the low superfluid density of this interfacial superconductor results in a large, gate-controllable kinetic inductance of the SQUID. Our observation of robust quantum interference opens up a new pathway to understanding the nature of superconductivity at oxide interfaces.

Potential applications of microtesla magnetic resonance imaging detected using a superconducting quantum interference device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Myers, Whittier Ryan

This dissertation describes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of protons performed in a precession field of 132 muT. In order to increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), a pulsed 40-300 mT magnetic field prepolarizes the sample spins and an untuned second-order superconducting gradiometer coupled to a low transition temperature superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) detects the subsequent 5.6-kHz spin precession. Imaging sequences including multiple echoes and partial Fourier reconstruction are developed. Calculating the SNR of prepolarized SQUID-detected MRI shows that three-dimensional Fourier imaging yields higher SNR than slice-selection imaging. An experimentally demonstrated field-cycling pulse sequence and post-processing algorithm mitigate image artifacts caused by concomitant gradients in low-field MRI. The magnetic field noise of SQUID untuned detection is compared to the noise of SQUID tuned detection, conventional Faraday detection, and the Nyquist noise generated by conducting biological samples. A second-generation microtesla MRI system employing a low-noise SQUID is constructed to increase SNR. A 2.4-m cubic, eddy-current shield with 6-mm thick aluminum walls encloses the experiment to attenuate external noise. The measured noise is 0.75 fT Hz 1/2 referred to the bottom gradiometer loop. Solenoids wound from 30-strand braided wire to decrease Nyquist noise and cooled by either liquid nitrogen or water polarize the spins. Copper wire coils wound on wooden supports produce the imaging magnetic fields and field gradients. Water phantom images with 0.8 x 0.8 x 10 mm3 resolution have a SNR of 6. Three-dimensional 1.6 x 1.9 x 14 mm3 images of bell peppers and 3 x 3 x 26 mm3 in vivo images of the human arm are presented. Since contrast based on the transverse spin relaxation rate (T1 ) is enhanced at low magnetic fields, microtesla MRI could potentially be used for tumor imaging. The measured T1 of ex vivo normal and cancerous prostate tissue differ significantly at 132 muT. A single-sided MRI system designed for prostate imaging could achieve 3 x 3 x 5 mm3 resolution in 8 minutes. Existing SQUID-based magnetoencephalography (MEG) systems could be used as microtesla MRI detectors. A commercial 275-channel MEG system could acquire 6-minute brain images with (4 mm)3 resolution and SNR 16.

A dumbbell-shaped hybrid magnetometer operating in DC-10 kHz

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Hongyu; Wang, Yanzhang; Chen, Siyu; Lin, Jun

2017-12-01

This study is motivated by the need to design a hybrid magnetometer operating in a wide-frequency band from DC to 10 kHz. To achieve this objective, a residence times difference fluxgate magnetometer (RTDFM) and an induction magnetometer (IM) have been integrated into a compact form. The hybrid magnetometer has a dumbbell-shaped structure in which the RTDFM transducer is partially inserted into the tube cores of the IM. Thus, the sensitivity of the RTDFM is significantly improved due to the flux amplification. The optimal structure, which has maximum sensitivity enhancement, was obtained through FEM analysis. To validate the theoretical analysis, the optimal hybrid magnetometer was manufactured, and its performance was evaluated. The device has a sensitivity of 45 mV/nT at 1 kHz in IM mode and 0.38 μs/nT in RTDFM mode, which is approximately 3.45 times as large as that of the single RTDFM structure. Furthermore, to obtain a lower noise performance in the entire frequency band, two operation modes switch at the cross frequency (0.16 Hz) of their noise levels. The noise level is 30 pT/√Hz in RTDFM mode and 0.07 pT/√Hz at 1 kHz in IM mode.

A dumbbell-shaped hybrid magnetometer operating in DC-10 kHz.

PubMed

Shi, Hongyu; Wang, Yanzhang; Chen, Siyu; Lin, Jun

2017-12-01

This study is motivated by the need to design a hybrid magnetometer operating in a wide-frequency band from DC to 10 kHz. To achieve this objective, a residence times difference fluxgate magnetometer (RTDFM) and an induction magnetometer (IM) have been integrated into a compact form. The hybrid magnetometer has a dumbbell-shaped structure in which the RTDFM transducer is partially inserted into the tube cores of the IM. Thus, the sensitivity of the RTDFM is significantly improved due to the flux amplification. The optimal structure, which has maximum sensitivity enhancement, was obtained through FEM analysis. To validate the theoretical analysis, the optimal hybrid magnetometer was manufactured, and its performance was evaluated. The device has a sensitivity of 45 mV/nT at 1 kHz in IM mode and 0.38 μs/nT in RTDFM mode, which is approximately 3.45 times as large as that of the single RTDFM structure. Furthermore, to obtain a lower noise performance in the entire frequency band, two operation modes switch at the cross frequency (0.16 Hz) of their noise levels. The noise level is 30 pT/√Hz in RTDFM mode and 0.07 pT/√Hz at 1 kHz in IM mode.

Magnetic measurements with fluxgate 3-components magnetometers in archaeology. Multi-sensor device and associated potential field operators for large scale to centimetre investigations on the 1st millennium BC site of Qasr ʿAllam in the western desert of

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gavazzi, Bruno; Alkhatib-Alkontar, Rozan; Munschy, Marc; Colin, Frédéric; Duvette, Catherine

2016-04-01

Fluxgate 3-components magnetometers allow vector measurements of the magnetic field. Moreover, they are the magnetometers measuring the intensity of the magnetic field with the lightest weight and the lowest power consumption. Vector measurements make them the only kind of magnetometer allowing compensation of magnetic perturbations due to the equipment carried with the magnetometer. Fluxgate 3-components magnetometers are common in space magnetometry and in aero-geophysics but are never used in archaeology due to the difficulty to calibrate them. This problem is overcome by the use of a simple calibration and compensation procedure on the field developed initially for space research (after calibration and compensation, rms noise is less than 1 nT). It is therefore possible to build a multi-sensor (up to 8) and georeferenced device for investigations at different scales down to the centimetre: because the locus of magnetic measurements is less than a cubic centimetre, magnetic profiling or mapping can be performed a few centimetres outside magnetized bodies. Such an equipment is used in a context of heavy sediment coverage and uneven topography on the 1st millennium BC site of Qasr ʿAllam in the western desert of Egypt. Magnetic measurements with a line spacing of 0.5 m allow to compute a magnetic grid. Interpretation using potential field operators such as double reduction to the pole and fractional vertical derivatives reveals a widespread irrigation system and a vast cultic facility. In some areas, magnetic profiling with a 0.1 m line spacing and at 0.1 m above the ground is performed. Results of interpretations give enough proof to the local authorities to enlarge the protection of the site against the threatening progression of agricultural fields.

The front-end electronics of the LSPE-SWIPE experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fontanelli, F.; Biasotti, M.; Bevilacqua, A.; Siccardi, F.

2016-07-01

The SWIPE detector of the Ballon Borne Mission LSPE (see e.g. the contribution of P. de Bernardis et al. in this conference) intends to measure the primordial 'B-mode' polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). For this scope microwave telescopes need sensitive cryogenic bolometers with an overall equivalent noise temperature in the nK range. The detector is a spiderweb bolometer based on transition edge sensor and followed by a SQUID to perform the signal readout. This contribution will concentrate on the design, description and first tests on the front-end electronics which processes the squid output (and controls it). The squid output is first amplified by a very low noise preamplifier based on a discrete JFET input differential architecture followed by a low noise CMOS operational amplifier. Equivalent input noise density is 0.6 nV/Hz and bandwidth extends up to at least 2 MHz. Both devices (JFET and CMOS amplifier) have been tested at liquid nitrogen. The second part of the contribution will discuss design and results of the control electronics, both the flux locked loop for the squid and the slow control chain to monitor and set up the system will be reviewed.

Cross-correlation limit of a SQUID-based noise thermometer of the pMFFT type

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirste, A.; Engert, J.

2018-03-01

The primary magnetic field fluctuation thermometer (pMFFT) is a SQUID-based noise thermometer for temperatures below 1 K, which complies with metrological requirements. It combines two signal channels in order to apply the cross-correlation technique, but it requires statistically independent noise signals for proper operation. In order to check the limit of the cross-correlation readout, we have performed zero measurements in the millikelvin range in a setup that is identical to the pMFFT, except for the removed temperature sensor. We examined the influence of different parameters such as SQUID working point or flux-lock loop parameters on the minimum cross-correlation signal down to 24 mK and below 100 kHz. Depending on the configuration, typical minimum SQUID-referred cross-power spectral densities of 1.5 × 10‑15 Φ _0^2/Hz or even smaller values were observed. For the pMFFT, considering its thermal noise spectrum, these flux densities correspond to a device noise temperature of ≤2.5 µK, thereby ensuring a negligible uncertainty contribution at the lower end of the PLTS-2000 (0.9 mK).

SQUID sensor application for small metallic particle detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanaka, Saburo; Hatsukade, Yoshimi; Ohtani, Takeyoshi; Suzuki, Shuichi

2009-04-01

High-Tc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) is an ultra-sensitive magnetic sensor. Since the performance of the SQUID is improved and stabilized, now it is ready for application. One strong candidate for application is a detection system of magnetic foreign matters in industrial products or beverages. There is a possibility that ultra-small metallic foreign matter has been accidentally mixed with industrial products such as lithium ion batteries. If this happens, the manufacturer of the product suffers a great loss recalling products. The outer dimension of metallic particles less than 100 μm cannot be detected by an X-ray imaging, which is commonly used for the inspection. Ionization of the material is also a big issue for beverages in the case of the X-ray imaging. Therefore a highly sensitive and safety detection system for small foreign matters is required. We developed detection systems based on high-Tc SQUID with a high-performance magnetic shield. We could successfully measure small iron particles of 100 μm on a belt conveyer and stainless steel balls of 300 μm in water. These detection levels were hard to be achieved by a conventional X-ray detection or other methods.

Magnetic Property in Large Array Niobium Antidot Thin Films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tinghui, Chen; Hsiang-Hsi, Kung; Wei-Li, Lee; Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan Team

2014-03-01

In a superconducting ring, the total flux inside the ring is required to be an integer number of the flux quanta. Therefore, a supercurrent current can appear within the ring in order to satisfy this quantization rule, which gives rise to certain magnetic response. By using a special monolayer polymer/nanosphere hybrid we developed previously, we fabricated a series of superconducting niobium antidot thin films with different antidot diameters. The antidots form well-ordered triangular lattice with a lattice spacing about 200 nm and extend over an area larger than 1 cm2, which enables magnetic detections simply by a SQUID magnetometer. We observed magnetization oscillation with external magnetic field due to the supercurrent screening effect, where different features for large and small antidot thin films were found. Detailed size and temperature dependencies of the magnetization in niobium antidot nanostructures will be presented.

A new search for the permanent electric dipole moment of 129Xe at FRM-II

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sachdeva, N.; Chupp, T.; Degenkolb, S.; Fierlinger, P.; Kraegloh, E.; Kuchler, F.; Lins, T.; Meinel, J.; Niessen, B.; Stuiber, S.; Terrano, W. A.; Burghoff, M.; Fan, I.; Kilian, W.; Grüneberg, S.; Schnabel, A.; Seifert, F.; Stollfuss, D.; Trahms, L.; Voight, J.; Babcock, E.; Salhi, Z.; Huneau, J.; Singh, J.

2017-01-01

CP-violating sources in beyond-the-standard-model physics, necessary to explain baryon asymmetry, give rise to permanent electric dipole moments (EDMs). Precise EDM measurements of the neutron, electron, paramagnetic and diamagnetic atoms constrain CP-violating parameters. The previous limit for the 129Xe EDM is 6 ×10-27 e . cm (95 % CL). The HeXeEDM experiment at FRM-II (Munich Research Reactor) utilizes an ultralow magnetic field in a high-performance magnetically shielded room and 3He comagnetometer to improve the limit by up to three orders of magnitude. In the experiment, hyperpolarized 3He and 129Xe precession signals are detected with a SQUID magnetometer array in the presence of applied electric and magnetic fields. Recent progress will be presented. This work is supported US Department of Energy Grant No. DE FG02 04 ER41331.

Superparamagnetic behavior in Sn0.95Mg0.05O2 nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmed, Ateeq; Siddique, M. Naseem; Ali, Tinku; Tripathi, P.

2018-04-01

We have studied structural, optical and magnetic properties of Sn0.95Mg0.05O2 nanoparticles synthesized by sol-gel process. Single phase tetragonal structure of Mg doped SnO2 nanoparticles (NPs) have been inferred by X-ray diffraction, which involves Rietveld refinement analysis and average crystallite size is found to be 20.4 nm. Energy dispersive X -ray analysis confirmed the presence of Mg into host SnO2 lattice. The energy band gap is found to be wider (Eg = 3.73 eV) compared to the bulk (3.6 eV) which is due to the quantum confinement effect. The observed defects due to oxygen vacancies are studied by the photoluminescence study. The SQUID magnetometer measurements shows superparamagnetic behavior of Mg-doped SnO2 NPs at room temperature and they are single domain NPs. Our results suggest that it is possible to control the superparamagnetic properties through chemical composition.

Vacuum and low oxygen pressure influence on BaFe12O19 film deposited by pulse laser deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Pawan; Gaur, Anurag; Choudhary, R. J.

2018-05-01

BaFe12O19 hexaferrite thin films are deposited on Si (111) substrate by the pulse laser deposition (PLD) technique in high vacuum 10-6 Torr and low oxygen pressure (10 mTorr) at 650°C substrate temperature. The effects of high vacuum and low pressure on magnetic and optical properties are studied. These films are characterized by the x-ray diffractometer (XRD), SQUID-VSM magnetometer, and Photo-luminescence spectroscopy. XRD pattern reveals that the BaFe12O19 film well formed in both environments without any impurity pick. High magnetic saturazation 317 emu/cm3 and coercivity 130 Oe are observed for the film deposited in vacuum. Photoluminescence emission spectrum of BaFe12O19 film reveals that the higher intensity emission peak at ˜372 nm under the excitation wavelength of 270 nm is observed for the film grown in vacuum.

Experimental investigation of nearly monodispersed ternary Mn_{0.5}Zn_{0.5}Fe_{2}O_{4} magnetic fluid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parekh, K.; Upadhyay, R. V.; Mehta, R. V.; Aswal, V. K.

2008-03-01

The experimental investigations of a nearly monodispersed magnetic fluid, containing a ternary Mn_{0.5}Zn_{0.5}Fe_{2}O_{4} (MZ5) magnetic fluid, are carried out using XRD, TEM, Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) and a SQUID magnetometer. The XRD and TEM measurements give the particle size to be 7.5 and 8.4 nm respectively, and confirms the single phase cubic spinel structure. The size distribution retrieved from TEM is found to be very narrow (<10{%}). Room temperature magnetic measurement fits with the Langevin's function modified for the particle size distribution as well as for the particle-particle interaction parameter. M(H)-measurements as a function of field for different temperatures show that the system is superparamagnetic at room temperature and develops coercivity at 5 K. Figs 4, Refs 12.

Side-wall spacer passivated sub-μm Josephson junction fabrication process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grönberg, Leif; Kiviranta, Mikko; Vesterinen, Visa; Lehtinen, Janne; Simbierowicz, Slawomir; Luomahaara, Juho; Prunnila, Mika; Hassel, Juha

2017-12-01

We present a structure and a fabrication method for superconducting tunnel junctions down to the dimensions of 200 nm using i-line UV lithography. The key element is a sidewall-passivating spacer structure (SWAPS) which is shaped for smooth crossline contacting and low parasitic capacitance. The SWAPS structure enables formation of junctions with dimensions at or below the lithography-limited linewidth. An additional benefit is avoiding the excessive use of amorphous dielectric materials which is favorable in sub-Kelvin microwave applications often plagued by nonlinear and lossy dielectrics. We apply the structure to niobium trilayer junctions, and provide characterization results yielding evidence on wafer-scale scalability, and critical current density tuning in the range of 0.1-3.0 kA cm-2. We discuss the applicability of the junction process in the context of different applications, such as SQUID magnetometers and Josephson parametric amplifiers.

Localization and Related Phenomena in Multiply Connected Nanostructured Inverse Opal Bismuth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bleiweiss, Michael; Saygi, Salih; Amirzadeh, Jafar; Datta, Timir; Lungu, Anca; Yin, Ming; Palm, Eric; Brandt, Bruce; Iqbal, Zafar

2001-03-01

The nanostructures were fabricated by pressure infiltration of bismuth into porous artificial opal and were characterized using SEM, EDX and XRD. These structures form a regular three-dimensional network in which the bismuth regions percolate in all directions between the close packed spheres of SiO_2. The sizes of the conducting regions are of the order of tens of nanometers. The static magnetic properties of both bismuth inverse opal and bulk bismuth were studied using a SQUID magnetometer. Transport measurements, including Hall, were done using standard ac four and six probe techniques in fields up to 17 T* and temperatures between 4.2 and 150 K. The results of these measurements, including the observation of localization phenomena, will be discussed. Comparisons will be made with published results on bismuth nanowires. *Performed at the National High Magnetic Field Lab (NHMFL) FSU, Tallahassee, FL. Partially supported by a grant from NASA.

Broadband and Resonant Approaches to Axion Dark Matter Detection.

PubMed

Kahn, Yonatan; Safdi, Benjamin R; Thaler, Jesse

2016-09-30

When ultralight axion dark matter encounters a static magnetic field, it sources an effective electric current that follows the magnetic field lines and oscillates at the axion Compton frequency. We propose a new experiment to detect this axion effective current. In the presence of axion dark matter, a large toroidal magnet will act like an oscillating current ring, whose induced magnetic flux can be measured by an external pickup loop inductively coupled to a SQUID magnetometer. We consider both resonant and broadband readout circuits and show that a broadband approach has advantages at small axion masses. We estimate the reach of this design, taking into account the irreducible sources of noise, and demonstrate potential sensitivity to axionlike dark matter with masses in the range of 10^{-14}-10^{-6}  eV. In particular, both the broadband and resonant strategies can probe the QCD axion with a GUT-scale decay constant.

Development of High Resolution Eddy Current Imaging Using an Electro-Mechanical Sensor (Postprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-08-01

Primdahl, F., 1979, “The Fluxgate Magnetometer ,” J. Phys. E: Sci. Instrum., Vol. 12: 241-253. 13. A. Abedi, J. J. Fellenstein, A. J. Lucas, and J. P...Issues 1-2, Pages 203-206 (2006). 11. Ripka, P., 1992, Review of Fluxgate Sensors, Sensors and Actuators, A. 33, Elsevier Sequoia: 129-141. 12...Wikswo, Jr., “A superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer system for quantitative analysis and imaging of hidden corrosion activity in

Non-invasive and high-sensitivity scanning detection of magnetic nanoparticles in animals using high-Tc scanning superconducting-quantum-interference-device biosusceptometry.

PubMed

Chieh, J J; Hong, C Y

2011-08-01

Although magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been widely applied to animals in biomedicine, MNPs within animals should be examined in real time, in vivo, and without bio-damaged possibility to evaluate whether the bio-function of MNPs is valid or to further controls the biomedicinal process because of accompanying complex problems such as MNPs distribution and MNPs biodegradation. The non-invasive and high-sensitivity scanning detection of MNPs in animals using ac susceptometry based on a high-T(c) superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) is presented. The non-invasive results and biopsy results show good agreement, and two gold-standard biomedicine methods, Prussian blue stain and inductively coupled plasma, prove the magnetic results. This confirms that the future clinical diagnosis of bio-functional MNPs could be operated by using scanning SQUID biosusceptometry as conveniently as an ultrasonic probe.

Magnetic biosensor using a high transition temperature SQUID

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grossman, Helene Lila

A high transition temperature (Tc) Superconducting QUantum Interference Device (SQUID) is used to detect magnetically-labeled microorganisms. The targets are identified and quantified by means of magnetic relaxation measurements, with no need for unbound magnetic labels to be washed away. The binding rate between antibody-linked magnetic particles and targets can be measured with this technique. Installed in a "SQUID microscope," a YBa2Cu 3O7-delta SQUID is mounted on a sapphire rod thermally linked to a liquid nitrogen can; these components are enclosed in a fiberglass vacuum chamber. A thin window separates the vacuum chamber from the sample, which is at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. In one mode of the experiment, targets are immobilized on a substrate and immersed a suspension of ˜50 nm diameter superparamagnetic particles, coated with antibodies. A pulsed magnetic field aligns the magnetic dipole moments, and the SQUID measures the magnetic relaxation signal each time the field is turned off. Unbound particles relax within ˜50 mus by Brownian rotation, too fast for the SQUID system to measure. In contrast, particles bound to targets have their Brownian motion inhibited. These particles relax in ˜1 s by rotation of the internal dipole moment, and this Neel relaxation process is detected by the SQUID. This assay is demonstrated with a model system of liposomes carrying the FLAG epitope; the detection limit is (2.7 +/- 0.2) x 105 particles. The replacement of the SQUID with a gradiometer improves the detection limit to (7.0 +/- 0.7) x 103 particles. In an alternate mode of the experiment, freely suspended targets (larger than ˜1 mum diameter) are detected. Since the Brownian relaxation time of the targets is longer than the measurement time, particles bound to targets are effectively immobilized and exhibit Neel relaxation. Listeria monocytogenes are detected using this method; the sensitivity is (1.1 +/- 0.2) x 105 bacteria in 20 muL. For a 1 nL sample volume, the detection limit is expected to be 230 +/- 40 bacteria. Time-resolved measurements, which yield the binding rate between particles and bacteria, are reported. Also, potential improvements to the system and possible applications are discussed.

Bringing Magnetic Field Data in Real-Time for Researchers on Mobile Devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wolf, V. G.; Hampton, D. L.

2013-12-01

Magnetometer data from eight remote stations across Alaska have been collected continuously since the early 1980's by the Geophysical Institute Magnetometer Array (GIMA). These three-axis fluxgate magnetometers, with <1 nT precision, provide data at 1 Hz, which are used to determine the currents associated with auroral activity in the Alaska polar regions. A primary function of the GIMA is to supply magnetic field deflection data in real time to researchers so they can determine when to launch a sub-orbital sounding rocket from the Poker Flat Research Range into the proper auroral conditions. The aurora is a key coupling mechanism between the Earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere, and the magnetometers are used to remotely sense the ionospheric currents associated with aurora. The web-based interface to display the real-time magnetometer data has been upgraded to be fully functional on a wide range of platforms, from desktops to mobile devices. The incoming data stream from each station is recorded in a database and used to populate the real time graphical display. Improvements in data management increased the sampling rate from 5 seconds to 1 second for the display. The displays are highly configurable to allow researchers the flexibility to interpret the magnetic signature they need to make a successful launch decision. The use of Django and Java script technology enabled the system to be structured for rapid expansion when new stations come online and input streams are improved. Data are also available for download within 24 hours of collection. The existence of real-time data has been and will continue to be critical for successful rocket launches.

Summary Report of the Summer Conference of the DARPA-Materials Research Council Held in La Jolla, California on 6-30 July 1987

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-07-01

that any array detector have very broad dynamic range. iv.) Analytical methods used in extracting structural data from experimental observations from...important influence on magnet design and on specialized magnetic devices ( SQUID devices) and forms the basis for promising electronic devices ’Josephson...printable inks using 123 powders. (2) Control of interfacial reactions between the superconductors and the dielectric. (3) Development of suitable

Superconducting inductive displacement detection of a microcantilever

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vinante, A.

2014-07-01

We demonstrate a superconducting inductive technique to measure the displacement of a micromechanical resonator. In our scheme, a type I superconducting microsphere is attached to the free end of a microcantilever and approached to the loop of a dc Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) microsusceptometer. A local magnetic field as low as 100 μT, generated by a field coil concentric to the SQUID, enables detection of the cantilever thermomechanical noise at 4.2 K. The magnetomechanical coupling and the magnetic spring are in good agreement with image method calculations assuming pure Meissner effect. These measurements are relevant to recent proposals of quantum magnetomechanics experiments based on levitating superconducting microparticles.

Spin-1 models in the ultrastrong-coupling regime of circuit QED

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Albarrán-Arriagada, F.; Lamata, L.; Solano, E.; Romero, G.; Retamal, J. C.

2018-02-01

We propose a superconducting circuit platform for simulating spin-1 models. To this purpose we consider a chain of N ultrastrongly coupled qubit-resonator systems interacting through a grounded superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). The anharmonic spectrum of the qubit-resonator system and the selection rules imposed by the global parity symmetry allow us to activate well controlled two-body quantum gates via ac pulses applied to the SQUID. We show that our proposal has the same simulation time for any number of spin-1 interacting particles. This scheme may be implemented within the state-of-the-art circuit QED in the ultrastrong coupling regime.

High-sensitivity operation of single-beam optically pumped magnetometer in a kHz frequency range

DOE PAGES

Savukov, Igor Mykhaylovich; Kim, Y. J.; Shah, V.; ...

2017-02-02

Here, optically pumped magnetometers (OPM) can be used in various applications, from magnetoencephalography to magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR). OPMs provide high sensitivity and have the significant advantage of non-cryogenic operation. To date, many magnetometers have been demonstrated with sensitivity close to 1 fT, but most devices are not commercialized. Most recently, QuSpin developed a model of OPM that is low cost, high sensitivity, and convenient for users, which operates in a single-beam configuration. Here we developed a theory of single-beam (or parallel two-beam) magnetometers and showed that it is possible to achieve good sensitivity beyond theirmore » usual frequency range by tuning the magnetic field. Experimentally we have tested and optimized a QuSpin OPM for operation in the frequency range from DC to 1.7 kHz, and found that the performance was only slightly inferior despite the expected decrease due to deviation from the spin-exchange relaxation-free regime.« less

High-sensitivity operation of single-beam optically pumped magnetometer in a kHz frequency range

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Savukov, Igor Mykhaylovich; Kim, Y. J.; Shah, V.

Here, optically pumped magnetometers (OPM) can be used in various applications, from magnetoencephalography to magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR). OPMs provide high sensitivity and have the significant advantage of non-cryogenic operation. To date, many magnetometers have been demonstrated with sensitivity close to 1 fT, but most devices are not commercialized. Most recently, QuSpin developed a model of OPM that is low cost, high sensitivity, and convenient for users, which operates in a single-beam configuration. Here we developed a theory of single-beam (or parallel two-beam) magnetometers and showed that it is possible to achieve good sensitivity beyond theirmore » usual frequency range by tuning the magnetic field. Experimentally we have tested and optimized a QuSpin OPM for operation in the frequency range from DC to 1.7 kHz, and found that the performance was only slightly inferior despite the expected decrease due to deviation from the spin-exchange relaxation-free regime.« less

High-resolution room-temperature sample scanning superconducting quantum interference device microscope configurable for geological and biomagnetic applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fong, L. E.; Holzer, J. R.; McBride, K. K.; Lima, E. A.; Baudenbacher, F.; Radparvar, M.

2005-05-01

We have developed a scanning superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) microscope system with interchangeable sensor configurations for imaging magnetic fields of room-temperature (RT) samples with submillimeter resolution. The low-critical-temperature (Tc) niobium-based monolithic SQUID sensors are mounted on the tip of a sapphire and thermally anchored to the helium reservoir. A 25μm sapphire window separates the vacuum space from the RT sample. A positioning mechanism allows us to adjust the sample-to-sensor spacing from the top of the Dewar. We achieved a sensor-to-sample spacing of 100μm, which could be maintained for periods of up to four weeks. Different SQUID sensor designs are necessary to achieve the best combination of spatial resolution and field sensitivity for a given source configuration. For imaging thin sections of geological samples, we used a custom-designed monolithic low-Tc niobium bare SQUID sensor, with an effective diameter of 80μm, and achieved a field sensitivity of 1.5pT/Hz1/2 and a magnetic moment sensitivity of 5.4×10-18Am2/Hz1/2 at a sensor-to-sample spacing of 100μm in the white noise region for frequencies above 100Hz. Imaging action currents in cardiac tissue requires a higher field sensitivity, which can only be achieved by compromising spatial resolution. We developed a monolithic low-Tc niobium multiloop SQUID sensor, with sensor sizes ranging from 250μm to 1mm, and achieved sensitivities of 480-180fT /Hz1/2 in the white noise region for frequencies above 100Hz, respectively. For all sensor configurations, the spatial resolution was comparable to the effective diameter and limited by the sensor-to-sample spacing. Spatial registration allowed us to compare high-resolution images of magnetic fields associated with action currents and optical recordings of transmembrane potentials to study the bidomain nature of cardiac tissue or to match petrography to magnetic field maps in thin sections of geological samples.

JPRS Report Science & Technology Japan

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-06-02

Electronics •Superconducting Wiring in LSI •One Wafer Computer •Josephson Devices •SQUID Devices Infrared Sensor Magnetic Sensor •Superconducting...Guinier- de Wolff monochromatic focusing camera (CoK* radiation) and with Philips APD-10 auto-powder diffractometer (CuKÄ radiation). Pure Si was used as...crystallized and smooth surface. The values indicated in Fig. 2 were the thickness monitored by a quartz oscillating sensor located near the

Enhancements to a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) Multiplexer Readout and Control System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Forgione, J.; Benford, D. J.; Buchanan, E. D.; Moseley, S. H.; Rebar, J.; Shafer, R. A.

2004-01-01

Far-infrared detector arrays such as the 16x32 superconducting bolometer array for the SAFIRE instrument (flying on the SOFIA airborne observatory) require systems of readout and control electronics to provide translation between a user-driven, digital PC and the cold, analog world of the cryogenic detector. In 2001, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) developed their Mark III electronics for purposes of control and readout of their 1x32 SQUID Multiplexer chips. We at NASA s Goddard Space Flight Center acquired a Mark 111 system and subsequently designed upgrades to suit our and our collaborators purposes. We developed an arbitrary, programmable multiplexing system that allows the user to cycle through rows in a SQUID array in an infinite number of combinations. We provided hooks in the Mark III system to allow readout of signals from outside the Mark 111 system, such as telescope status information. Finally, we augmented the heart of the system with a new feedback algorithm implementation, flexible diagnostic tools, and informative telemetry.

Beam current sensor

DOEpatents

Kuchnir, M.; Mills, F.E.

1984-09-28

A current sensor for measuring the dc component of a beam of charged particles employs a superconducting pick-up loop probe, with twisted superconducting leads in combination with a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) detector. The pick-up probe is in the form of a single-turn loop, or a cylindrical toroid, through which the beam is directed and within which a first magnetic flux is excluded by the Meisner effect. The SQUID detector acts as a flux-to-voltage converter in providing a current to the pick-up loop so as to establish a second magnetic flux within the electrode which nulls out the first magnetic flux. A feedback voltage within the SQUID detector represents the beam current of the particles which transit the pick-up loop. Meisner effect currents prevent changes in the magnetic field within the toroidal pick-up loop and produce a current signal independent of the beam's cross-section and its position within the toroid, while the combination of superconducting elements provides current measurement sensitivities in the nano-ampere range.

Enhancements to a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) multiplexer readout and control system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forgione, Joshua B.; Benford, Dominic J.; Buchanan, Ernest D.; Moseley, S. H., Jr.; Rebar, Joyce; Shafer, Richard A.

2004-10-01

Far-infrared detector arrays such as the 16x32 superconducting bolometer array for the SAFIRE instrument (flying on the SOFIA airborne observatory) require systems of readout and control electronics to provide translation between a user-driven, digital PC and the cold, analog world of the cryogenic detector. In 2001, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) developed their Mark III electronics for purposes of control and readout of their 1x32 SQUID Multiplexer chips. We at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center acquired a Mark III system and subsequently designed upgrades to suit our and our collaborators' purposes. We developed an arbitrary, programmable multiplexing system that allows the user to cycle through rows in a SQUID array in an infinite number of combinations. We provided 'hooks' in the Mark III system to allow readout of signals from outside the Mark III system, such as telescope status information. Finally, we augmented the heart of the system with a new feedback algorithm implementation, flexible diagnostic tools, and informative telemetry.

Beam current sensor

DOEpatents

Kuchnir, Moyses; Mills, Frederick E.

1987-01-01

A current sensor for measuring the DC component of a beam of charged particles employs a superconducting pick-up loop probe, with twisted superconducting leads in combination with a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) detector. The pick-up probe is in the form of a single-turn loop, or a cylindrical toroid, through which the beam is directed and within which a first magnetic flux is excluded by the Meisner effect. The SQUID detector acts as a flux-to-voltage converter in providing a current to the pick-up loop so as to establish a second magnetic flux within the electrode which nulls out the first magnetic flux. A feedback voltage within the SQUID detector represents the beam current of the particles which transit the pick-up loop. Meisner effect currents prevent changes in the magnetic field within the toroidal pick-up loop and produce a current signal independent of the beam's cross-section and its position within the toroid, while the combination of superconducting elements provides current measurement sensitivites in the nano-ampere range.

Characterization of a low frequency magnetic noise from a two-stage pulse tube cryocooler

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eshraghi, M. J.; Sasada, I.; Kim, J. M.; Lee, Y. H.

2009-07-01

Magnetic noise of a two-stage pulse tube cryocooler (PT) was measured by a fundamental mode orthogonal fluxgate magnetometer and by a LTS Double Relaxation Oscillation SQUID (DROS) first-order planar gradiometer. The magnetometer was installed in a dewar made of aluminum at 12 cm distance from a section containing magnetic regenerative materials of the second pulse tube. The magnetic noise spectrum showed a clear peak at 1.8 Hz, which is the fundamental frequency of the He gas pumping rate. The 1.8 Hz magnetic noise registered a peak, during the cooling down process, when the second cold-stage temperature was around 12 K, which is well correlated with the 1.8 Hz variation of the temperature of the second cold stage. Hence, we attributed the main source of this magnetic noise to the temperature variation of the magnetic moments resulting from magnetic regenerative materials, Er 3Ni and HoCu 2, in the presence of background static magnetic fields. We have also pointed out that the superconducting magnetic shield of lead sheets reduced the low frequency magnetic noise generated from the magnetic regenerative materials. With this arrangement, the magnetic noise amplitude measured with the LTS DROS gradiometer, mounted at 7 cm horizontal distance from the magnetic regenerative materials, in the optimum condition, was lower than 500 pT peak-to-peak, whereas the noise level without lead shielding was higher than the dynamic range of DROS instrumentations which was around ±10nT.

Automated paleomagnetic and rock magnetic data acquisition with an in-line horizontal "2G" system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mullender, Tom A. T.; Frederichs, Thomas; Hilgenfeldt, Christian; de Groot, Lennart V.; Fabian, Karl; Dekkers, Mark J.

2016-09-01

Today's paleomagnetic and magnetic proxy studies involve processing of large sample collections while simultaneously demanding high quality data and high reproducibility. Here we describe a fully automated interface based on a commercial horizontal pass-through "2G" DC-SQUID magnetometer. This system is operational at the universities of Bremen (Germany) and Utrecht (Netherlands) since 1998 and 2006, respectively, while a system is currently being built at NGU Trondheim (Norway). The magnetometers are equipped with "in-line" alternating field (AF) demagnetization, a direct-current bias field coil along the coaxial AF demagnetization coil for the acquisition of anhysteretic remanent magnetization (ARM) and a long pulse-field coil for the acquisition of isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM). Samples are contained in dedicated low magnetization perspex holders that are manipulated by a pneumatic pick-and-place-unit. Upon desire samples can be measured in several positions considerably enhancing data quality in particular for magnetically weak samples. In the Bremen system, the peak of the IRM pulse fields is actively measured which reduces the discrepancy between the set field and the field that is actually applied. Techniques for quantifying and removing gyroremanent overprints and for measuring the viscosity of IRM further extend the range of applications of the system. Typically c. 300 paleomagnetic samples can be AF demagnetized per week (15 levels) in the three-position protocol. The versatility of the system is illustrated by several examples of paleomagnetic and rock magnetic data processing.

Interlaboratory Comparison of Magnetic Thin Film Measurements.

PubMed

da Silva, F C S; Wang, C M; Pappas, D P

2003-01-01

A potential low magnetic moment standard reference material (SRM) was studied in an interlaboratory comparison. The mean and the standard deviation of the saturation moment m s, the remanent moment m r, and the intrinsic coercivity H c of nine samples were extracted from hysteresis-loop measurements. Samples were measured by thirteen laboratories using inductive-field loopers, vibrating-sample magnetometers, alternating-gradient force magnetometers, and superconducting quantum-interference-device magnetometers. NiFe films on Si substrates had saturation moment measurements reproduced within 5 % variation among the laboratories. The results show that a good candidate for an SRM must have a highly square hysteresis loop (m r/m s > 90 %), H c ≈ 400 A·m(-1) (5 Oe), and m s ≈ 2 × 10(-7) A·m(2) (2 × 10(-4) emu).

Developments in Time-Division Multiplexing of X-ray Transition-Edge Sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doriese, W. B.; Morgan, K. M.; Bennett, D. A.; Denison, E. V.; Fitzgerald, C. P.; Fowler, J. W.; Gard, J. D.; Hays-Wehle, J. P.; Hilton, G. C.; Irwin, K. D.; Joe, Y. I.; Mates, J. A. B.; O'Neil, G. C.; Reintsema, C. D.; Robbins, N. O.; Schmidt, D. R.; Swetz, D. S.; Tatsuno, H.; Vale, L. R.; Ullom, J. N.

2016-07-01

Time-division multiplexing (TDM) is a mature scheme for the readout of arrays of transition-edge sensors (TESs). TDM is based on superconducting-quantum-interference-device (SQUID) current amplifiers. Multiple spectrometers based on gamma-ray and X-ray microcalorimeters have been operated with TDM readout, each at the scale of 200 sensors per spectrometer, as have several astronomical cameras with thousands of sub-mm or microwave bolometers. Here we present the details of two different versions of our TDM system designed to read out X-ray TESs. The first has been field-deployed in two 160-sensor (8 columns × 20 rows) spectrometers and four 240-sensor (8 columns × 30 rows) spectrometers. It has a three-SQUID-stage architecture, switches rows every 320 ns, and has total readout noise of 0.41 μ Φ 0 / surd Hz. The second, which is presently under development, has a two-SQUID-stage architecture, switches rows every 160 ns, and has total readout noise of 0.19 μ Φ 0 / surd Hz. Both quoted noise values are non-multiplexed and referred to the first-stage SQUID. In a demonstration of this new architecture, a multiplexed 1-column × 32-row array of NIST TESs achieved average energy resolution of 2.55± 0.01 eV at 6 keV.

Code-division-multiplexed readout of large arrays of TES microcalorimeters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morgan, K. M.; Alpert, B. K.; Bennett, D. A.; Denison, E. V.; Doriese, W. B.; Fowler, J. W.; Gard, J. D.; Hilton, G. C.; Irwin, K. D.; Joe, Y. I.; O'Neil, G. C.; Reintsema, C. D.; Schmidt, D. R.; Ullom, J. N.; Swetz, D. S.

2016-09-01

Code-division multiplexing (CDM) offers a path to reading out large arrays of transition edge sensor (TES) X-ray microcalorimeters with excellent energy and timing resolution. We demonstrate the readout of X-ray TESs with a 32-channel flux-summed code-division multiplexing circuit based on superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) amplifiers. The best detector has energy resolution of 2.28 ± 0.12 eV FWHM at 5.9 keV and the array has mean energy resolution of 2.77 ± 0.02 eV over 30 working sensors. The readout channels are sampled sequentially at 160 ns/row, for an effective sampling rate of 5.12 μs/channel. The SQUID amplifiers have a measured flux noise of 0.17 μΦ0/√Hz (non-multiplexed, referred to the first stage SQUID). The multiplexed noise level and signal slew rate are sufficient to allow readout of more than 40 pixels per column, making CDM compatible with requirements outlined for future space missions. Additionally, because the modulated data from the 32 SQUID readout channels provide information on each X-ray event at the row rate, our CDM architecture allows determination of the arrival time of an X-ray event to within 275 ns FWHM with potential benefits in experiments that require detection of near-coincident events.

A 3-Axis Miniature Magnetic Sensor Based on a Planar Fluxgate Magnetometer with an Orthogonal Fluxguide.

PubMed

Lu, Chih-Cheng; Huang, Jeff

2015-06-19

A new class of tri-axial miniature magnetometer consisting of a planar fluxgate structure with an orthogonal ferromagnetic fluxguide centrally situated over the magnetic cores is presented. The magnetic sensor possesses a cruciform ferromagnetic core placed diagonally upon the square excitation coil under which two pairs of pick-up coils for in-plane field detection are allocated. Effective principles and analysis of the magnetometer for 3-D field vectors are described and verified by numerically electromagnetic simulation for the excitation and magnetization of the ferromagnetic cores. The sensor is operated by applying the second-harmonic detection technique that can verify V-B relationship and device responsivity. Experimental characterization of the miniature fluxgate device demonstrates satisfactory spatial magnetic field detection results in terms of responsivity and noise spectrum. As a result, at an excitation frequency of 50 kHz, a maximum in-plane responsivity of 122.4 V/T appears and a maximum out-of-plane responsivity of 11.6 V/T is obtained as well. The minimum field noise spectra are found to be 0.11 nT/√Hz and 6.29 nT/√Hz, respectively, in X- and Z-axis at 1 Hz under the same excitation frequency. Compared with the previous tri-axis fluxgate devices, this planar magnetic sensor with an orthogonal fluxguide provides beneficial enhancement in both sensory functionality and manufacturing simplicity. More importantly, this novel device concept is considered highly suitable for the extension to a silicon sensor made by the current CMOS-MEMS technologies, thus emphasizing its emerging applications of field detection in portable industrial electronics.

Demonstration of the SeptiStrand benthic microbial fuel cell powering a magnetometer for ship detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arias-Thode, Y. Meriah; Hsu, Lewis; Anderson, Greg; Babauta, Jerome; Fransham, Roy; Obraztsova, Anna; Tukeman, Gabriel; Chadwick, D. Bart

2017-07-01

The Navy has a need for monitoring conditions and gathering information in marine environments. Sensors can monitor and report environmental parameters and potential activities such as animal movements, ships, or personnel. However, there has to be a means to power these sensors. One promising enabling technology that has been shown to provide long-term power production in underwater environments is the benthic microbial fuel cells (BMFC). BMFCs are devices that generate energy by coupling bioanodes and biocathodes through an external energy harvester. Recent studies have demonstrated success for usage of BMFCs in powering small instruments and other devices on the seafloor over limited periods of time. In this effort, a seven-stranded BMFC linear array of 30 m was designed to power a seafloor magnetometer to detect passing ship movements through Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The BMFC system was connected to a flyback energy harvesting circuit that charged the battery powering the magnetometer. The deployment was demonstrated the BMFC supplied power to the battery for approximately 38 days. This is the first large-scale demonstration system for usage of the SeptiStrand BMFC technology to power a relevant sensor.

Ultra-Low Field SQUID-NMR using LN2 Cooled Cu Polarizing Field coil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Demachi, K.; Kawagoe, S.; Ariyoshi, S.; Tanaka, S.

2017-07-01

We are developing an Ultra-Low Field (ULF) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system using a High-Temperature Superconductor superconducting quantum interference device (HTS rf-SQUID) for food inspection. The advantages of the ULF-NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) / MRI as compared with a conventional high field MRI are that they are compact and of low cost. In this study, we developed a ULF SQUID-NMR system using a polarizing coil to measure fat of which relaxation time T1 is shorter. The handmade polarizing coil was cooled by liquid nitrogen to reduce the resistance and accordingly increase the allowable current. The measured decay time of the polarizing field was 40 ms. The measurement system consisted of the liquid nitrogen cooled polarizing coil, a SQUID, a Cu wound flux transformer, a measurement field coil for the field of 47 μT, and an AC pulse coil for a 90°pulse field. The NMR measurements were performed in a magnetically shielded room to reduce the environmental magnetic field. The size of the sample was ϕ35 mm × L80 mm. After applying a polarizing field and a 90°pulse, an NMR signal was detected by the SQUID through the flux transformer. As a result, the NMR spectra of fat samples were obtained at 2.0 kHz corresponding to the measurement field Bm of 47 μT. The T1 relaxation time of the mineral oil measured in Bm was 45 ms. These results suggested that the ULF-NMR/MRI system has potential for food inspection.

Design and Performance of the Multiplexed SQUID/TES Array at Ninety Gigahertz

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stanchfield, Sara; Ade, Peter; Aguirre, James; Brevik, Justus A.; Cho, Hsiao-Mei; Datta, Rahul; Devlin, Mark; Dicker, Simon R.; Dober, Bradley; Duff, Shannon M.; Egan, Dennis; Ford, Pam; Hilton, Gene; Hubmayr, Johannes; Irwin, Kent; Knowles, Kenda; Marganian, Paul; Mason, Brian Scott; Mates, John A. B.; McMahon, Jeff; Mello, Melinda; Mroczkowski, Tony; Romero, Charles; Sievers, Jonathon; Tucker, Carole; Vale, Leila R.; Vissers, Michael; White, Steven; Whitehead, Mark; Ullom, Joel; Young, Alexander

2018-01-01

We present the array performance and astronomical images from early science results from MUSTANG-2, a 90 GHz feedhorn-coupled, microwave SQUID-multiplexed TES bolometer array operating on the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT). MUSTANG-2 was installed on the GBT on December 2, 2016 and immediately began commissioning efforts, followed by science observations, which are expected to conclude June 2017. The feedhorn and waveguide-probe-coupled detector technology is a mature technology, which has been used on instrument including the South Pole Telescope, the Atacama Cosmology Telescope, and the Atacama B-mode Search telescope. The microwave SQUID readout system developed for MUSTANG-2 currently reads out 66 detectors with a single coaxial cable and will eventually allow thousands of detectors to be multiplexed. This microwave SQUID multiplexer combines the proven abilities of millimeterwave TES detectors with the multiplexing capabilities of KIDs with no degradation in noise performance of the detectors. Each multiplexing device is read out using warm electronics consisting of a commercially available ROACH board, a DAC/ADC card, and an Intermediate Frequency mixer circuit. The hardware was originally developed by the UC Berkeley Collaboration for Astronomy Signal Processing and Electronic Research (CASPER) group, whose primary goal is to develop scalable FPGA-based hardware with the flexibility to be used in a wide range of radio signal processing applications. MUSTANG-2 is the first on-sky instrument to use microwave SQUID multiplexing and is available as a shared-risk/PI instrument on the GBT. In MUSTANG-2's first season 7 separate proposals were awarded a total of 230 hours of telescope time.

Synthesis of hydrophilic superparamagnetic magnetite nanoparticles via thermal decomposition of Fe(acac), in 80 vol% TREG + 20 vol% TREM.

PubMed

Maityt, Dipak; Pradhan, Pallab; Chandrasekharan, Prashant; Kale, S N; Shuter, Borys; Bahadur, Dhirendra; Feng, Si-Shen; Xue, Jun-Min; Ding, Jun

2011-03-01

In this paper, we report single step synthesis of hydrophilic superparamagnetic magnetite nanoparticles by thermolysis of Fe(acac)3 and their characterization of the properties relevant to biomedical applications like hyperthermia and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Size and morphology of the particles were determined by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) while phase purity and structure of the particles were identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Magnetic properties were evaluated using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) measurements. The as prepared nanoparticles were found to be superparamagnetic with the blocking temperature of 136 K and were easily suspendable in water. Cytotoxicity studies on human cervical (SiHa), mouse melanoma (B16F10) and mouse primary fibroblast cells demonstrated that up to a dose of 0.1 mg/ml, the magnetite nanoparticles were nontoxic to the cells. To evaluate the feasibility of their uses in hyperthermia and MRI applications, specific absorption rate (SAR) and spin-spin relaxation time (T2) were measured respectively. SAR has been calculated to be above 80 Watt/g for samples with the iron concentration of 5-20 mg/ml at 10 kA/m AC magnetic field and 425 kHz frequency. r2 relaxivity value was measured as 358.4 mM(-1)S(-1) which is almost double as compared to that of the Resovist, a commercially available MRI contrast agent. Thus the as-prepared magnetite nanoparticles may be used for hyperthermia and MRI applications due to their promising SAR and r2 values.

A simple vibrating sample magnetometer for macroscopic samples

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lopez-Dominguez, V.; Quesada, A.; Guzmán-Mínguez, J. C.; Moreno, L.; Lere, M.; Spottorno, J.; Giacomone, F.; Fernández, J. F.; Hernando, A.; García, M. A.

2018-03-01

We here present a simple model of a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The system allows recording magnetization curves at room temperature with a resolution of the order of 0.01 emu and is appropriated for macroscopic samples. The setup can be mounted with different configurations depending on the requirements of the sample to be measured (mass, saturation magnetization, saturation field, etc.). We also include here examples of curves obtained with our setup and comparison curves measured with a standard commercial VSM that confirms the reliability of our device.

Superconductive imaging surface magnetometer

DOEpatents

Overton, Jr., William C.; van Hulsteyn, David B.; Flynn, Edward R.

1991-01-01

An improved pick-up coil system for use with Superconducting Quantum Interference Device gradiometers and magnetometers involving the use of superconducting plates near conventional pick-up coil arrangements to provide imaging of nearby dipole sources and to deflect environmental magnetic noise away from the pick-up coils. This allows the practice of gradiometry and magnetometry in magnetically unshielded environments. One embodiment uses a hemispherically shaped superconducting plate with interior pick-up coils, allowing brain wave measurements to be made on human patients. another embodiment using flat superconducting plates could be used in non-destructive evaluation of materials.

Imaging the Working Brain.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Swithenby, S. J.

1996-01-01

Very sensitive SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) detectors are used in the technique known as magnetoencephalography to provide dynamic images of the brain. This can help our fundamental understanding of the way the brain works and may be of particular use in treating disorders such as epilepsy. (Author/MKR)

Front-end multiplexing—applied to SQUID multiplexing: Athena X-IFU and QUBIC experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prele, D.

2015-08-01

As we have seen for digital camera market and a sensor resolution increasing to "megapixels", all the scientific and high-tech imagers (whatever the wave length - from radio to X-ray range) tends also to always increases the pixels number. So the constraints on front-end signals transmission increase too. An almost unavoidable solution to simplify integration of large arrays of pixels is front-end multiplexing. Moreover, "simple" and "efficient" techniques allow integration of read-out multiplexers in the focal plane itself. For instance, CCD (Charge Coupled Device) technology has boost number of pixels in digital camera. Indeed, this is exactly a planar technology which integrates both the sensors and a front-end multiplexed readout. In this context, front-end multiplexing techniques will be discussed for a better understanding of their advantages and their limits. Finally, the cases of astronomical instruments in the millimeter and in the X-ray ranges using SQUID (Superconducting QUantum Interference Device) will be described.

Quasi-molecular bosonic complexes-a pathway to SQUID with controlled sensitivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Safavi-Naini, Arghavan; Capogrosso-Sansone, Barbara; Kuklov, Anatoly; Penna, Vittorio

2016-02-01

Recent experimental advances in realizing degenerate quantum dipolar gases in optical lattices and the flexibility of experimental setups in attaining various geometries offer the opportunity to explore exotic quantum many-body phases stabilized by anisotropic, long-range dipolar interaction. Moreover, the unprecedented control over the various physical properties of these systems, ranging from the quantum statistics of the particles, to the inter-particle interactions, allow one to engineer novel devices. In this paper, we consider dipolar bosons trapped in a stack of one-dimensional optical lattice layers, previously studied in (Safavi-Naini et al 2014 Phys. Rev. A 90 043604). Building on our prior results, we provide a description of the quantum phases stabilized in this system which include composite superfluids (CSFs), solids, and supercounterfluids, most of which are found to be threshold-less with respect to the dipolar interaction strength. We also demonstrate the effect of enhanced sensitivity to rotations of a SQUID-type device made of two CSF trapped in a ring-shaped optical lattice layer with weak links.

Ultra-sensitive magnetic microscopy with an atomic magnetometer and flux guides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Young Jin; Savukov, Igor

Many applications in neuroscience, biomedical research, and material science require high-sensitivity, high-resolution magnetometry. In order to meet this need we recently combined a cm-size spin-exchange relaxation-free Atomic Magnetometer (AM) with a flux guide (FG) to produce ultra-sensitive FG-AM magnetic microscopy. The FG serves to transmit the target magnetic flux to the AM thus enhancing both the sensitivity and resolution to tiny magnetic objects. In this talk, we will describe existing and next generation FG-AM devices and present experimental and numerical tests of its sensitivity and resolution. We demonstrate that an optimized FG-AM has sufficient resolution and sensitivity for the detection of a small number of neurons, which would be an important milestone in neuroscience. In addition, as a demonstration of one possible application of the FG-AM device, we conducted high-resolution magnetic imaging of micron-size magnetic particles. We will show that the device can produce clear microscopic magnetic image of 10 μm-size magnetic particles.

Non-invasive detection of animal nerve impulses with an atomic magnetometer operating near quantum limited sensitivity

PubMed Central

Jensen, Kasper; Budvytyte, Rima; Thomas, Rodrigo A.; Wang, Tian; Fuchs, Annette M.; Balabas, Mikhail V.; Vasilakis, Georgios; Mosgaard, Lars D.; Stærkind, Hans C.; Müller, Jörg H.; Heimburg, Thomas; Olesen, Søren-Peter; Polzik, Eugene S.

2016-01-01

Magnetic fields generated by human and animal organs, such as the heart, brain and nervous system carry information useful for biological and medical purposes. These magnetic fields are most commonly detected using cryogenically-cooled superconducting magnetometers. Here we present the first detection of action potentials from an animal nerve using an optical atomic magnetometer. Using an optimal design we are able to achieve the sensitivity dominated by the quantum shot noise of light and quantum projection noise of atomic spins. Such sensitivity allows us to measure the nerve impulse with a miniature room-temperature sensor which is a critical advantage for biomedical applications. Positioning the sensor at a distance of a few millimeters from the nerve, corresponding to the distance between the skin and nerves in biological studies, we detect the magnetic field generated by an action potential of a frog sciatic nerve. From the magnetic field measurements we determine the activity of the nerve and the temporal shape of the nerve impulse. This work opens new ways towards implementing optical magnetometers as practical devices for medical diagnostics. PMID:27417378

Non-invasive detection of animal nerve impulses with an atomic magnetometer operating near quantum limited sensitivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jensen, Kasper; Budvytyte, Rima; Thomas, Rodrigo A.; Wang, Tian; Fuchs, Annette M.; Balabas, Mikhail V.; Vasilakis, Georgios; Mosgaard, Lars D.; Stærkind, Hans C.; Müller, Jörg H.; Heimburg, Thomas; Olesen, Søren-Peter; Polzik, Eugene S.

2016-07-01

Magnetic fields generated by human and animal organs, such as the heart, brain and nervous system carry information useful for biological and medical purposes. These magnetic fields are most commonly detected using cryogenically-cooled superconducting magnetometers. Here we present the first detection of action potentials from an animal nerve using an optical atomic magnetometer. Using an optimal design we are able to achieve the sensitivity dominated by the quantum shot noise of light and quantum projection noise of atomic spins. Such sensitivity allows us to measure the nerve impulse with a miniature room-temperature sensor which is a critical advantage for biomedical applications. Positioning the sensor at a distance of a few millimeters from the nerve, corresponding to the distance between the skin and nerves in biological studies, we detect the magnetic field generated by an action potential of a frog sciatic nerve. From the magnetic field measurements we determine the activity of the nerve and the temporal shape of the nerve impulse. This work opens new ways towards implementing optical magnetometers as practical devices for medical diagnostics.

ITAG: A fine-scale measurement platform to inform organismal response to a changing ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Katija, K.; Shorter, K. A.; Mooney, T. A.; Mann, D.; Wang, A. Z.; Sonnichsen, F. N.

2016-02-01

Soft-bodied marine invertebrates comprise a keystone component of ocean ecosystems, however we know little of their behaviors and physiological responses within their natural habitat. Quantifying ocean conditions and measuring an organisms' response to the physical environment is vital to understanding organismal responses to a changing ocean. However, we face technological limitations when attempting to quantify the physical and environmental conditions that organisms encounter at spatial and temporal scales of an individual organism. Here we describe a novel, eco-sensor tag (the ITAG) that has 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis magnetometer, pressure, temperature, and light sensors. Current and future efforts involve miniaturizing and integrating O2 and salinity sensors to the ITAG. The tagging package is designed to be neutrally buoyant, and after a prescribed time, the electronics separate from a weighted base and floats to the surface. Tags were deployed on five jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) and eight squid (Loligo forbesi) in laboratory conditions for up to 24 hr. Using concurrent video and tag data, movement signatures for specific behaviors were identified. Based on these laboratory trials, we found that squid activity level changed in response to ambient light conditions, which can inform trade-offs between behavior and energy expenditure in captive and wild animals. The ITAG opens the door for lab and field-based measurements of behavior, physiology, and concurrent environmental parameters that not only inform interactions in a changing ocean, but also provides a novel platform by which characterization of the environment can be conducted at fine spatial and temporal scales.

A 3-Axis Miniature Magnetic Sensor Based on a Planar Fluxgate Magnetometer with an Orthogonal Fluxguide

PubMed Central

Lu, Chih-Cheng; Huang, Jeff

2015-01-01

A new class of tri-axial miniature magnetometer consisting of a planar fluxgate structure with an orthogonal ferromagnetic fluxguide centrally situated over the magnetic cores is presented. The magnetic sensor possesses a cruciform ferromagnetic core placed diagonally upon the square excitation coil under which two pairs of pick-up coils for in-plane field detection are allocated. Effective principles and analysis of the magnetometer for 3-D field vectors are described and verified by numerically electromagnetic simulation for the excitation and magnetization of the ferromagnetic cores. The sensor is operated by applying the second-harmonic detection technique that can verify V-B relationship and device responsivity. Experimental characterization of the miniature fluxgate device demonstrates satisfactory spatial magnetic field detection results in terms of responsivity and noise spectrum. As a result, at an excitation frequency of 50 kHz, a maximum in-plane responsivity of 122.4 V/T appears and a maximum out-of-plane responsivity of 11.6 V/T is obtained as well. The minimum field noise spectra are found to be 0.11 nT/√Hz and 6.29 nT/√Hz, respectively, in X- and Z-axis at 1 Hz under the same excitation frequency. Compared with the previous tri-axis fluxgate devices, this planar magnetic sensor with an orthogonal fluxguide provides beneficial enhancement in both sensory functionality and manufacturing simplicity. More importantly, this novel device concept is considered highly suitable for the extension to a silicon sensor made by the current CMOS-MEMS technologies, thus emphasizing its emerging applications of field detection in portable industrial electronics. PMID:26102496

High Resolution Imaging with MUSTANG-2 on the GBT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stanchfield, Sara; Ade, Peter; Aguirre, James; Brevik, Justus A.; Cho, Hsiao-Mei; Datta, Rahul; Devlin, Mark; Dicker, Simon R.; Dober, Bradley; Duff, Shannon M.; Egan, Dennis; Ford, Pam; Hilton, Gene; Hubmayr, Johannes; Irwin, Kent; Knowles, Kenda; Marganian, Paul; Mason, Brian Scott; Mates, John A. B.; McMahon, Jeff; Mello, Melinda; Mroczkowski, Tony; Romero, Charles; Sievers, Jonathon; Tucker, Carole; Vale, Leila R.; Vissers, Michael; White, Steven; Whitehead, Mark; Ullom, Joel; Young, Alexander

2018-01-01

We present early science results from MUSTANG-2, a 90 GHz feedhorn-coupled, microwave SQUID-multiplexed TES bolometer array operating on the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT). The feedhorn and waveguide-probe-coupled detector technology is a mature technology, which has been used on instruments such as the South Pole Telescope, the Atacama Cosmology Telescope, and the Atacama B-mode Search telescope. The microwave SQUID multiplexer-based readout system developed for MUSTANG-2 currently reads out 66 detectors with a single coaxial cable and will eventually allow thousands of detectors to be multiplexed. This microwave SQUID multiplexer combines the proven abilities of millimeter wave TES detectors with the multiplexing capabilities of KIDs with no degradation in noise performance of the detectors. Each multiplexing device is read out using warm electronics consisting of a commercially available ROACH board, a DAC/ADC card, and an Intermediate Frequency mixer circuit. The hardware was originally developed by the Collaboration for Astronomy Signal Processing and Electronic Research (CASPER) group, whose primary goal is to develop scalable FPGA-based hardware with the flexibility to be used in a wide range of radio signal processing applications. MUSTANG-2 is the first on-sky instrument to use microwave SQUID multiplexing and is available as a shared-risk/PI instrument on the GBT. In MUSTANG-2’s first season 7 separate proposals were awarded a total of 230 hours of telescope time.

Recent advancements in the SQUID magnetospinogram system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adachi, Yoshiaki; Kawai, Jun; Haruta, Yasuhiro; Miyamoto, Masakazu; Kawabata, Shigenori; Sekihara, Kensuke; Uehara, Gen

2017-06-01

In this study, a new superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) biomagnetic measurement system known as magnetospinogram (MSG) is developed. The MSG system is used for observation of a weak magnetic field distribution induced by the neural activity of the spinal cord over the body surface. The current source reconstruction for the observed magnetic field distribution provides noninvasive functional imaging of the spinal cord, which enables medical personnel to diagnose spinal cord diseases more accurately. The MSG system is equipped with a uniquely shaped cryostat and a sensor array of vector-type SQUID gradiometers that are designed to detect the magnetic field from deep sources across a narrow observation area over the body surface of supine subjects. The latest prototype of the MSG system is already applied in clinical studies to develop a diagnosis protocol for spinal cord diseases. Advancements in hardware and software for MSG signal processing and cryogenic components aid in effectively suppressing external magnetic field noise and reducing the cost of liquid helium that act as barriers with respect to the introduction of the MSG system to hospitals. The application of the MSG system is extended to various biomagnetic applications in addition to spinal cord functional imaging given the advantages of the MSG system for investigating deep sources. The study also includes a report on the recent advancements of the SQUID MSG system including its peripheral technologies and wide-spread applications.

Imaging Local Magnetic Domain Rearrangement in Strained LaCoO3 Thin Films Using Magnetic Force Microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berg, Morgann; Leon, Neliza; Posadas, Agham; Lee, Alfred; Kim, Jeehoon; de Lozanne, Alex; Demkov, Alex

2012-02-01

Previous studies we have conducted on thin films of lanthanum cobaltate (LCO) under tensile strain have revealed a tendency toward local magnetic domain rearrangement into streak-like configurations near the ferromagnetic to paramagnetic phase transition. Moreover, the persistence of these streak-like characteristics to lower temperatures after field-cooling appears to be linked to the strength of the applied magnetic field in which these films are field-cooled. This tendency has not yet been verified for thin films of LCO under compressive strain which could indicate whether this magnetic domain rearrangement is intrinsic to thin film samples of LCO or is merely an effect of tensile strain. Using magnetic force microscopy, we investigate the microscale magnetic properties of a thin film of LCO under compressive strain, prepared by molecular beam epitaxy and deposited on a lanthanum aluminate substrate. We observe these properties across a wide temperature range and compare our results to global magnetic characteristics of this film as measured by a SQUID magnetometer.

Examining the Magnetic Properties of LaCoO3 Thin Films Using Magnetic Force Microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berg, Morgann; Posadas, Agham; de Lozanne, Alex; Demkov, Alexander

2011-03-01

In contrast to the non-magnetic ground state of bulk LaCo O3 (LCO) at low temperatures, ferromagnetism has been observed in elastically strained thin film specimens. The origins of ferromagnetism in strained LCO thin films have been obscured by conflicting experimental results. Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) is the current standard of preparation techniques used to grow thin films of LCO, but results from thin film LCO samples prepared by PLD have been questioned on the basis of chemical inhomogeneity and film defects. Using magnetic force microscopy, we investigate the microscale magnetic properties of strained thin films of LCO prepared by molecular beam epitaxy and deposited on lanthanum aluminate and strontium titanate substrates. We observe these properties across a temperature range surrounding the Curie temperature (Tc ~ 80 K) and compare our results to global magnetic characteristics of these films as measured by a SQUID magnetometer. Supported by NSF-DMR and NSF-IGERT.

Superconducting bearings for application in cryogenic experiments in space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Everitt, C. W. F.; Worden, P. W., Jr.

1980-01-01

Linear superconducting magnetic bearings suitable for use in a proposed orbital equivalence principle experiment and for general application in space were developed and tested. Current flows in opposite directions in adjacent superconducting wires arranged parallel to the axis of a cylinder. This configuration provides maximum stiffness radially while allowing the test mass to move freely along the cylinder axis. In a space application, the wires are extended to cover the entire perimeter of the cylinder: for the earth-based tests it was desirable to use only the bottom half. Control of the axial position of the test mass is by small control coils which may be positioned inside or outside the main bearing. The design is suitable for application to other geometries where maximum stiffness is desired. A working model scaled to operate in a 1-g environment was perfected approximate solutions for the bearings were developed. A superconducting transformer method of charging the magnets for the bearing, and a position detector based on a SQUID magnetometer and associated superconducting circuit were also investigated.

Gold and gold-iron oxide magnetic glyconanoparticles: synthesis, characterization and magnetic properties.

PubMed

de la Fuente, Jesús M; Alcántara, David; Eaton, Peter; Crespo, Patricia; Rojas, Teresa C; Fernandez, Asunción; Hernando, Antonio; Penadés, Soledad

2006-07-06

The preparation, characterization and the magnetic properties of gold and gold-iron oxide glyconanoparticles (GNPs) are described. Glyconanoparticles were prepared in a single step procedure in the presence of aqueous solution of thiol functionalized neoglycoconjugates and either gold salts or both gold and iron salts. Neoglycoconjugates of lactose and maltose disaccharides with different linkers were used. Iron-free gold or gold-iron oxide GNPs with controlled gold-iron ratios were obtained. The average core-size diameters are in the range of 1.5-2.5 nm. The GNPs are fully characterized by (1)H NMR spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and UV-vis and X-ray absorption (XAS) spectroscopies. Inductive plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP) and elemental analysis gave the average number of neoglycoconjugates per cluster. The magnetic properties were measured in a SQUID magnetometer. The most remarkable results was the observation of a permanent magnetism up to room temperature in the iron-free gold GNPs, that was not present in the corresponding gold-iron oxide GNPs.

Jingle-bell-shaped ferrite hollow sphere with a noble metal core: Simple synthesis and their magnetic and antibacterial properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Siheng; Wang, Enbo; Tian, Chungui; Mao, Baodong; Kang, Zhenhui; Li, Qiuyu; Sun, Guoying

2008-07-01

In this paper, a simple strategy is developed for rational fabrication of a class of jingle-bell-shaped hollow structured nanomaterials marked as Ag@ MFe 2O 4 ( M=Ni, Co, Mg, Zn), consisting of ferrite hollow shells and metal nanoparticle cores, using highly uniform colloidal Ag@C microspheres as template. The final composites were obtained by direct adsorption of metal cations Fe 3+ and M 2+ on the surface of the Ag@C spheres followed by calcination process to remove the middle carbon shell and transform the metal ions into pure phase ferrites. The as-prepared composites were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-vis spectroscopy and SQUID magnetometer. The results showed that the composites possess the magnetic property of the ferrite shell and the optical together with antibacterial property of the Ag core.

Microfabricated spin exchange relaxation free atomic magnetometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Griffith, W. Clark; Jimenez-Martinez, Ricardo; Preusser, Jan; Knappe, Svenja; Kitching, John

2009-05-01

Methods first developed at NIST for MEMS-based atomic clocks have been applied to magnetic field sensors. The sensors are built around microfabricated alkali-atom vapor cells integrated with micro-optics and a VCSEL light source. Exceptional magnetic field sensitivities can be achieved in a small volume vapor cell, especially when operated in the spin-exchange relaxation free (SERF) regime. In this technique, magnetic resonance broadening due to spin-exchange collisions is suppressed under conditions of high alkali density and low magnetic fields. We have demonstrated sensitivities better than 100 fT/Hz^1/2 with a millimeter scale SERF sensor.ootnotetextV. Shah, S. Knappe, P.D.D. Schwindt, and J. Kitching, Nature Photonics, 1, 649 (2007). Adding flux concentratorsootnotetextW.C. Griffith, R. Jimenez-Martinez, V. Shah, S. Knappe, and J. Kitching, Appl. Phys. Lett., 94, 023502 (2009). around the vapor cell further improves the sensitivity to 10 fT/Hz^1/2, potentially providing a low power, noncryogenic alternative to SQUID sensors.

Ab-initio calculation and experimental observation of room temperature ferromagnetism in 50 keV nitrogen implanted rutile TiO2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luitel, Homnath; Chakrabarti, Mahuya; Sarkar, A.; Dechoudhury, S.; Bhowmick, D.; Naik, V.; Sanyal, D.

2018-02-01

Room temperature magnetic properties of 50 keV N4+ ion beam implanted rutile TiO2 have been theoretically and experimentally studied. Ab-initio calculation under the frame work of density functional theory has been carried out to study the magnetic properties of the different possible nitrogen related defects in TiO2. Spin polarized density of states calculation suggests that both Ninst and NO can induce ferromagnetic ordering in rutile TiO2. In both cases the 2p orbital electrons of nitrogen atom give rise to the magnetic moment in TiO2. The possibility of the formation of N2 molecule in TiO2 system is also studied but in this case no significant magnetic moment has been observed. The magnetic measurements, using SQUID magnetometer, results a ferromagnetic ordering even at room temperature for the 50 keV N4+ ion beam implanted rutile TiO2.

Experimental evidence for simultaneous relaxation processes in super spin glass γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticle system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nikolic, V.; Perovic, M.; Kusigerski, V.; Boskovic, M.; Mrakovic, A.; Blanusa, J.; Spasojevic, V.

2015-03-01

Spherical γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles with the narrow size distribution of (5 ± 1) nm were synthesized by the method of thermal decomposition from iron acetyl acetonate precursor. The existence of super spin-glass state at low temperatures and in low applied magnetic fields was confirmed by DC magnetization measurements on a SQUID magnetometer. The comprehensive investigation of magnetic relaxation dynamics in low-temperature region was conducted through the measurements of single-stop and multiple stop ZFC memory effects, ZFC magnetization relaxation, and AC susceptibility measurements. The experimental findings revealed the peculiar change of magnetic relaxation dynamics at T ≈ 10 K, which arose as a consequence of simultaneous existence of different relaxation processes in Fe2O3 nanoparticle system. Complementarity of the applied measurements was utilized in order to single out distinct relaxation processes as well as to elucidate complex relaxation mechanisms in the investigated interacting nanoparticle system.

Thermal magnetic noise in a strip wound crystalline ferromagnetic core at 4.2 K

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Snigirev, O. V.; Maslennikov, Yu. V.; Vitale, S.; Cerdonio, M.; Prodi, G. A.

1996-01-01

A dc SQUID magnetometer-based system has been developed and used to measure, in the frequency range 50-2300 Hz, the complex magnetic permeability μr(ν) and the magnetization noise at 4.2 K in a strip wound toroid. This toroidal core has been made of the 3-μm-thick ribbon fabricated from a crystalline magnetically soft alloy, Ultraperm. Below 1 kHz a constant value of -arg[μr(ν)]≊2×10-3 and 1/ν shaped noise spectral density have been measured. For frequencies higher than 1 kHz a linear growth of the imaginary part μr and a white noise have been found. The noise due to the sample is found in quantitative agreement with the standard fluctuation-dissipation formula for the thermal noise, while a comparison of the permeability imaginary part magnitude with the theoretical value has indicated a partially shorted windings in the toroid, which have decreased the toroid roll-off frequency down to 1 MHz.

Critical Temperature of Randomly Diluted Two-Dimensional Heisenberg Ferromagnet, K2CuxZn(1-x)F4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okuda, Yuichi; Tohi, Yasuto; Yamada, Isao; Haseda, Taiichiro

1980-09-01

The susceptibility of randomly diluted two-dimensional Heisenberg-like ferromagnet K2CuxZn(1-x)F4 was measured down to 50 mK, using the 3He-4He dilution refrigerator and a SQUID magnetometer. The ferromagnetic critical temperature Tc(x) was obtained for x{=}0.98, 0.94, 0.85, 0.82, 0.68, 0.60, 0.54, 0.50 and 0.42. The value of [1/Tc(1)][(d/dx)Tc(x)]x=1 was approximately 3.0. The critical temperature versus x curve exhibits a noticeable tail near the critical concentration, which may stem from the second nearest-neighbor interaction. The critical concentration xc, below which concentration there is no long range order down to T{=}0 K, was estimated to be 0.45˜0.50. The susceptibility of sample with x{=}0.42 behaves as if it obeys the Curie law down to 50 mK.

Material Structure of a Graded Refractive Index Lens in Decapod Squid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cai, Jing; Heiney, Paul; Sweeney, Alison

2013-03-01

Underwater vision with a camera-type eye that is simultaneously acute and sensitive requires a spherical lens with a graded distribution of refractive index. Squids have this type of lens, and our previous work has shown that its optical properties are likely achieved with radially variable densities of a single protein with multiple isoforms. Here we measure the spatial organization of this novel protein material in concentric layers of the lens and use these data to suggest possible mechanisms of self-assembly of the proteins into a graded refractive index structure. First, we performed small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) to study how the protein is spatially organized. Then, molecular dynamic simulation allowed us to correlate structure to the possible dynamics of the system in different regions of the lens. The combination of simulation and SAXS data in this system revealed the likely protein-protein interactions, resulting material structure and its relationship to the observed and variable optical properties of this graded index system. We believe insights into the material properties of the squid lens system will inform the invention of self-assembling graded index devices.

Noninvasive liver iron measurements with a room-temperature susceptometer

PubMed Central

Avrin, W F; Kumar, S

2011-01-01

Magnetic susceptibility measurements on the liver can quantify iron overload accurately and noninvasively. However, established susceptometer designs, using Superconducting QUantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) that work in liquid helium, have been too expensive for widespread use. This paper presents a less expensive liver susceptometer that works at room temperature. This system uses oscillating magnetic fields, which are produced and detected by copper coils. The coil design cancels the signal from the applied field, eliminating noise from fluctuations of the source-coil current and sensor gain. The coil unit moves toward and away from the patient at 1 Hz, cancelling drifts due to thermal expansion of the coils. Measurements on a water phantom indicated instrumental errors less than 30 μg of iron per gram of wet liver tissue, which is small compared with other errors due to the response of the patient’s body. Liver iron measurements on eight thalassemia patients yielded a correlation coefficient r=0.98 between the room-temperature susceptometer and an existing SQUID. These results indicate that the fundamental accuracy limits of the room-temperature susceptometer are similar to those of the SQUID. PMID:17395991

High Tc SQUIDs and eddy-current NDE: a comprehensive investigation from real data to modelling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruosi, A.; Valentino, M.; Pepe, G.; Monebhurrun, V.; Lesselier, D.; Duchêne, B.

2000-11-01

The interest in magnetometry for eddy-current non-destructive testing, e.g. of planar conductive structures encountered in the aircraft industry, using high-temperature superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) is primarily due to their high sensitivity to magnetic flux even at very low frequencies. Here it is shown how theoretical, numerical and measurement machineries are combined to get reasonable synthetic and experimental data and to reach a good understanding of the interaction of diffusive wavefields with a damaged non-magnetic metal plate (as a first step towards the retrieval of pertinent features of the defects). The measurement modalities are considered first. It is illustrated in some detail how laboratory-controlled experiments are performed by a SQUID-based probe displaced above artificially damaged plates. Experimental data are then confronted with simulation results in order to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of this measurement system. Simulations are carried out by a computationally fast vector volume integral method dedicated to a planar layering affected by a volumetric defect, which involves the construction of the dyadic Green system of the layering.

Applied physics: Hybrid sensors ring the changes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wrachtrup, Jörg; Finkler, Amit

2014-08-01

An improved design for a class of magnetometer greatly increases the sensitivity of these devices -- and might be the vanguard of a new generation of hybrid sensors that combine different types of signal to increase sensitivity.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shao Xiaoqiang; Wang Hongfu; Zhang Shou

We present an approach for implementation of a 1->3 orbital state quantum cloning machine based on the quantum Zeno dynamics via manipulating three rf superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) qubits to resonantly interact with a superconducting cavity assisted by classical fields. Through appropriate modulation of the coupling constants between rf SQUIDs and classical fields, the quantum cloning machine can be realized within one step. We also discuss the effects of decoherence such as spontaneous emission and the loss of cavity in virtue of master equation. The numerical simulation result reveals that the quantum cloning machine is especially robust against themore » cavity decay, since all qubits evolve in the decoherence-free subspace with respect to cavity decay due to the quantum Zeno dynamics.« less

Remote detection of rotating machinery with a portable atomic magnetometer.

PubMed

Marmugi, Luca; Gori, Lorenzo; Hussain, Sarah; Deans, Cameron; Renzoni, Ferruccio

2017-01-20

We demonstrate remote detection of rotating machinery, using an atomic magnetometer at room temperature and in an unshielded environment. The system relies on the coupling of the AC magnetic signature of the target with the spin-polarized, precessing atomic vapor of a radio-frequency optical atomic magnetometer. The AC magnetic signatures of rotating equipment or electric motors appear as sidebands in the power spectrum of the atomic sensor, which can be tuned to avoid noisy bands that would otherwise hamper detection. A portable apparatus is implemented and experimentally tested. Proof-of-concept investigations are performed with test targets mimicking possible applications, and the operational conditions for optimum detection are determined. Our instrument provides comparable or better performance than a commercial fluxgate and allows detection of rotating machinery behind a wall. These results demonstrate the potential for ultrasensitive devices for remote industrial and usage monitoring, security, and surveillance.

Space magnetometer based on an anisotropic magnetoresistive hybrid sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brown, P.; Whiteside, B. J.; Beek, T. J.; Fox, P.; Horbury, T. S.; Oddy, T. M.; Archer, M. O.; Eastwood, J. P.; Sanz-Hernández, D.; Sample, J. G.; Cupido, E.; O'Brien, H.; Carr, C. M.

2014-12-01

We report on the design and development of a low resource, dual sensor vector magnetometer for space science applications on very small spacecraft. It is based on a hybrid device combining an orthogonal triad of commercial anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) sensors with a totem pole H-Bridge drive on a ceramic substrate. The drive enables AMR operation in the more sensitive flipped mode and this is achieved without the need for current spike transmission down a sensor harness. The magnetometer has sensitivity of better than 3 nT in a 0-10 Hz band and a total mass of 104 g. Three instruments have been launched as part of the TRIO-CINEMA space weather mission, inter-calibration against the International Geomagnetic Reference Field model makes it possible to extract physical signals such as field-aligned current deflections of 20-60 nT within an approximately 45 000 nT ambient field.

Analogue Hawking radiation in a dc-SQUID array transmission line.

PubMed

Nation, P D; Blencowe, M P; Rimberg, A J; Buks, E

2009-08-21

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.

SNS Heterojunctions With New Combinations Of Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vasquez, Richard P.; Hunt, Brian D.; Foote, Marc C.

1992-01-01

New combinations of materials proposed for superconductor/normal-metal/superconductor (SNS) heterojunctions in low-temperature electronic devices such as fast switches, magnetometers, and mixers. Epitaxial heterojunctions formed between high-temperature superconductors and either oxide semiconductors or metals. Concept offers alternative to other three-layer heterojunction concepts; physical principles of operation permit SNS devices to have thicker barrier layers and fabricated more easily.

Parahydrogen-enhanced zero-field nuclear magnetic resonance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Theis, T.; Ganssle, P.; Kervern, G.; Knappe, S.; Kitching, J.; Ledbetter, M. P.; Budker, D.; Pines, A.

2011-07-01

Nuclear magnetic resonance, conventionally detected in magnetic fields of several tesla, is a powerful analytical tool for the determination of molecular identity, structure and function. With the advent of prepolarization methods and detection schemes using atomic magnetometers or superconducting quantum interference devices, interest in NMR in fields comparable to the Earth's magnetic field and below (down to zero field) has been revived. Despite the use of superconducting quantum interference devices or atomic magnetometers, low-field NMR typically suffers from low sensitivity compared with conventional high-field NMR. Here we demonstrate direct detection of zero-field NMR signals generated through parahydrogen-induced polarization, enabling high-resolution NMR without the use of any magnets. The sensitivity is sufficient to observe spectra exhibiting 13C-1H scalar nuclear spin-spin couplings (known as J couplings) in compounds with 13C in natural abundance, without the need for signal averaging. The resulting spectra show distinct features that aid chemical fingerprinting.

Particle swarm optimization algorithm based low cost magnetometer calibration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ali, A. S.; Siddharth, S., Syed, Z., El-Sheimy, N.

2011-12-01

Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) consist of accelerometers, gyroscopes and a microprocessor provide inertial digital data from which position and orientation is obtained by integrating the specific forces and rotation rates. In addition to the accelerometers and gyroscopes, magnetometers can be used to derive the absolute user heading based on Earth's magnetic field. Unfortunately, the measurements of the magnetic field obtained with low cost sensors are corrupted by several errors including manufacturing defects and external electro-magnetic fields. Consequently, proper calibration of the magnetometer is required to achieve high accuracy heading measurements. In this paper, a Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) based calibration algorithm is presented to estimate the values of the bias and scale factor of low cost magnetometer. The main advantage of this technique is the use of the artificial intelligence which does not need any error modeling or awareness of the nonlinearity. The estimated bias and scale factor errors from the proposed algorithm improve the heading accuracy and the results are also statistically significant. Also, it can help in the development of the Pedestrian Navigation Devices (PNDs) when combined with the INS and GPS/Wi-Fi especially in the indoor environments

Performance of an on-chip superconducting circulator for quantum microwave systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chapman, Benjamin; Rosenthal, Eric; Moores, Bradley; Kerckhoff, Joseph; Mates, J. A. B.; Hilton, G. C.; Vale, L. R.; Ullom, J. N.; LalumíEre, Kevin; Blais, Alexandre; Lehnert, K. W.

Microwave circulators enforce a single propagation direction for signals in an electrical network. Unfortunately, commercial circulators are bulky, lossy, and cannot be integrated close to superconducting circuits because they require strong ( kOe) magnetic fields produced by permanent magnets. Here we report on the performance of an on-chip, active circulator for superconducting microwave circuits, which uses no permanent magnets. Non-reciprocity is achieved by actively modulating reactive elements around 100 MHz, giving roughly a factor of 50 in the separation between signal and control frequencies, which facilitates filtering. The circulator's active components are dynamically tunable inductors constructed with arrays of dc-SQUIDs in series. Array inductance is tuned by varying the magnetic flux through the SQUIDs with fields weaker than 1 Oe. Although the instantaneous bandwidth of the device is narrow, the operation frequency is tunable between 4 and 8 GHz. This presentation will describe the device's theory of operation and compare its measured performance to design goals. This work is supported by the ARO under contract W911NF-14-1-0079 and the National Science Foundation under Grant Number 1125844.

The DCU: the detector control unit of the SAFARI instrument onboard SPICA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clénet, A.; Ravera, L.; Bertrand, B.; Cros, A.; Hou, R.; Jackson, B. D.; van Leeuwen, B. J.; Van Loon, D.; Parot, Y.; Pointecouteau, E.; Sournac, A.; Ta, N.

2012-09-01

The SpicA FAR infrared Instrument (SAFARI) is a European instrument for the infrared domain telescope SPICA, a JAXA space mission. The SAFARI detectors are Transistor Edge Sensors (TES) arranged in 3 matrixes. The TES front end electronic is based on Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) and it does the readout of the 3500 detectors with Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM) type architecture. The Detector Control Unit (DCU), contributed by IRAP, manages the readout of the TES by computing and providing the AC-bias signals (1 - 3 MHz) to the TES and by computing the demodulation of the returning signals. The SQUID being highly non-linear, the DCU has also to provide a feedback signal to increase the SQUID dynamic. Because of the propagation delay in the cables and the processing time, a classic feedback will not be stable for AC-bias frequencies up to 3 MHz. The DCU uses a specific technique to compensate for those delays: the BaseBand FeedBack (BBFB). This digital data processing is done for the 3500 pixels in parallel. Thus, to keep the DCU power budget within its allocation we have to specifically optimize the architecture of the digital circuit with respect to the power consumption. In this paper we will mainly present the DCU architecture. We will particularly focus on the BBFB technique used to linearize the SQUID and on the optimization done to reduce the power consumption of the digital processing circuit.

Structural, magnetic, elastic, dielectric and electrical properties of hot-press sintered Co1-xZnxFe2O4 (x = 0.0, 0.5) spinel ferrite nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh Yadav, Raghvendra; Kuřitka, Ivo; Havlica, Jaromir; Hnatko, Miroslav; Alexander, Cigáň; Masilko, Jiri; Kalina, Lukas; Hajdúchová, Miroslava; Rusnak, Jaroslav; Enev, Vojtěch

2018-02-01

In this article, Co1-xZnxFe2O4 (x = 0.0 and 0.5) disc-shaped pellets were formed by hot-press sintering of nanoparticles at temperature 925 °C for 10 min in vacuum atmosphere under 30 MPa mechanical pressure. X-ray diffraction study confirmed the formation of spinel cubic ferrite structure of hot-press sintered spinel ferrite Co1-xZnxFe2O4 (x = 0.0 and 0.5) samples. The scanning electron microscopy image indicated that the growth and densification of smaller ferrite nanoparticles were higher than larger ferrite nanoparticles. Magnetic properties of sintered samples were investigated by the superconducting quantum interface device (SQUID) magnetometer at room temperature. The hot press sintered Co1-xZnxFe2O4 (x = 0.0 and 0.5) pellet samples exhibited magnetic properties dependent on the grain size of spinel ferrite particles. The maximum saturation magnetization 82.47 emu/g was obtained for Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 hot press sintered sample of ball-milled ferrite particles. Further, the impact of grain size and density of sample on hardness, dielectric property and ac conductivity of hot-press sintered samples was investigated. In addition, the longitudinal wave velocity (Vl), transverse wave velocity (Vt), mean elastic wave velocity (Vm), bulk modulus (B), rigidity modulus (G), Young's modulus (E), Poisson ratio (σ) and Debye temperature (θD) were calculated. The elastic moduli of hot press sintered ferrite samples were corrected to zero porosity using Hosselman and Fulrath model.

Earth's Paleomagnetosphere and Planetary Habitability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tarduno, J. A.; Blackman, E. G.; Oda, H.; Bono, R. K.; Carroll-Nellenback, J.; Cottrell, R. D.; Nimmo, F.

2017-12-01

The geodynamo is thought to play an important role in protecting Earth's hydrosphere, vital for life as we know it, from loss due to the erosive potential of the solar wind. Here we consider the mechanisms and history of this shielding. A larger core dynamo magnetic field strength provides more pressure to abate the solar wind dynamic pressure, increasing the magnetopause radius. However, the larger magnetopause also implies a larger collecting area for solar wind flux during phases of magnetic reconnection. The important variable is not mass capture but energy transfer, which does not scale linearly with magnetosphere size. Moreover, the ordered field provides the magnetic topology for recapturing atmospheric components in the opposite hemisphere such that the net global loss might not be greatly affected. While a net protection role for magnetospheres is suggested, forcing by the solar wind will change with stellar age. Paleomagnetism utilizing the single silicate crystal approach, defines a relatively strong field some 3.45 billion years ago (the Paleoarchean), but with a reduced magnetopause of 5 Earth radii, implying the potential for some atmospheric loss. Terrestrial zircons from the Jack Hills (Western Australia) and other localities host magnetic inclusions, whose magnetization has now been recorded by a new generation of ultra-sensitive 3-component SQUID magnetometer (U. Rochester) and SQUID microscope (GSJ/AIST). Paleointensity data suggest the presence of a terrestrial dynamo and magnetic shielding for Eoarchean to Hadean times, at ages as old as 4.2 billion years ago. However, the magnetic data suggest that for intervals >100,000 years long, magnetopause standoff distances may have reached 3 to 4 Earth radii or less. The early inception of the geodynamo, which probably occurred shortly after the lunar-forming impact, its continuity, and an early robust hydrosphere, appear to be key ingredients for Earth's long-term habitability.

Interball-1 and MIR orbital station coordinated magnetic field and energetic particles measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klimov, S. I.; Grushin, V. A.; Lissakov, Yu. V.; Nozdrachev, M. N.; Petrukovich, A. A.; Grachev, E. A.; Grigoryan, O. R.; Lysakov, D. S.; Schwingenschuh, K.; Auster, H. U.; Fornacon, K.-H.; Rustenbach, J.; Korepanov, V. E.; Juchniewicz, J.; Afanasjev, Yu. V.; Kudela, K.

Magnetic field measurements in solar wind and outer magnetosphere onboard the INTERBALL-1 spacecraft were performed by the following magnetometers: MIF-M magnetometer with both DC sensor (BPP) having 0.2 nT threshold sensitivity at DC and 5 pT at 1 Hz and AC sensor (DM2) with the sensitivity about 0.2 nT at 1 Hz and 0.4 pT at 100 Hz; FGM-I DC magnetometer with threshold sensitivity of 5 pT at 1 Hz; FM-31 DC magnetometer with two sensors having 0.1 nT (sensor MI) and 1.0 nT (sensor M2) threshold sensitivity. During INTERBALL-1 operation the ionosphere experiment SPRUT-VI onboard the MIR station was performed from 06/13-08/26/1999. The measurements of DC magnetic field, electron and ion fluxes at energies between 50 keV-2.5 MeV and 50 keV-30 MeV were made. The SPRUT-MAG digital magnetometer for this experiment is based on the one developed for the ESA Rosetta Lander device ROMAP which threshold sensitivity was about 5 pT/(Hz) 1/2 at 1 Hz. This paper discusses the possibility of signals processing with the aim to separate the artificial (technical, connected with the MIR onboard system operation) and natural origin signals as well as to estimate the level of ULF/ELF magnetic field disturbances and particle flows bursts.

SQUID readout and ultra-low magnetic fields for Gravity Probe-B (GP-B)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lockhart, James M.

1986-01-01

The superconducting readout system to be used for resolving 0.001 arcsec changes in the gyroscope spin direction in the Relativity Gyroscope (GP-B) experiment is described. This system couples the London magnetic moment flux of the spinning gyro to a low noise superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) detector. Resolution limits and noise performance of the detection system are discussed, and improvements obtained and expected with advanced SQUIDs are presented. Also described is the novel use of superconducting magnetic shielding techniques to obtain a 250 dB attenuation of the earth's magnetic field at the location of the gyroscopes. In this approach, expanded superconducting foil shields are coupled with fixed cylindrical superconducting shields and special geometric considerations to obtain the extremely high attenuation factor required. With these shielding techniques, it appears that the 0.5-Gauss earth field (which appears to the gyroscopes as an ac field at the satellite roll rate) can be reduced to the 10 to the -13th G level required by the experiment. Recent results concerning improvements in the performance of the superconducting foil techniques obtained with the use of a new computer-controlled cooling system are presented.

High-sensitivity cooled coil system for nuclear magnetic resonance in kHz range

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lin, Tingting; Zhao, Jing, E-mail: zhaojing-8239@jlu.edu.cn; Peter Grünberg Institute

2014-11-15

In several low-field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (LF-NMR) and surface nuclear magnetic resonance applications, i.e., in the frequency range of kHz, high sensitivity magnetic field detectors are needed. Usually, low-T{sub c} superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) with a high field sensitivity of about 1 fT/Hz{sup 1/2} are employed as detectors. Considering the flux trapping and operational difficulties associated with low-T{sub c} SQUIDs, we designed and fabricated liquid-nitrogen-cooled Cu coils for NMR detection in the kHz range. A cooled coil system consisting of a 9-cm diameter Cu coil and a low noise preamplifier was systematically investigated and reached a sensitivity of 2more » fT/Hz{sup 1/2} at 77 K, which is 3 times better compared to the sensitivity at 300 K. A Q-switch circuit as an essential element for damping the ringing effects of the pickup coil was developed to acquire free induction decay signals of a water sample with minimum loss of signal. Our studies demonstrate that cooled Cu coils, if designed properly, can provide a comparable sensitivity to low-T{sub c} SQUIDs.« less

Fabrication and Evaluation of Superconducting and Semiconducting Materials

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-09-01

Laboratory Material Physics Branch by conducting investigations into the properties of superconducting , magnetic , and other solid state materials. Studies...Physics Branch in conducting research into applied problems such as the design of magnetic shielding and superconducting quantum interference device...SQUID) magnetometry detection of magnetic anomalies. SFA provided research assistance in the areas of bulk ceramic sample preparation. conversion

Superconducting Quantum Interference Device Array Based High Frequency Direction Finding on an Airborne Platform

DTIC Science & Technology

is performed using the MUSIC algorithm on the signals received on the non-uniform phased array, and the ESPRIT algorithm is used on the signals...received on the non-colocated vector sensor. The simulation results show that the MUSIC algorithm using 2D Bi-SQUIDs is able to differentiate two signals

The 9th Aerospace Mechanisms Symposium

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1975-01-01

Papers are presented dealing with performance and development of various spacecraft components, mechanical devices, and subsystems. Topics discussed include: manipulator arms, the Skylab Parasol, cooling system performance, extendable booms, magnetically suspended reaction wheels, the Skylab Trash Airlock, magnetometers, actuators, life support systems, and technology transfer.

Novel semi-airborne CSEM system for the exploration of mineral resources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nittinger, Christian; Cherevatova, Maria; Becken, Michael; Rochlitz, Raphael; Günther, Thomas; Martin, Tina; Matzander, Ulrich

2017-04-01

Within the DESMEX project (Deep Electromagnetic Sounding for Mineral Exploration), a semi-airborne CSEM system for mineral exploration is developed which aims to achieve a penetration depth of 1 km with a large areal coverage. Harmonically Time-varying electrical currents are injected with a grounded transmitter in order to measure the electric field on the ground and induced magnetic fields with highly sensitive magnetic sensors in the air. To measure the magnetic field and its variations, three-axis induction coils (MFS-11e by Metronix) and fluxgate sensors (Bartington FGS-03) are mounted on the platform towed by a helicopter. In addition, there is a SQUID based magnetometer, developed by IPHT and Supracon AG, available for future measurements. We deploy the different magnetometer sensors to cover a broad frequency range of 1-10000Hz. During the flight, the sensors encounter a broad variety of motion/vibration which produces noise in the magnetic field sensors. Therefore, a high accuracy motion tracking system is installed within the bird and a low vibrating system design needs to be considered in the airborne sensor platform. We conducted several flights with different source positions in a test area in Germany, which is already covered by ground based measurements. Based on the data, we discuss possible calibration schemes which are needed to overcome orthogonality and scaling errors in the fluxgate data as well as orientation errors. We apply noise correction schemes to the data and calculate transfer functions between the magnetic field and the source current. First 1-D inversion models based on the estimated transfer functions are calculated and compared to existing conductivity models from DC geoelectrics and helicopter electromagnetic (HEM) measurements.

Assessing the trophic position and ecological role of squids in marine ecosystems by means of food-web models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coll, Marta; Navarro, Joan; Olson, Robert J.; Christensen, Villy

2013-10-01

We synthesized available information from ecological models at local and regional scales to obtain a global picture of the trophic position and ecological role of squids in marine ecosystems. First, static food-web models were used to analyze basic ecological parameters and indicators of squids: biomass, production, consumption, trophic level, omnivory index, predation mortality diet, and the ecological role. In addition, we developed various dynamic temporal simulations using two food-web models that included squids in their parameterization, and we investigated potential impacts of fishing pressure and environmental conditions for squid populations and, consequently, for marine food webs. Our results showed that squids occupy a large range of trophic levels in marine food webs and show a large trophic width, reflecting the versatility in their feeding behaviors and dietary habits. Models illustrated that squids are abundant organisms in marine ecosystems, and have high growth and consumption rates, but these parameters are highly variable because squids are adapted to a large variety of environmental conditions. Results also show that squids can have a large trophic impact on other elements of the food web, and top-down control from squids to their prey can be high. In addition, some squid species are important prey of apical predators and may be keystone species in marine food webs. In fact, we found strong interrelationships between neritic squids and the populations of their prey and predators in coastal and shelf areas, while the role of squids in open ocean and upwelling ecosystems appeared more constrained to a bottom-up impact on their predators. Therefore, large removals of squids will likely have large-scale effects on marine ecosystems. In addition, simulations confirm that squids are able to benefit from a general increase in fishing pressure, mainly due to predation release, and quickly respond to changes triggered by the environment. Squids may thus be very sensitive to the effects of fishing and climate change.

Performance of Large Format Transition Edge Sensor Microcalorimeter Arrays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chervenak, J. A.; Adams, J. A.; Bandler, S. B.; Busch, S. E.; Eckart, M. E.; Ewin, A. E.; Finkbeiner, F. M.; Kilbourne, C. A.; Kelley, R. L.; Porst, J. P.;

Low field electron paramagnetic resonance imaging with SQUID detection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hahn, Inseob (Inventor); Day, Peter K. (Inventor); Penanen, Konstantin I. (Inventor); Eom, Byeong H. (Inventor); Cohen, Mark S. (Inventor)

2012-01-01

In one embodiment, a flux transformer with a gradiometer pickup coil is magnetically coupled to a SQUID, and a SQUID array amplifier comprising a plurality of SQUIDs, connected in series, is magnetically coupled to the output of the SQUID. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Magnetic susceptibility characterisation of superparamagnetic microspheres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grob, David Tim; Wise, Naomi; Oduwole, Olayinka; Sheard, Steve

2018-04-01

The separation of magnetic materials in microsystems using magnetophoresis has increased in popularity. The wide variety and availability of magnetic beads has fuelled this drive. It is important to know the magnetic characteristics of the microspheres in order to accurately use them in separation processes integrated on a lab-on-a-chip device. To investigate the magnetic susceptibility of magnetic microspheres, the magnetic responsiveness of three types of Dynabeads microspheres were tested using two different approaches. The magnetophoretic mobility of individual microspheres is studied using a particle tracking system and the magnetization of each type of Dynabeads microsphere is measured using SQUID relaxometry. The magnetic beads' susceptibility is obtained at four different applied magnetic fields in the range of 38-70 mT for both the mobility and SQUID measurements. The susceptibility values in both approaches show a consistent magnetic field dependence.

Variable temperature superconducting microscope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Bo; Yeh, W. J.

2000-03-01

We have developed and tested a promising type of superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) microscope, which can be used to detect vortex motion and can operate in magnetic fields over a large temperature range. The system utilizes a single-loop coupling transformer, consisting of a patterned high Tc superconducting thin film. At one end of the transformer, a 20 μm diam detecting loop is placed close to the sample. At the other end, a large loop is coupled to a NbTi coil, which is connected to a low Tc SQUID sensor. Transformers in a variety of sizes have been tested and calibrated. The results show that the system is capable of detecting the motion of a single vortex. We have used the microscope to study the behavior of moving vortices at various positions in a YBa2Cu3O7 thin film bridge.

DC current distribution mapping system of the solar panels using a HTS-SQUID gradiometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miyazaki, Shingo; Kasuya, Syohei; Mawardi Saari, Mohd; Sakai, Kenji; Kiwa, Toshihiko; Tsukamoto, Akira; Adachi, Seiji; Tanabe, Keiichi; Tsukada, Keiji

2014-05-01

Solar panels are expected to play a major role as a source of sustainable energy. In order to evaluate solar panels, non-destructive tests, such as defect inspections and response property evaluations, are necessary. We developed a DC current distribution mapping system of the solar panels using a High Critical Temperature Superconductor Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (HTS-SQUID) gradiometer with ramp edge type Josephson junctions. Two independent components of the magnetic fields perpendicular to the panel surface (∂Bz/∂x, ∂Bz/∂y) were detected. The direct current of the solar panel is visualized by calculating the composition of the two signal components, the phase angle, and mapping the DC current vector. The developed system can evaluate the uniformity of DC current distributions precisely and may be applicable for defect detection of solar panels.

Tunnel Magneto Resistance of Fe/Insulator/Fe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aryee, Dennis; Seifu, Dereje

Tri-layer thin films of Fe/Insulator/Fe were synthesized using magnetron DC/ RF sputtering with MgO insulator and Bi2Te3 topological insulators as middle buffer layer. The multi-layered samples thus produced were studied using in-house built magneto-optic Kerr effect (MOKE) instrument, vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), torque magnetometer (TMM), AFM, MFM, and magneto-resistance (MR). This system, that is Fe/Insulator/Fe on MgO(100) substrate, is a well-known tunnel magneto resistance (TMR) structure often used in magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) devices. TMR effect is a method by which MTJs are used in developing magneto-resistive random access memory (MRAM), magnetic sensors, and novel logic devices. The main purpose behind this research is to measure the magnetic anisotropy of Fe/Insulator /Fe structure and correlate it to magneto-resistance. In this presentation, we will present results from MOKE, VSM, TMM, AFM, MFM, and MR studies of Fe/Insulator/Fe on MgO(100). We would like to acknowledge support by NSF-MRI-DMR-1337339.

Development of transition edge sensors with rf-SQUID based multiplexing system for the HOLMES experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Puiu, A.; Becker, D.; Bennett, D.; Faverzani, M.; Ferri, E.; Fowler, J.; Gard, J.; Hays-Wehle, J.; Hilton, G.; Giachero, A.; Maino, M.; Mates, J.; Nucciotti, A.; Schmidt, D.; Swetz, D.; Ullom, J.; Vale, L.

2017-09-01

Measuring the neutrino mass is one the most compelling issue in particle physics. HOLMES is an experiment funded by the European Research Council for a direct measurement of neutrino mass. HOLMES will perform a precise measurement of the end point of the Electron Capture decay spectrum of 163Ho in order to extract information on neutrino mass with a sensitivity as low as 1 eV. HOLMES, in its final configuration will deploy a 1000 pixel array of low temperature microcalorimeters: each calorimeter consists of an absorber, where the Ho atoms will be implanted, coupled to a Transition Edge Sensor thermometer. The detectors will be kept at the working temperature of ˜70 mK using a dilution refrigerator. In order to gather the required 3 × 1013 events in a three year long data taking with a pile up fraction as low as 10-4, detectors must fulfill rather high speed and resolution requirements, i.e. 10 µs rise time and 4 eV resolution. To ensure such performances with an efficient read out technique for very large detectors array kept at low temperature inside a cryostat is no trivial matter: at the moment, the most appealing read out technique applicable to large arrays of Transition Edge Sensors is rf-SQUID multiplexing. It is based on the use of rf-SQUIDs as input devices with flux ramp modulation for linearisation purposes; the rf-SQUID is then coupled to a super-conductive λ/4-wave resonator in the GHz range, and the modulated signal is finally read out using the homodyne technique.

Structure and magnetic properties of SiO{sub 2}/PCL novel sol–gel organic–inorganic hybrid materials

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Catauro, Michelina, E-mail: michelina.catauro@unina2.it; Bollino, Flavia; Cristina Mozzati, Maria

2013-07-15

Organic–inorganic nanocomposite materials have been synthesized via sol–gel. They consist of an inorganic SiO{sub 2} matrix, in which different percentages of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) have been incorporated. The formation of H-bonds among the carbonyl groups of the polymer chains and Si–OH group of the inorganic matrix has been proved by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis and has been confirmed by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis highlighted the amorphous nature of the synthesized materials. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrograph and atomic force microscope (AFM) topography showed their homogeneous morphology and nanostructure nature. Considering the opportunitymore » to synthesize these hybrid materials under microgravity conditions by means of magnetic levitation, superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry has been used to quantify their magnetic susceptibility. This measure has shown that the SiO{sub 2}/PCL hybrid materials are diamagnetic and that their diamagnetic susceptibility is independent of temperature and increases with the PCL amount. - Graphical abstract: Characterization and magnetic properties of SiO{sub 2}/PCL organic–inorganic hybrid materials synthesized via sol–gel. FT-IR, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; solid-state NMR: solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance; SQUID: superconducting quantum interference device. - Highlights: • Sol–gel synthesis of SiO{sub 2}/PCL amorphous class I organic–inorganic hybrid materials. • FT-IR and NMR analyses show the hydrogen bonds formation between SiO{sub 2} and PCL. • AFM and SEM analyses confirm that the SiO{sub 2}/PCL are homogenous hybrid materials. • The SQUID measures show that the simples are diamagnetic. • Diamagnetic susceptibility of SiO{sub 2}/PCL materials increases with the PCL amount.« less

Nuclear-Spin Gyroscope Based on an Atomic Co-Magnetometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Romalis, Michael; Komack, Tom; Ghost, Rajat

2008-01-01

An experimental nuclear-spin gyroscope is based on an alkali-metal/noblegas co-magnetometer, which automatically cancels the effects of magnetic fields. Whereas the performances of prior nuclear-spin gyroscopes are limited by sensitivity to magnetic fields, this gyroscope is insensitive to magnetic fields and to other external perturbations. In addition, relative to prior nuclear-spin gyroscopes, this one exhibits greater sensitivity to rotation. There is commercial interest in development of small, highly sensitive gyroscopes. The present experimental device could be a prototype for development of nuclear spin gyroscopes suitable for navigation. In comparison with fiber-optic gyroscopes, these gyroscopes would draw less power and would be smaller, lighter, more sensitive, and less costly.

Dual technique magnetometer experiment for the Cassini Orbiter spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Southwood, D. J.; Balogh, A.; Smith, E. J.

1992-01-01

The dual technique magnetometer to fly on the Cassini Saturn Orbiter Spacecraft is described. The instrument combines two separate techniques of measuring the magnetic field in space using both fluxgate and vector helium devices. In addition, the instrument can be operated in a special scalar mode which is to be used near the planet for highly accurate determination of the interior field of the planet. As well as the planetary field, the instrument will make large contributions to the scientific measurements of the planetary magnetosphere, the highly electrically conducting region of space surrounding Saturn permeated by the Saturnian field, the interaction of Saturn and the interplanetary medium and the interaction of Titan with its space environment.

The magnetic introduction of magnetite nanoparticles into live cells for radiosensibility enhancement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yurenya, Anton Y.; Polikarpov, Mikhail A.; Chukalova, Aynur A.; Moskaleva, Elizaveta Y.; Taldenkov, Alexander N.; Panchenko, Vladislav Y.

2017-04-01

Earlier we proposed a new radiotherapy enhancement method that entails the administration of 57Fe iron-oxide nanoparticles into the cells [5]. Within this work we were prompt to investigate the capability of iron oxide nanoparticles with monolayer coating to penetrate into live cells. Magnetite particle samples were synthesized and stabilized with HCl or citric acid. The cells were incubated in the presence of nanoparticles for 1 h, washed and dried. To distinguish inside-cell particles from outside ones a set of experiments with low temperature incubation was carried out. Several cell samples were prepared in the presence of an external magnetic field in order to study the possibility of the nanoparticle uptake enhancement. To evaluate the amount of particles in each cell sample we used a SQUID-magnetometer. The nanoparticle suspension with HCl stabilization turned to be inadequate for intracellular introduction. Approximately 2·105 particles with citric acid covering conjugated with each cell after incubation at normal conditions. An application of an external magnetic field increased this amount up to 107 particles/cell. Most probably much of these particles penetrated into cells.

Phase transitions, magnetotransport and magnetocaloric effects in a new family of quaternary Ni-Mn-In-Z Heusler alloys.

PubMed

Kazakov, Alexander; Prudnikov, Valerii; Granovsky, Alexander; Perov, Nikolai; Dubenko, Igor; Pathak, Arjun Kumar; Samanta, Tapas; Stadler, Shane; Ali, Naushad; Zhukov, Arcady; Ilyin, Maxim; Gonzalez, Julian

2012-09-01

The magnetic, magnetotransport, and magnetocaloric properties near compound phase transitions in Ni50Mn35In14Z (Z = In, Ge, Al), and Ni48Co2Mn35In15 Heusler alloys have been studied using VSM and SQUID magnetometers (at magnetic fields (H) up to 5 T), four-probe method (at H = 0.005-1.5 T), and an adiabatic magnetocalorimeter (for H changes up to deltaH = 1.8 T), respectively. The martensitic transformation (MT) is accompanied by large magnetoresistance (up to 70%), a significant change in resistivity (up to 200%), and a sign reversal of the ordinary Hall effect coefficient, all related to a strong change in the electronic spectrum at the MT. The field dependences of the Hall resistance are complex in the vicinity of the MT, indicating a change in the relative concentrations of the austenite and martensite phases at strong fields. Negative and positive changes in adiabatic temperatures of about -2 K and +2 K have been observed in the vicinity of MT and Curie temperatures, respectively, for deltaH = 1.8 T.

Magnetic properties of epitaxial hexagonal HoFeO3 thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xiao; Xiao, Zhuyun; Xu, Xiaoshan; Wang, Wenbin; Keavney, David; Liu, Yaohua; Cheng, X. M.

2014-03-01

Multiferroic materials exhibit multiple ferroic orders simultaneously and thus have great potential applications in information technology, sensing and actuation. Epitaxial hexagonal HoFeO3 (h-HFO) films are very promising candidates as multiferroic materials with room temperature ferromagnetism, because magnetic Ho3+ ions are expected to have stronger exchange interactions with Fe3+ ions than the well-studied h-LuFeO3 films. We report study of magnetic properties of epitaxial h-HFO thin films deposited using laser molecular beam epitaxy on Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) substrates. X-ray diffraction measurements confirmed the epitaxial registry and six-fold symmetry of the film. Temperature dependence of magnetization of the film measured by a Quantum Design SQUID magnetometer shows dominating paramagnetic characteristic. Element specific x-ray magnetic circular dichroism measurements performed at beamline 4-ID-C of the Advanced Photon Source show a ferromagnetic ordering of Fe and an exchange coupling between Ho3+ and Fe3+ ions. Work at BMC is supported by NSF Career award (DMR 1053854). Work at ANL is supported by US-DOE, Office of Science, BES (No. DE-AC02-06CH11357).

Effect of grain alignment on magnetic properties of Hg(Re)-1223 superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakamoto, N.; Noguchi, S.; Akune, T.; Matsumoto, Y.

2002-08-01

Alignment of HgBa 2Ca 2Cu 3Re 0.2O y (Hg(Re)-1223) powders was made in epoxy resin under a high magnetic field of 10 T to be confirmed by X-ray analysis. DC magnetizations and AC susceptibilities of the grain aligned specimen were measured by SQUID and PPMS magnetometers at temperatures of 5-110 K and under the field of 0-14 T for both field directions of B parallel and perpendicular to ab-plane. The magnetization width for B parallel to the c-axis ΔMc showed high values at low field, decreased rather rapidly with the magnetic field compared to that for B parallel to the ab-plane ΔMab and became lower than ΔMab above a crossing field Bcr. Peak-heights of the imaginary parts of the AC susceptibilities χ″ were largest at B∥ c-axis. Non-aligned samples always showed intermediate characteristics between B∥ c-axis and B∥ ab-plane. Irreversibility fields of all samples were also evaluated. Correlations of the pinning mechanism with the crystal axis orientations are discussed.

Be together, not the same: Spatiotemporal organization of different cilia types generates distinct transport functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nawroth, Janna; Guo, Hanliang; Ruby, Edward; Dabiri, John; McFall-Ngai, Margaret; Kanso, Eva

2016-11-01

Motile cilia are microscopic, hair-like structures on the cell surface that can sense and propel the extracellular fluid environment. Cilia are often thought to be limited to stereotypic morphologies, beat kinematics and non-discriminatory clearance functions, but we find that the spatiotemporal organization of different cilia types and beat behaviors can generate complex flow patterns and transport functions. Here, we present a case study in the Hawaiian bobtail squid where collective ciliary activity and resulting flow fields help recruit symbiont bacteria to the animal host. In particular, we demonstrate empirically and computationally how the squid's internal cilia act like a microfluidic device that actively filters the water for potential bacterial candidates and also provides a sheltered zone allowing for accumulation of mucus and bacteria into a biofilm. Moreover, in this sheltered zone, different cilia-driven flows enhance diffusion of biochemical signals, which could accelerate specific bacteria-host recognition. These results suggest that studying cilia activity on the population level might reveal a diverse range of biological transport and sensing functions. Moreover, understanding cilia as functional building blocks could inspire the design of ciliated robots and devices.

Development of Geomagnetic Monitoring System Using a Magnetometer for the Field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Young-Cheol; Kim, Sung-Wook; Choi, Eun-Kyeong; Kim, In-Soo

2014-05-01

Three institutes including KMA (Korea Meteorological Administration), KSWC (Korean Space Weather Center) of NRRA (National Radio Research Agency) and KIGAM (Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources) are now operating magnetic observatories. Those observatories observe the total intensity and three components of geomagnetic element. This paper comes up with a magnetic monitoring system now under development that uses a magnetometer for field survey. In monitoring magnetic variations in areas (active faults or volcanic regions), more reliable results can be obtained when an array of several magnetometers are used rather than a single magnetometer. In order to establish and operate a magnetometer array, such factors as expenses, convenience of the establishment and operation of the array should be taken into account. This study has come up with a magnetic monitoring system complete with a magnetometer for the field survey of our own designing. A magnetic monitoring system, which is composed of two parts. The one is a field part and the other a data part. The field part is composed of a magnetometer, an external memory module, a power supply and a set of data transmission equipment. The data part is a data server which can store the data transmitted from the field part, analyze the data and provide service to the web. This study has developed an external memory module for ENVI-MAG (Scintrex Ltd.) using an embedded Cortex-M3 board, which can be programmed, attach other functional devices (SD memory cards, GPS antennas for time synchronization, ethernet cards and so forth). The board thus developed can store magnetic measurements up to 8 Gbytes, synchronize with the GPS time and transmit the magnetic measurements to the data server which is now under development. A monitoring system of our own developing was installed in Jeju island, taking measurements throughout Korea. Other parts including a data transfer module, a server and a power supply using solar power will continue to be developed in the days to come. Acknowlegments This work was funded by the Korea Meteorological Administration Research and Development Program under Grant CATER 2006-5074

Optimized Geometry for Superconducting Sensing Coils

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eom, Byeong Ho; Pananen, Konstantin; Hahn, Inseob

2008-01-01

An optimized geometry has been proposed for superconducting sensing coils that are used in conjunction with superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetoencephalography (MEG), and related applications in which magnetic fields of small dipoles are detected. In designing a coil of this type, as in designing other sensing coils, one seeks to maximize the sensitivity of the detector of which the coil is a part, subject to geometric constraints arising from the proximity of other required equipment. In MRI or MEG, the main benefit of maximizing the sensitivity would be to enable minimization of measurement time. In general, to maximize the sensitivity of a detector based on a sensing coil coupled with a SQUID sensor, it is necessary to maximize the magnetic flux enclosed by the sensing coil while minimizing the self-inductance of this coil. Simply making the coil larger may increase its self-inductance and does not necessarily increase sensitivity because it also effectively increases the distance from the sample that contains the source of the signal that one seeks to detect. Additional constraints on the size and shape of the coil and on the distance from the sample arise from the fact that the sample is at room temperature but the coil and the SQUID sensor must be enclosed within a cryogenic shield to maintain superconductivity.

Lowering effect of firefly squid powder on triacylglycerol content and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in rat liver.

PubMed

Takeuchi, Hiroyuki; Morita, Ritsuko; Shirai, Yoko; Nakagawa, Yoshihisa; Terashima, Teruya; Ushikubo, Shun; Matsuo, Tatsuhiro

2014-01-01

Effects of dietary firefly squid on serum and liver lipid levels were investigated. Male Wistar rats were fed a diet containing 5% freeze-dried firefly squid or Japanese flying squid for 2 weeks. There was no significant difference in the liver triacylglycerol level between the control and Japanese flying squid groups, but the rats fed the firefly squid diet had a significantly lower liver triacylglycerol content than those fed the control diet. No significant difference was observed in serum triacylglycerol levels between the control and firefly squid groups. The rats fed the firefly squid had a significantly lower activity of liver glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase compared to the rats fed the control diet. There was no significant difference in liver fatty acid synthetase activity among the three groups. Hepatic gene expression and lipogenic enzyme activity were investigated; a DNA microarray showed that the significantly enriched gene ontology category of down-regulated genes in the firefly squid group was "lipid metabolic process". The firefly squid group had lower mRNA level of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase compared to the controls. These results suggest that an intake of firefly squid decreases hepatic triacylglycerol in rats, and the reduction of mRNA level and enzyme activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase might be related to the mechanisms.

Analysing magnetism using scanning SQUID microscopy.

PubMed

Reith, P; Renshaw Wang, X; Hilgenkamp, H

2017-12-01

Scanning superconducting quantum interference device microscopy (SSM) is a scanning probe technique that images local magnetic flux, which allows for mapping of magnetic fields with high field and spatial accuracy. Many studies involving SSM have been published in the last few decades, using SSM to make qualitative statements about magnetism. However, quantitative analysis using SSM has received less attention. In this work, we discuss several aspects of interpreting SSM images and methods to improve quantitative analysis. First, we analyse the spatial resolution and how it depends on several factors. Second, we discuss the analysis of SSM scans and the information obtained from the SSM data. Using simulations, we show how signals evolve as a function of changing scan height, SQUID loop size, magnetization strength, and orientation. We also investigated 2-dimensional autocorrelation analysis to extract information about the size, shape, and symmetry of magnetic features. Finally, we provide an outlook on possible future applications and improvements.

Analysing magnetism using scanning SQUID microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reith, P.; Renshaw Wang, X.; Hilgenkamp, H.

2017-12-01

Scanning superconducting quantum interference device microscopy (SSM) is a scanning probe technique that images local magnetic flux, which allows for mapping of magnetic fields with high field and spatial accuracy. Many studies involving SSM have been published in the last few decades, using SSM to make qualitative statements about magnetism. However, quantitative analysis using SSM has received less attention. In this work, we discuss several aspects of interpreting SSM images and methods to improve quantitative analysis. First, we analyse the spatial resolution and how it depends on several factors. Second, we discuss the analysis of SSM scans and the information obtained from the SSM data. Using simulations, we show how signals evolve as a function of changing scan height, SQUID loop size, magnetization strength, and orientation. We also investigated 2-dimensional autocorrelation analysis to extract information about the size, shape, and symmetry of magnetic features. Finally, we provide an outlook on possible future applications and improvements.

Development of a vector-tensor system to measure the absolute magnetic flux density and its gradient in magnetically shielded rooms.

PubMed

Voigt, J; Knappe-Grüneberg, S; Gutkelch, D; Haueisen, J; Neuber, S; Schnabel, A; Burghoff, M

2015-05-01

Several experiments in fundamental physics demand an environment of very low, homogeneous, and stable magnetic fields. For the magnetic characterization of such environments, we present a portable SQUID system that measures the absolute magnetic flux density vector and the gradient tensor. This vector-tensor system contains 13 integrated low-critical temperature (LTc) superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) inside a small cylindrical liquid helium Dewar with a height of 31 cm and 37 cm in diameter. The achievable resolution depends on the flux density of the field under investigation and its temporal drift. Inside a seven-layer mu-metal shield, an accuracy better than ±23 pT for the components of the static magnetic field vector and ±2 pT/cm for each of the nine components of the gradient tensor is reached by using the shifting method.

Development of a vector-tensor system to measure the absolute magnetic flux density and its gradient in magnetically shielded rooms

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Voigt, J.; Knappe-Grüneberg, S.; Gutkelch, D.

2015-05-15

Several experiments in fundamental physics demand an environment of very low, homogeneous, and stable magnetic fields. For the magnetic characterization of such environments, we present a portable SQUID system that measures the absolute magnetic flux density vector and the gradient tensor. This vector-tensor system contains 13 integrated low-critical temperature (LTc) superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) inside a small cylindrical liquid helium Dewar with a height of 31 cm and 37 cm in diameter. The achievable resolution depends on the flux density of the field under investigation and its temporal drift. Inside a seven-layer mu-metal shield, an accuracy better than ±23more » pT for the components of the static magnetic field vector and ±2 pT/cm for each of the nine components of the gradient tensor is reached by using the shifting method.« less

XANES study of Fe-implanted strontium titanate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lobacheva, O.; Goncharova, L. V.; Chavarha, M.; Sham, T. K.

2014-03-01

Properties of strontium titanate SrTiO3 (STO) depend to a great extent on the substitutional dopants and defects of crystal structure. The ion beam implantation method was used for doping STO (001) crystals with Fe at different doses. Implanted samples were then annealed at 350°C in oxygen to induce recrystallization and remove oxygen vacancies produced during ion implantation process. The effect of Fe doping and post-implantation annealing was studied by X-ray Absorption Near Edge Spectroscopy (XANES) method and Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID). XANES allowed to monitor the change in structure of STO crystals and in the local environment of Fe following the implantation and annealing steps. SQUID measurements revealed correlation between magnetic moment and Fe implantation dose. Ferromagnetic hysteresis was observed on selected Fe-implanted STO at 5 K. The observed magnetic properties can be correlated with the several Fe oxide phases in addition to the presence of O/Ti vacancies.

Magnetic resonance force microscopy of paramagnetic electron spins at millikelvin temperatures.

PubMed

Vinante, A; Wijts, G; Usenko, O; Schinkelshoek, L; Oosterkamp, T H

2011-12-06

Magnetic resonance force microscopy (MRFM) is a powerful technique to detect a small number of spins that relies on force detection by an ultrasoft magnetically tipped cantilever and selective magnetic resonance manipulation of the spins. MRFM would greatly benefit from ultralow temperature operation, because of lower thermomechanical noise and increased thermal spin polarization. Here we demonstrate MRFM operation at temperatures as low as 30 mK, thanks to a recently developed superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID)-based cantilever detection technique, which avoids cantilever overheating. In our experiment, we detect dangling bond paramagnetic centres on a silicon surface down to millikelvin temperatures. Fluctuations of such defects are supposedly linked to 1/f magnetic noise and decoherence in SQUIDs, as well as in several superconducting and single spin qubits. We find evidence that spin diffusion has a key role in the low-temperature spin dynamics.

Quantum state transfer and controlled-phase gate on one-dimensional superconducting resonators assisted by a quantum bus.

PubMed

Hua, Ming; Tao, Ming-Jie; Deng, Fu-Guo

2016-02-24

We propose a quantum processor for the scalable quantum computation on microwave photons in distant one-dimensional superconducting resonators. It is composed of a common resonator R acting as a quantum bus and some distant resonators rj coupled to the bus in different positions assisted by superconducting quantum interferometer devices (SQUID), different from previous processors. R is coupled to one transmon qutrit, and the coupling strengths between rj and R can be fully tuned by the external flux through the SQUID. To show the processor can be used to achieve universal quantum computation effectively, we present a scheme to complete the high-fidelity quantum state transfer between two distant microwave-photon resonators and another one for the high-fidelity controlled-phase gate on them. By using the technique for catching and releasing the microwave photons from resonators, our processor may play an important role in quantum communication as well.

Local tuning of the order parameter in superconducting weak links: A zero-inductance nanodevice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Winik, Roni; Holzman, Itamar; Dalla Torre, Emanuele G.; Buks, Eyal; Ivry, Yachin

2018-03-01

Controlling both the amplitude and the phase of the superconducting quantum order parameter (" separators="|ψ ) in nanostructures is important for next-generation information and communication technologies. The lack of electric resistance in superconductors, which may be advantageous for some technologies, hinders convenient voltage-bias tuning and hence limits the tunability of ψ at the microscopic scale. Here, we demonstrate the local tunability of the phase and amplitude of ψ, obtained by patterning with a single lithography step a Nb nano-superconducting quantum interference device (nano-SQUID) that is biased at its nanobridges. We accompany our experimental results by a semi-classical linearized model that is valid for generic nano-SQUIDs with multiple ports and helps simplify the modelling of non-linear couplings among the Josephson junctions. Our design helped us reveal unusual electric characteristics with effective zero inductance, which is promising for nanoscale magnetic sensing and quantum technologies.

SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) arrays for simultaneous magnetic measurements: Calibration and source localization performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaufman, Lloyd; Williamson, Samuel J.; Costaribeiro, P.

1988-02-01

Recently developed small arrays of SQUID-based magnetic sensors can, if appropriately placed, locate the position of a confined biomagnetic source without moving the array. The authors present a technique with a relative accuracy of about 2 percent for calibrating such sensors having detection coils with the geometry of a second-order gradiometer. The effects of calibration error and magnetic noise on the accuracy of locating an equivalent current dipole source in the human brain are investigated for 5- and 7-sensor probes and for a pair of 7-sensor probes. With a noise level of 5 percent of peak signal, uncertainties of about 20 percent in source strength and depth for a 5-sensor probe are reduced to 8 percent for a pair of 7-sensor probes, and uncertainties of about 15 mm in lateral position are reduced to 1 mm, for the configuration considered.

Low-frequency nondestructive analysis of cracks in multilayer structures using a scanning magnetic microscope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adamo, M.; Nappi, C.; Sarnelli, E.

2010-09-01

The use of a scanning magnetic microscope (SMM) with a high temperature superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) for quantitative measurements in eddy current nondestructive analysis (NDA) is presented. The SQUID has been used to detect the weak magnetic field variations around a small defect, close to a structural part generating an intensive magnetic field. The experimental data for a deep crack close to a rivet in a multilayer conducting plate have been taken in a RF-shielded environment and discussed in the light of the theoretical predictions. The results show that eddy current NDA can distinguish subsurface crack signals from wider structural signals, with defects located 10 mm below the surface. Moreover, in order to visualize the structure of the probing current when a circular induction coil is used, the simulation of eddy currents in a thick unflawed conducting plate has been carried out.

Properties of Josephson Junction Fabricated on Bicrystal Substrate with Different Misorientation Angles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Minotani, Tadashi; Kawakami, Satoru; Kuroki, Yukinori; Enpuku, Keiji

1998-06-01

In order to develop YBa2Cu3O7-δ bicrystal junctions suitable for high-performance superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), the relationship between the junction properties and the misorientation angle of the bicrystal substrate is studied experimentally. Misorientation angles of 24°, 27°, 30°, 33° and 36.8° are used, and the angular dependencies of junction resistance Rs and critical current Io are investigated. It is shown that values of Rs and Io approximately follow the relation IoRs1.5=const. in these junctions. The obtained results are analyzed in terms of the direct and resonant tunneling mechanisms. It is also shown that values of Rs≈10 Ω and Io≈20 µA can be obtained rather reproducibly when we use the 30° junctions. The properties of this junction are very promising for the development of high-performance SQUID.

Iron overload in patients receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: quantification of iron burden by a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) and therapeutic effectiveness of phlebotomy.

PubMed

Busca, Alessandro; Falda, Michele; Manzini, Paola; D'Antico, Sergio; Valfrè, Adriano; Locatelli, Franco; Calabrese, Roberto; Chiappella, Annalisa; D'Ardia, Stefano; Longo, Filomena; Piga, Antonio

2010-01-01

Iron overload (IO) is a known adverse prognostic factor in patients who undergo allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for thalassemia and appears to play a similar role in patients with other hematologic disorders. The estimation of IO is based primarily on serum ferritin level; however, many confounding factors can result in ferritin overestimation, especially in HSCT recipients. The aim of the present study was to quantify IO after HSCT using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), and to evaluate the impact of IO on hepatic function and infections. In addition, the feasibility of iron depletion was investigated. A total of 102 consecutive allogeneic HSCT recipients admitted to our outpatient department between December 2005, and December 2007, were analyzed. Primary diagnosis included acute leukemia/myelodysplastic syndrome in 61% of cases. Assessment of IO after HSCT included serum ferritin; in those with hyperferritinemia (ferritin>1000 ng/mL), liver iron concentration (LIC) was evaluated by SQUID magnetic susceptometry. Iron removal therapy was offered to patients with moderate IO (LIC 1000-2000 microg Fe/g wet weight [ww]) or severe IO (LIC >2,000 microg Fe/g ww). Fifty-seven patients had a ferritin level <1000 ng/mL: the median time between HSCT and assessment of ferritin level was 1006 days (range, 93-5239 days), significantly different from the median time of 183 days (range, 78-2957 days) in the 45 patients with a ferritin level >1000 ng/mL. Out of 42 patients evaluated by SQUID, 29 had moderate to severe IO (median LIC value, 1493 microg Fe/g ww [range, 1030-3253]). In a multivariate analysis, a significant correlation was found between a ferritin level >1000 ng/mL and the presence of at least one abnormal liver function test (LFT) ORo=6.8; 95% CI=2.2-20.6). In addition, the rate of proven/probable invasive fungal disease was significantly higher in the patients with hyperferritinemia (13% vs 0%; P=.006). Nineteen of the 24 patients considered eligible for iron-depletion therapy underwent regular phlebotomy; 13 completed the program in a median of 287 days (range, 92-779 days), reaching the target of a ferritin level<500 ng/mL; LIC was significantly reduced (median, 1419 microg Fe/g ww to 625 microg Fe/g ww; P < .001) in 8 of the 9 patients who were revaluated by SQUID at the end of the iron-depletion program. In conclusion, the measurement of LIC obtained by SQUID documented the presence of moderate/severe IO in 69% of the patients with a high ferritin level. Our data showed that in HSCT recipients, high ferritin level is an independent risk factor for abnormal LFTs, and IO may be considered a potential risk factor for fungal infections. A phlebotomy program may be feasible in two-thirds of the patients who might benefit from iron depletion. Copyright (c) 2010 American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated system for the calibration of magnetometers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Petrucha, Vojtech; Kaspar, Petr; Ripka, Pavel

2009-04-01

A completely nonmagnetic calibration platform has been developed and constructed at DTU Space (Technical University of Denmark). It is intended for on-site scalar calibration of high-precise fluxgate magnetometers. An enhanced version of the same platform is being built at the Czech Technical University. There are three axes of rotation in this design (compared to two axes in the previous version). The addition of the third axis allows us to calibrate more complex devices. An electronic compass based on a vector fluxgate magnetometer and micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) accelerometer is one example. The new platform can also be used tomore » evaluate the parameters of the compass in all possible variations in azimuth, pitch, and roll. The system is based on piezoelectric motors, which are placed on a platform made of aluminum, brass, plastic, and glass. Position sensing is accomplished through custom-made optical incremental sensors. The system is controlled by a microcontroller, which executes commands from a computer. The properties of the system as well as calibration and measurement results will be presented.« less

High-resolution photon spectroscopy with a microwave-multiplexed 4-pixel transition edge sensor array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guss, Paul; Rabin, Michael; Croce, Mark; Hoteling, Nathan; Schwellenbach, David; Kruschwitz, Craig; Mocko, Veronika; Mukhopadhyay, Sanjoy

2017-09-01

We demonstrate very high-resolution photon spectroscopy with a microwave-multiplexed 4-pixel transition edge sensor (TES) array. The readout circuit consists of superconducting microwave resonators coupled to radio frequency superconducting-quantum-interference devices (RF-SQUIDs) and transduces changes in input current to changes in phase of a microwave signal. We used a flux-ramp modulation to linearize the response and avoid low-frequency noise. The result is a very high-resolution photon spectroscopy with a microwave-multiplexed 4-pixel transition edge sensor array. We performed and validated a small-scale demonstration and test of all the components of our concept system, which encompassed microcalorimetry, microwave multiplexing, RF-SQUIDs, and software-defined radio (SDR). We shall display data we acquired in the first simultaneous combination of all key innovations in a 4-pixel demonstration, including microcalorimetry, microwave multiplexing, RF-SQUIDs, and SDR. We present the energy spectrum of a gadolinium-153 (153Gd) source we measured using our 4-pixel TES array and the RF-SQUID multiplexer. For each pixel, one can observe the two 97.4 and 103.2 keV photopeaks. We measured the 153Gd photon source with an achieved energy resolution of 70 eV, full width half maximum (FWHM) at 100 keV, and an equivalent readout system noise of 90 pA/pHz at the TES. This demonstration establishes a path for the readout of cryogenic x-ray and gamma ray sensor arrays with more elements and spectral resolving powers. We believe this project has improved capabilities and substantively advanced the science useful for missions such as nuclear forensics, emergency response, and treaty verification through the explored TES developments.

Controlled and in situ target strengths of the jumbo squid Dosidicus gigas and identification of potential acoustic scattering sources.

PubMed

Benoit-Bird, Kelly J; Gilly, William F; Au, Whitlow W L; Mate, Bruce

2008-03-01

This study presents the first target strength measurements of Dosidicus gigas, a large squid that is a key predator, a significant prey, and the target of an important fishery. Target strength of live, tethered squid was related to mantle length with values standardized to the length squared of -62.0, -67.4, -67.9, and -67.6 dB at 38, 70, 120, and 200 kHz, respectively. There were relatively small differences in target strength between dorsal and anterior aspects and none between live and freshly dead squid. Potential scattering mechanisms in squid have been long debated. Here, the reproductive organs had little effect on squid target strength. These data support the hypothesis that the pen may be an important source of squid acoustic scattering. The beak, eyes, and arms, probably via the sucker rings, also play a role in acoustic scattering though their effects were small and frequency specific. An unexpected source of scattering was the cranium of the squid which provided a target strength nearly as high as that of the entire squid though the mechanism remains unclear. Our in situ measurements of the target strength of free-swimming squid support the use of the values presented here in D. gigas assessment studies.

Effects of thermal processing and various chemical substances on formaldehyde and dimethylamine formation in squid Dosidicus gigas.

PubMed

Zhu, Junli; Li, Jianrong; Jia, Jia

2012-09-01

Trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) in squid is demethylated to dimethylamine (DMA) and formaldehyde (FA) during storage and processing. This study examined the effects of thermal processing and various chemical substances on FA and DMA formation in squid. The thermal conversion of TMAO was assessed by analysing four squid and four gadoid fish species, which revealed that FA, DMA and trimethylamine (TMA) were gradually produced in squid, whereas TMA increased and FA decreased in gadoid fish. A significant increase in both FA and DMA levels was observed in the supernatant of jumbo squid with increased heating temperature and extended heating time at pH 6-7. Ferrous chloride combined with cysteine and/or ascorbate had a significantly positive effect on FA formation in the heated supernatant of jumbo squid. No significant difference was observed in the levels of Cu and Fe in squid and gadoid fish. The capability of Fe(2+) to promote the formation of FA and DMA was not completely attributable to its reducing power in squid. Non-enzymatic decomposition of TMAO was a key pathway during the thermal processing of jumbo squid, and Fe(2+) was a crucial activator in the formation of FA and DMA. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry.

Identification of Mobile Phones Using the Built-In Magnetometers Stimulated by Motion Patterns.

PubMed

Baldini, Gianmarco; Dimc, Franc; Kamnik, Roman; Steri, Gary; Giuliani, Raimondo; Gentile, Claudio

2017-04-06

We investigate the identification of mobile phones through their built-in magnetometers. These electronic components have started to be widely deployed in mass market phones in recent years, and they can be exploited to uniquely identify mobile phones due their physical differences, which appear in the digital output generated by them. This is similar to approaches reported in the literature for other components of the mobile phone, including the digital camera, the microphones or their RF transmission components. In this paper, the identification is performed through an inexpensive device made up of a platform that rotates the mobile phone under test and a fixed magnet positioned on the edge of the rotating platform. When the mobile phone passes in front of the fixed magnet, the built-in magnetometer is stimulated, and its digital output is recorded and analyzed. For each mobile phone, the experiment is repeated over six different days to ensure consistency in the results. A total of 10 phones of different brands and models or of the same model were used in our experiment. The digital output from the magnetometers is synchronized and correlated, and statistical features are extracted to generate a fingerprint of the built-in magnetometer and, consequently, of the mobile phone. A SVM machine learning algorithm is used to classify the mobile phones on the basis of the extracted statistical features. Our results show that inter-model classification (i.e., different models and brands classification) is possible with great accuracy, but intra-model (i.e., phones with different serial numbers and same model) classification is more challenging, the resulting accuracy being just slightly above random choice.

Identification of Mobile Phones Using the Built-In Magnetometers Stimulated by Motion Patterns

PubMed Central

Baldini, Gianmarco; Dimc, Franc; Kamnik, Roman; Steri, Gary; Giuliani, Raimondo; Gentile, Claudio

2017-01-01

We investigate the identification of mobile phones through their built-in magnetometers. These electronic components have started to be widely deployed in mass market phones in recent years, and they can be exploited to uniquely identify mobile phones due their physical differences, which appear in the digital output generated by them. This is similar to approaches reported in the literature for other components of the mobile phone, including the digital camera, the microphones or their RF transmission components. In this paper, the identification is performed through an inexpensive device made up of a platform that rotates the mobile phone under test and a fixed magnet positioned on the edge of the rotating platform. When the mobile phone passes in front of the fixed magnet, the built-in magnetometer is stimulated, and its digital output is recorded and analyzed. For each mobile phone, the experiment is repeated over six different days to ensure consistency in the results. A total of 10 phones of different brands and models or of the same model were used in our experiment. The digital output from the magnetometers is synchronized and correlated, and statistical features are extracted to generate a fingerprint of the built-in magnetometer and, consequently, of the mobile phone. A SVM machine learning algorithm is used to classify the mobile phones on the basis of the extracted statistical features. Our results show that inter-model classification (i.e., different models and brands classification) is possible with great accuracy, but intra-model (i.e., phones with different serial numbers and same model) classification is more challenging, the resulting accuracy being just slightly above random choice. PMID:28383482

Scanning SQUID Microscope and its Application in Detecting Weak Currents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhong, Chaorong; Li, Fei; Zhang, Fenghui; Ding, Hongsheng; Luo, Sheng; Lin, Dehua; He, Yusheng

A scanning SQUID microscope based on HTS dc SQUID has been developed. One of the applications of this microscope is to detect weak currents inside the sample. Considering that what being detected by the SQUID is the vertical component of the magnetic field on a plan where the SQUID lies, whereas the current which produces the magnetic field is actually located in a plan below the SQUID, a TWO PLAN model has been established. In this model Biot-Savart force laws and Fourier transformation were used to inverse the detected magnetic field into the underneath weak current. It has been shown that the distance between the current and the SQUID and the noise ratio of the experimental data have significant effects on the quality of the inverse process.

Identifying Pelagic Habitat Hotspots of Neon Flying Squid in the Temperate Waters of the Central North Pacific.

PubMed

Alabia, Irene D; Saitoh, Sei-Ichi; Mugo, Robinson; Igarashi, Hiromichi; Ishikawa, Yoichi; Usui, Norihisa; Kamachi, Masafumi; Awaji, Toshiyuki; Seito, Masaki

2015-01-01

We identified the pelagic habitat hotspots of the neon flying squid (Ommastrephes bartramii) in the central North Pacific from May to July and characterized the spatial patterns of squid aggregations in relation to oceanographic features such as mesoscale oceanic eddies and the Transition Zone Chlorophyll-a Front (TZCF). The data used for the habitat model construction and analyses were squid fishery information, remotely-sensed and numerical model-derived environmental data from May to July 1999-2010. Squid habitat hotspots were deduced from the monthly Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) models and were identified as regions of persistent high suitable habitat across the 12-year period. The distribution of predicted squid habitat hotspots in central North Pacific revealed interesting spatial and temporal patterns likely linked with the presence and dynamics of oceanographic features in squid's putative foraging grounds from late spring to summer. From May to June, the inferred patches of squid habitat hotspots developed within the Kuroshio-Oyashio transition zone (KOTZ; 37-40°N) and further expanded north towards the subarctic frontal zone (SAFZ; 40-44°N) in July. The squid habitat hotspots within the KOTZ and areas west of the dateline (160°W-180°) were likely influenced and associated with the highly dynamic and transient oceanic eddies and could possibly account for lower squid suitable habitat persistence obtained from these regions. However, predicted squid habitat hotspots located in regions east of the dateline (180°-160°W) from June to July, showed predominantly higher squid habitat persistence presumably due to their proximity to the mean position of the seasonally-shifting TZCF and consequent utilization of the highly productive waters of the SAFZ.

Effectiveness of large booms as nutation dampers for spin stabilized spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eke, F. O.

1991-01-01

The issue of using long slender booms as pendulous nutation damping devices on spinning aircraft is discussed. Motivation comes from experience with the Galileo Spacecraft, whose magnetometer boom also serves as a passive nutation damper for the spacecraft. Performance analysis of a spacecraft system equipped with such systems are relatively insensitive to changes in the damping constant of the device. However, the size and arrangement of such a damper raises important questions concerning spacecraft stability in general.

Ultra-sensitive Magnetic Microscopy with an Optically Pumped Magnetometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Young Jin; Savukov, Igor

2016-04-01

Optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) based on lasers and alkali-metal vapor cells are currently the most sensitive non-cryogenic magnetic field sensors. Many applications in neuroscience and other fields require high-resolution, high-sensitivity magnetic microscopic measurements. In order to meet this demand we combined a cm-size spin-exchange relaxation-free (SERF) OPM and flux guides (FGs) to realize an ultra-sensitive FG-OPM magnetic microscope. The FGs serve to transmit the target magnetic flux to the OPM thus improving both the resolution and sensitivity to small magnetic objects. We investigated the performance of the FG-OPM device using experimental and numerical methods, and demonstrated that an optimized device can achieve a unique combination of high resolution (80 μm) and high sensitivity (8.1 pT/). In addition, we also performed numerical calculations of the magnetic field distribution in the FGs to estimate the magnetic noise originating from the domain fluctuations in the material of the FGs. We anticipate many applications of the FG-OPM device such as the detection of micro-biological magnetic fields; the detection of magnetic nano-particles; and non-destructive testing. From our theoretical estimate, an FG-OPM could detect the magnetic field of a single neuron, which would be an important milestone in neuroscience.

Atomic magnetometer-based ultra-sensitive magnetic microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Young Jin; Savukov, Igor

2016-03-01

An atomic magnetometer (AM) based on lasers and alkali-metal vapor cells is currently the most sensitive non-cryogenic magnetic-field sensor. Many applications in neuroscience and other fields require high resolution, high sensitivity magnetic microscopic measurements. In order to meet this need we combined a cm-size spin-exchange relaxation-free AM with a flux guide (FG) to produce an ultra-sensitive FG-AM magnetic microscope. The FG serves to transmit the target magnetic flux to the AM thus enhancing both the sensitivity and resolution for tiny magnetic objects. In this talk, we will describe a prototype FG-AM device and present experimental and numerical tests of its sensitivity and resolution. We also demonstrate that an optimized FG-AM achieves high resolution and high sensitivity sufficient to detect a magnetic field of a single neuron in a few seconds, which would be an important milestone in neuroscience. We anticipate that this unique device can be applied to the detection of a single neuron, the detection of magnetic nano-particles, which in turn are very important for detection of target molecules in national security and medical diagnostics, and non-destructive testing.

Allometry indicates giant eyes of giant squid are not exceptional.

PubMed

Schmitz, Lars; Motani, Ryosuke; Oufiero, Christopher E; Martin, Christopher H; McGee, Matthew D; Gamarra, Ashlee R; Lee, Johanna J; Wainwright, Peter C

2013-02-18

The eyes of giant and colossal squid are among the largest eyes in the history of life. It was recently proposed that sperm whale predation is the main driver of eye size evolution in giant squid, on the basis of an optical model that suggested optimal performance in detecting large luminous visual targets such as whales in the deep sea. However, it is poorly understood how the eye size of giant and colossal squid compares to that of other aquatic organisms when scaling effects are considered. We performed a large-scale comparative study that included 87 squid species and 237 species of acanthomorph fish. While squid have larger eyes than most acanthomorphs, a comparison of relative eye size among squid suggests that giant and colossal squid do not have unusually large eyes. After revising constants used in a previous model we found that large eyes perform equally well in detecting point targets and large luminous targets in the deep sea. The eyes of giant and colossal squid do not appear exceptionally large when allometric effects are considered. It is probable that the giant eyes of giant squid result from a phylogenetically conserved developmental pattern manifested in very large animals. Whatever the cause of large eyes, they appear to have several advantages for vision in the reduced light of the deep mesopelagic zone.

Germanium Resistance Thermometer For Subkelvin Temperatures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Castles, Stephen H.

1993-01-01

Improved germanium resistance thermometer measures temperatures as small as 0.01 K accurately. Design provides large area for electrical connections (to reduce electrical gradients and increase sensitivity to changes in temperatures) and large heat sink (to minimize resistance heating). Gold pads on top and bottom of germanium crystal distribute electrical current and flow of heat nearly uniformly across crystal. Less expensive than magnetic thermometers or superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUID's) otherwise used.

New technologies for the detection of millimeter and submillimeter waves

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Richards, P. L.; Clarke, J.; Gildemeister, J. M.; Lanting, T.; Lee, A. T.

2001-01-01

Voltage-biased superconducting bolometers have many operational advantages over conventional bolometer technology including sensitivity, linearity, speed, and immunity from environmental disturbance. A review is given of the Berkeley program for developing this new technology. Developments include fully lithographed individual bolometers in the spiderweb configuration, arrays of 1024 close-packed absorber-coupled bolometers, antenna-coupled bolometers, and a frequency-domain SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) readout multiplexer.

Non-perturbative measurement of low-intensity charged particle beams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fernandes, M.; Geithner, R.; Golm, J.; Neubert, R.; Schwickert, M.; Stöhlker, T.; Tan, J.; Welsch, C. P.

2017-01-01

Non-perturbative measurements of low-intensity charged particle beams are particularly challenging to beam diagnostics due to the low amplitude of the induced electromagnetic fields. In the low-energy antiproton decelerator (AD) and the future extra low energy antiproton rings at CERN, an absolute measurement of the beam intensity is essential to monitor the operation efficiency. Superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) based cryogenic current comparators (CCC) have been used for measuring slow charged beams in the nA range, showing a very good current resolution. But these were unable to measure fast bunched beams, due to the slew-rate limitation of SQUID devices and presented a strong susceptibility to external perturbations. Here, we present a CCC system developed for the AD machine, which was optimised in terms of its current resolution, system stability, ability to cope with short bunched beams, and immunity to mechanical vibrations. This paper presents the monitor design and the first results from measurements with a low energy antiproton beam obtained in the AD in 2015. These are the first CCC beam current measurements ever performed in a synchrotron machine with both coasting and short bunched beams. It is shown that the system is able to stably measure the AD beam throughout the entire cycle, with a current resolution of 30 {nA}.

Open quantum systems, effective Hamiltonians, and device characterization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duffus, S. N. A.; Dwyer, V. M.; Everitt, M. J.

2017-10-01

High fidelity models, which are able to both support accurate device characterization and correctly account for environmental effects, are crucial to the engineering of scalable quantum technologies. As it ensures positivity of the density matrix, one preferred model of open systems describes the dynamics with a master equation in Lindblad form. In practice, Linblad operators are rarely derived from first principles, and often a particular form of annihilator is assumed. This results in dynamical models that miss those additional terms which must generally be added for the master equation to assume the Lindblad form, together with the other concomitant terms that must be assimilated into an effective Hamiltonian to produce the correct free evolution. In first principles derivations, such additional terms are often canceled (or countered), frequently in a somewhat ad hoc manner, leading to a number of competing models. Whilst the implications of this paper are quite general, to illustrate the point we focus here on an example anharmonic system; specifically that of a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) coupled to an Ohmic bath. The resulting master equation implies that the environment has a significant impact on the system's energy; we discuss the prospect of keeping or canceling this impact and note that, for the SQUID, monitoring the magnetic susceptibility under control of the capacitive coupling strength and the externally applied flux results in experimentally measurable differences between a number of these models. In particular, one should be able to determine whether a squeezing term of the form X ̂P ̂+P ̂X ̂ should be present in the effective Hamiltonian or not. If model generation is not performed correctly, device characterization will be prone to systemic errors.

Trophic niche of squids: Insights from isotopic data in marine systems worldwide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Navarro, Joan; Coll, Marta; Somes, Christoper J.; Olson, Robert J.

2013-10-01

Cephalopods are an important prey resource for fishes, seabirds, and marine mammals, and are also voracious predators on crustaceans, fishes, squid and zooplankton. Because of their high feeding rates and abundance, squids have the potential to exert control on the recruitment of commercially important fishes. In this review, we synthesize the available information for two intrinsic markers (δ15N and δ13C isotopic values) in squids for all oceans and several types of ecosystems to obtain a global view of the trophic niches of squids in marine ecosystems. In particular, we aimed to examine whether the trophic positions and trophic widths of squid species vary among oceans and ecosystem types. To correctly compare across systems, we adjusted squid δ15N values for the isotopic variability of phytoplankton at the base of the food web provided by an ocean circulation-biogeochemistry-isotope model. Studies that focused on the trophic ecology of squids using isotopic techniques were few, and most of the information on squids was from studies on their predators. Our results showed that squids occupy a large range of trophic positions and exploit a large range of trophic resources, reflecting the versatility of their feeding behavior and confirming conclusions from food-web models. Clear differences in both trophic position and trophic width were found among oceans and ecosystem types. The study also reinforces the importance of considering the natural variation in isotopic values when comparing the isotopic values of consumers inhabiting different ecosystems.

Identifying Pelagic Habitat Hotspots of Neon Flying Squid in the Temperate Waters of the Central North Pacific

PubMed Central

Alabia, Irene D.; Saitoh, Sei-Ichi; Mugo, Robinson; Igarashi, Hiromichi; Ishikawa, Yoichi; Usui, Norihisa; Kamachi, Masafumi; Awaji, Toshiyuki; Seito, Masaki

2015-01-01

We identified the pelagic habitat hotspots of the neon flying squid (Ommastrephes bartramii) in the central North Pacific from May to July and characterized the spatial patterns of squid aggregations in relation to oceanographic features such as mesoscale oceanic eddies and the Transition Zone Chlorophyll-a Front (TZCF). The data used for the habitat model construction and analyses were squid fishery information, remotely-sensed and numerical model-derived environmental data from May to July 1999–2010. Squid habitat hotspots were deduced from the monthly Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) models and were identified as regions of persistent high suitable habitat across the 12-year period. The distribution of predicted squid habitat hotspots in central North Pacific revealed interesting spatial and temporal patterns likely linked with the presence and dynamics of oceanographic features in squid’s putative foraging grounds from late spring to summer. From May to June, the inferred patches of squid habitat hotspots developed within the Kuroshio-Oyashio transition zone (KOTZ; 37–40°N) and further expanded north towards the subarctic frontal zone (SAFZ; 40–44°N) in July. The squid habitat hotspots within the KOTZ and areas west of the dateline (160°W-180°) were likely influenced and associated with the highly dynamic and transient oceanic eddies and could possibly account for lower squid suitable habitat persistence obtained from these regions. However, predicted squid habitat hotspots located in regions east of the dateline (180°-160°W) from June to July, showed predominantly higher squid habitat persistence presumably due to their proximity to the mean position of the seasonally-shifting TZCF and consequent utilization of the highly productive waters of the SAFZ. PMID:26571118

Mismatch between the eye and the optic lobe in the giant squid.

PubMed

Liu, Yung-Chieh; Liu, Tsung-Han; Yu, Chun-Chieh; Su, Chia-Hao; Chiao, Chuan-Chin

2017-07-01

Giant squids ( Architeuthis ) are a legendary species among the cephalopods. They live in the deep sea and are well known for their enormous body and giant eyes. It has been suggested that their giant eyes are not adapted for the detection of either mates or prey at distance, but rather are best suited for monitoring very large predators, such as sperm whales, at distances exceeding 120 m and at a depth below 600 m (Nilsson et al. 2012 Curr. Biol. 22 , 683-688. (doi:10.1016/j.cub.2012.02.031)). However, it is not clear how the brain of giant squids processes visual information. In this study, the optic lobe of a giant squid ( Architeuthis dux , male, mantle length 89 cm), which was caught by local fishermen off the northeastern coast of Taiwan, was scanned using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging in order to examine its internal structure. It was evident that the volume ratio of the optic lobe to the eye in the giant squid is much smaller than that in the oval squid ( Sepioteuthis lessoniana ) and the cuttlefish ( Sepia pharaonis ). Furthermore, the cell density in the cortex of the optic lobe is significantly higher in the giant squid than in oval squids and cuttlefish, with the relative thickness of the cortex being much larger in Architeuthis optic lobe than in cuttlefish. This indicates that the relative size of the medulla of the optic lobe in the giant squid is disproportionally smaller compared with these two cephalopod species. This morphological study of the giant squid brain, though limited only to the optic lobe, provides the first evidence to support that the optic lobe cortex, the visual information processing area in cephalopods, is well developed in the giant squid. In comparison, the optic lobe medulla, the visuomotor integration centre in cephalopods, is much less developed in the giant squid than other species. This finding suggests that, despite the giant eye and a full-fledged cortex within the optic lobe, the brain of giant squids has not evolved proportionally in terms of performing complex tasks compared with shallow-water cephalopod species.

MAGNETOMETER

DOEpatents

Leavitt, M.A.

1958-11-18

A magnetometer ls described, partlcularly to a device which accurately indicates the polarity and intensity of a magnetlc field. The main feature of the invention is a unique probe construction in combinatlon wlth a magnetic fleld detector system. The probe comprises two coils connected in series opposition for energization with an a-c voltage. The voltage lnduced in a third coll on the probe, a pick-up coil, is distorted by the presence of an external field to produce even harmonic voltages. A controlled d-c current is passed through the energized coils to counter the dlstortlon and reduce tbe even harmonic content to a null. When the null point is reached, the d-c current is a measure of the external magnetic field strength, and the phase of the pickup coil voltage indicates tbe field polarlty.

Electromagnetic Wave Absorption Property of Graphene with FeO4 Nanoparticles.

PubMed

Yang, Cheng; Dai, Shenglong; Zhang, Xiaoyan; Zhao, Tianyu; Yan, Shaojiu; Zhao, Xiuying

2016-02-01

Nanomaterials consisting of various ratios of Fe3O4 and graphene (defined C-Fe3O4/GR) were pre- pared by an in situ coordination complex hydro-thermal synthesis method. The structure and morphology of the nanomaterials C-Fe3O4/GR obtained were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was found that the Fe3O4 nanoparticles distributed on the surfaces of graphene, and had a spinel structure and a uniform chemical phase when the weight ratios of Fe3O4 to graphene oxide (GO) were 9:1 or 9:2. It was suggested that GO had been successfully reduced to graphene and the Fe3O4 nanoparticles were chemically bonded to graphene. The SQUID vibrating sample magnetometer (SQUID-VSM) indicated that the maximum of the saturation magnetization was 83.6 emmicro g(-1) when the mass ratio of Fe3O4 to GO was 9:2. Electromagnetic wave absorption showed that the chemical compound of Fe3O4 and graphene had a better electromagnetic property than the mechanical blend of Fe3O4 and graphene (M-Fe3O4/GR). The C-Fe3O4/GR had a reflection loss larger than -10 dB in the frequency range 12.9-17.0 GHz for an absorber thickness of 3 mm, and a maximum reflection loss of -12.3 dB at 14.8 GHz and a maximum reflection loss of -31.2 dB at 10.5 GHz for an absorber thickness of 10 mm. Theoretical analysis showed that the electromagnetic wave absorption behavior obeyed the quarter-wave principles. These results showed that the C-Fe3O4/GR nanomaterials can meet the requirements for some engineering applications, showing great application potential in electromagnetic wave absorption.

Natural remanent magnetization and rock magnetic parameters from the North-East Atlantic continental margin : Insights from a new, automated cryogenic magnetometer at the Geological Survey of Norway

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klug, Martin; Fabian, Karl; Knies, Jochen; Sauer, Simone

2017-04-01

Natural remanent magnetization (NRM) and rock magnetic parameters from two locations, West Barents Sea ( 71.6°N,16.2°E) and Vestnesa Ridge, NW Svalbard ( 79.0°N, 6.9°E), were acquired using a new, automatically operating cryogenic magnetometer system at the Geological Survey of Norway. The magnetometer setup comprises an automated robot sample feeding, dynamic operation and measurement monitoring, and customised output-to-database data handling. The setup is designed to dynamically enable a variety of parallel measurements with several coupled devices (e.g. balance, MS2B) to effectively use dead-time in between the otherwise time-consuming measurements with the cryogen magnetometer. Web-based access allows remote quality control and interaction 24/7 and enables high sample throughput. The magnetic properties are combined with geophysical, geochemical measurements and optical imaging, both radiographic and colour images, from high-resolution core-logging. The multidisciplinary approach enables determination and interpretation of content and formation of the magnetic fraction, and its development during diagenetic processes. Besides palaeomagnetic age determination the results offer the opportunity to study sediment transformation processes that have implications for the burial and degradation of organic matter. The results also help to understand long and short-term variability of sediment accumulation. Chemical sediment stability is directly linked to environmental and climate variability in the polar marine environment during the recent past.

Effect of Melanin Free Ink Extracted From Squid (Loligo sp.) on Proximate and Sensory Characteristics of Soft-Bone Milkfish (Chanos chanos) During Storage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Winarni Agustini, Tri; Hadiyanto; Wijayanti, Ima; Amalia, Ulfah; Benjakul, Soottawat

2018-02-01

Antioxidant could be extracted and isolated from squid inks. Squid ink in the form of melanin free ink (MFI) could be act as an electron donor which can stabilize free radicals in lipid oxidation. This study was carried out to assess the antioxidant activity of squid inks converted into MFI in different dilution and to optimize the extraction conditions for the application of MFI as an antioxidative agent on fish product. Three different types of MFI extracts i.e : pure squid ink, squid ink with 5 times dilution and squid ink with 10 times dilutions by using cooled ionized water (4°C). The ink was then centrifuged at 18.000 x g for 30 minutes at cooled centrifuge (4°C) followed by DPPH analysis. The results showed that the IC50 of MFI extracts were 2.84 ppm; 1.11 ppm and 0.34 ppm, respectively (p < 0.05). The results indicated that squid ink with 10 times dilution in extraction of MFI had the highest value in free radical inhibitory. Although the IC50 of three different dilutions are equally low, and are considered as very strong antioxidative agent, however, it showed that the MFI extracted from squid ink had the ability to prevent free radical

P13631-E002PF: Pulsed field magnetostriction of Ba 2CoTeO 6

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tanaka, H.; Kurita, N.; Koike, M.

Ba 2CoTeO 6 is an insulating material consisting of two magnetic subsystems referred as A and B build of S=1/2 spins. Subsystem A is considered to be a Heisenberg-like antiferromagnet (AFM) on a triangular lattice and subsystem B is a J 1-J 2 Ising-like AFM on a honey-comb lattice. The magnetic phase transitions are observed at T N1 = 12 K and T N2=3K for A and B respectively. The application of magnetic fields unveils a rich phase diagram that varies depending on the direction of the applied field for either H ll c or H perp c. To datemore » the phase diagram has been investigated by means of specific heat measurement up to 9T and susceptibility measurements with a SQUID magnetometer up to 7T. Magnetization measured in pulsed magnetic fields up to 60T at 1.3K and 4.2K reveal several steps and plateaux occurring at varying critical fields depending on the crystallographic direction. Common to the magnetization parallel c and perpendicular c is the saturation above 40T.« less

Effect of pressure on the magnetic properties of TM3[Cr(CN)6]2·12H2O

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zentková, M.; Arnold, Z.; Kamarád, J.; Kavecanský, V.; Lukácová, M.; Mat'aš, S.; Mihalik, M.; Mitróová, Z.; Zentko, A.

2007-07-01

We present the results of magnetization and AC susceptibility measurements performed on ferrimagnetic Mn32+[CrIII(CN)6]2·12H2O and ferromagnetic Ni32+[CrIII(CN)6]2·12H2O systems under pressures up to 0.9 GPa in a commercial SQUID magnetometer. The magnetization process is affected by pressure: magnetization saturates at higher magnetic field, saturated magnetization μs of Ni3[Cr(CN)6]2 is reduced and almost unaffected for Mn3[Cr(CN)6]2 at low temperatures. The Curie temperature TC of Mn3[Cr(CN)6]2 increases with the applied pressure, ΔTC/Δp = 25.5 K GPa-1, due to a strengthened super-exchange antiferromagnetic interaction JAF, but it is not affected significantly in the case of Ni3[Cr(CN)6]2 with a dominant ferromagnetic JF super-exchange interaction. The increase in the JAF interaction is attributed to the enhanced value of the single electron overlapping integral S and the energy gap Δ of the mixed molecular orbitals t2g (Mn2+) and t2g (CrIII) induced by pressure.

Proposal for a transmon-based quantum router.

PubMed

Sala, Arnau; Blaauboer, M

2016-07-13

We propose an implementation of a quantum router for microwave photons in a superconducting qubit architecture consisting of a transmon qubit, SQUIDs and a nonlinear capacitor. We model and analyze the dynamics of operation of the quantum switch using quantum Langevin equations in a scattering approach and compute the photon reflection and transmission probabilities. For parameters corresponding to up-to-date experimental devices we predict successful operation of the router with probabilities above 94%.

Magnetic Moment Quantifications of Small Spherical Objects in MRI

PubMed Central

Cheng, Yu-Chung N.; Hsieh, Ching-Yi; Tackett, Ronald; Kokeny, Paul; Regmi, Rajesh Kumar; Lawes, Gavin

2014-01-01

Purpose The purpose of this work is to develop a method for accurately quantifying effective magnetic moments of spherical-like small objects from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A standard 3D gradient echo sequence with only one echo time is intended for our approach to measure the effective magnetic moment of a given object of interest. Methods Our method sums over complex MR signals around the object and equates those sums to equations derived from the magnetostatic theory. With those equations, our method is able to determine the center of the object with subpixel precision. By rewriting those equations, the effective magnetic moment of the object becomes the only unknown to be solved. Each quantified effective magnetic moment has an uncertainty that is derived from the error propagation method. If the volume of the object can be measured from spin echo images, the susceptibility difference between the object and its surrounding can be further quantified from the effective magnetic moment. Numerical simulations, a variety of glass beads in phantom studies with different MR imaging parameters from a 1.5 T machine, and measurements from a SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) based magnetometer have been conducted to test the robustness of our method. Results Quantified effective magnetic moments and susceptibility differences from different imaging parameters and methods all agree with each other within two standard deviations of estimated uncertainties. Conclusion An MRI method is developed to accurately quantify the effective magnetic moment of a given small object of interest. Most results are accurate within 10% of true values and roughly half of the total results are accurate within 5% of true values using very reasonable imaging parameters. Our method is minimally affected by the partial volume, dephasing, and phase aliasing effects. Our next goal is to apply this method to in vivo studies. PMID:25490517

Magnetic moment quantifications of small spherical objects in MRI.

PubMed

Cheng, Yu-Chung N; Hsieh, Ching-Yi; Tackett, Ronald; Kokeny, Paul; Regmi, Rajesh Kumar; Lawes, Gavin

2015-07-01

The purpose of this work is to develop a method for accurately quantifying effective magnetic moments of spherical-like small objects from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A standard 3D gradient echo sequence with only one echo time is intended for our approach to measure the effective magnetic moment of a given object of interest. Our method sums over complex MR signals around the object and equates those sums to equations derived from the magnetostatic theory. With those equations, our method is able to determine the center of the object with subpixel precision. By rewriting those equations, the effective magnetic moment of the object becomes the only unknown to be solved. Each quantified effective magnetic moment has an uncertainty that is derived from the error propagation method. If the volume of the object can be measured from spin echo images, the susceptibility difference between the object and its surrounding can be further quantified from the effective magnetic moment. Numerical simulations, a variety of glass beads in phantom studies with different MR imaging parameters from a 1.5T machine, and measurements from a SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) based magnetometer have been conducted to test the robustness of our method. Quantified effective magnetic moments and susceptibility differences from different imaging parameters and methods all agree with each other within two standard deviations of estimated uncertainties. An MRI method is developed to accurately quantify the effective magnetic moment of a given small object of interest. Most results are accurate within 10% of true values, and roughly half of the total results are accurate within 5% of true values using very reasonable imaging parameters. Our method is minimally affected by the partial volume, dephasing, and phase aliasing effects. Our next goal is to apply this method to in vivo studies. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cryogenic transimpedance amplifier for micromechanical capacitive sensors.

PubMed

Antonio, D; Pastoriza, H; Julián, P; Mandolesi, P

2008-08-01

We developed a cryogenic transimpedance amplifier that works at a broad range of temperatures, from room temperature down to 4 K. The device was realized with a standard complementary metal oxide semiconductor 1.5 mum process. Measurements of current-voltage characteristics, open-loop gain, input referred noise current, and power consumption are presented as a function of temperature. The transimpedance amplifier has been successfully applied to sense the motion of a polysilicon micromechanical oscillator at low temperatures. The whole device is intended to serve as a magnetometer for microscopic superconducting samples.

Initial Results from SQUID Sensor: Analysis and Modeling for the ELF/VLF Atmospheric Noise.

PubMed

Hao, Huan; Wang, Huali; Chen, Liang; Wu, Jun; Qiu, Longqing; Rong, Liangliang

2017-02-14

In this paper, the amplitude probability density (APD) of the wideband extremely low frequency (ELF) and very low frequency (VLF) atmospheric noise is studied. The electromagnetic signals from the atmosphere, referred to herein as atmospheric noise, was recorded by a mobile low-temperature superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) receiver under magnetically unshielded conditions. In order to eliminate the adverse effect brought by the geomagnetic activities and powerline, the measured field data was preprocessed to suppress the baseline wandering and harmonics by symmetric wavelet transform and least square methods firstly. Then statistical analysis was performed for the atmospheric noise on different time and frequency scales. Finally, the wideband ELF/VLF atmospheric noise was analyzed and modeled separately. Experimental results show that, Gaussian model is appropriate to depict preprocessed ELF atmospheric noise by a hole puncher operator. While for VLF atmospheric noise, symmetric α -stable (S α S) distribution is more accurate to fit the heavy-tail of the envelope probability density function (pdf).

High electrochemical capacitor performance of oxygen and nitrogen enriched activated carbon derived from the pyrolysis and activation of squid gladius chitin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raj, C. Justin; Rajesh, Murugesan; Manikandan, Ramu; Yu, Kook Hyun; Anusha, J. R.; Ahn, Jun Hwan; Kim, Dong-Won; Park, Sang Yeup; Kim, Byung Chul

2018-05-01

Activated carbon containing nitrogen functionalities exhibits excellent electrochemical property which is more interesting for several renewable energy storage and catalytic applications. Here, we report the synthesis of microporous oxygen and nitrogen doped activated carbon utilizing chitin from the gladius of squid fish. The activated carbon has large surface area of 1129 m2 g-1 with microporous network and possess ∼4.04% of nitrogen content in the form of pyridinic/pyrrolic-N, graphitic-N and N-oxide groups along with oxygen and carbon species. The microporous oxygen/nitrogen doped activated carbon is utilize for the fabrication of aqueous and flexible supercapacitor electrodes, which presents excellent electrochemical performance with maximum specific capacitance of 204 Fg-1 in 1 M H2SO4 electrolyte and 197 Fg-1 as a flexible supercapacitor. Moreover, the device displays 100% of specific capacitance retention after 25,000 subsequent charge/discharge cycles in 1 M H2SO4 electrolyte.

SQUID-Detected MRI in the Limit of Zero Static Field

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kelso, Nathan Dean

2009-12-14

This thesis describes an implementation of the so-called"zero-field MRI" (ZFMRI) pulse sequence, which allows for imaging in an arbitrarily low B 0 field. The ZFMRI sequence created an effective unidirectional gradient field by using a train of pi pulses to average out the concomitant gradient components during encoding. The signals were acquired using a low-transition temperature dc Superconducting QUantum Interference Device (low-Tc dc SQUID) coupled to a first-order axial gradiometer. The experiments were carried out in a liquid helium dewar which was magnetically shielded with a single-layer mu-metal can around the outside and a superconducting Pb can contained within themore » helium space. We increased the filling factor of the custom-made, double-walled Pyrex insert by placing the liquid alcohol sample, at a temperature of approximately -50 degrees C, at the center of one loop of the superconducting gradiometer, which was immersed in the helium bath.« less

Linear arrangements of nano-scale ferromagnetic particles spontaneously formed in a copper-base Cu-Ni-Co alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakakura, Hibiki; Kim, Jun-Seop; Takeda, Mahoto

2018-03-01

We have investigated the influence of magnetic interactions on the microstructural evolution of nano-scale granular precipitates formed spontaneously in an annealed Cu-20at%Ni-5at%Co alloy and the associated changes of magnetic properties. The techniques used included transmission electron microscopy, superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry, magneto-thermogravimetry (MTG), and first-principles calculations based on the method of Koster-Korringa-Rostker with the coherent potential approximation. Our work has revealed that the nano-scale spherical and cubic precipitates which formed on annealing at 873 K and 973 K comprise mainly cobalt and nickel with a small amount of copper, and are arranged in the 〈1 0 0〉 direction of the copper matrix. The SQUID and MTG measurements suggest that magnetic properties such as coercivity and Curie temperature are closely correlated with the microstructure. The combination of results suggests that magnetic interactions between precipitates during annealing can explain consistently the observed precipitation phenomena.

Initial Results from SQUID Sensor: Analysis and Modeling for the ELF/VLF Atmospheric Noise

PubMed Central

Hao, Huan; Wang, Huali; Chen, Liang; Wu, Jun; Qiu, Longqing; Rong, Liangliang

2017-01-01

In this paper, the amplitude probability density (APD) of the wideband extremely low frequency (ELF) and very low frequency (VLF) atmospheric noise is studied. The electromagnetic signals from the atmosphere, referred to herein as atmospheric noise, was recorded by a mobile low-temperature superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) receiver under magnetically unshielded conditions. In order to eliminate the adverse effect brought by the geomagnetic activities and powerline, the measured field data was preprocessed to suppress the baseline wandering and harmonics by symmetric wavelet transform and least square methods firstly. Then statistical analysis was performed for the atmospheric noise on different time and frequency scales. Finally, the wideband ELF/VLF atmospheric noise was analyzed and modeled separately. Experimental results show that, Gaussian model is appropriate to depict preprocessed ELF atmospheric noise by a hole puncher operator. While for VLF atmospheric noise, symmetric α-stable (SαS) distribution is more accurate to fit the heavy-tail of the envelope probability density function (pdf). PMID:28216590

Magnetic cooling for microkelvin nanoelectronics on a cryofree platform.

PubMed

Palma, M; Maradan, D; Casparis, L; Liu, T-M; Froning, F N M; Zumbühl, D M

2017-04-01

We present a parallel network of 16 demagnetization refrigerators mounted on a cryofree dilution refrigerator aimed to cool nanoelectronic devices to sub-millikelvin temperatures. To measure the refrigerator temperature, the thermal motion of electrons in a Ag wire-thermalized by a spot-weld to one of the Cu nuclear refrigerators-is inductively picked-up by a superconducting gradiometer and amplified by a SQUID mounted at 4 K. The noise thermometer as well as other thermometers are used to characterize the performance of the system, finding magnetic field independent heat-leaks of a few nW/mol, cold times of several days below 1 mK, and a lowest temperature of 150 μK of one of the nuclear stages in a final field of 80 mT, close to the intrinsic SQUID noise of about 100 μK. A simple thermal model of the system capturing the nuclear refrigerator, heat leaks, and thermal and Korringa links describes the main features very well, including rather high refrigerator efficiencies typically above 80%.

Nondegenerate parametric oscillations in a tunable superconducting resonator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bengtsson, Andreas; Krantz, Philip; Simoen, Michaël; Svensson, Ida-Maria; Schneider, Ben; Shumeiko, Vitaly; Delsing, Per; Bylander, Jonas

2018-04-01

We investigate nondegenerate parametric oscillations in a superconducting microwave multimode resonator that is terminated by a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). The parametric effect is achieved by modulating magnetic flux through the SQUID at a frequency close to the sum of two resonator-mode frequencies. For modulation amplitudes exceeding an instability threshold, self-sustained oscillations are observed in both modes. The amplitudes of these oscillations show good quantitative agreement with a theoretical model. The oscillation phases are found to be correlated and exhibit strong fluctuations which broaden the oscillation spectral linewidths. These linewidths are significantly reduced by applying a weak on-resonant tone, which also suppresses the phase fluctuations. When the weak tone is detuned, we observe synchronization of the oscillation frequency with the frequency of the input. For the detuned input, we also observe an emergence of three idlers in the output. This observation is in agreement with theory indicating four-mode amplification and squeezing of a coherent input.

Design and optimisation of low heat load liquid helium cryostat to house cryogenic current comparator in antiproton decelerator at CERN

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lees, A.; Koettig, T.; Fernandes, M.; Tan, J.

2017-02-01

The Cryogenic Current Comparator (CCC) is installed in the low-energy Antiproton Decelerator (AD) at CERN to make an absolute measurement of the beam intensity. Operating below 4.2 K, it is based on a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) and employs a superconducting niobium shield to supress magnetic field components not linked to the beam current. The AD contains no permanent cryogenic infrastructure so the local continuous liquefaction of helium using a pulse-tube is required; limiting the available cooling power to 0.69 W at 4.2K. Due to the sensitivity of the SQUID to variations in magnetic fields, the CCC is highly sensitive to mechanical vibration which is limited to a minimum by the support systems of the cryostat. This article presents the cooling system of the cryostat and discusses the design challenges overcome to minimise the transmission of vibration to the CCC while operating within the cryogenic limits imposed by the cooling system.

Fabrication of PDMS-Based Microfluidic Devices: Application for Synthesis of Magnetic Nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thu, Vu Thi; Mai, An Ngoc; Le The Tam; Van Trung, Hoang; Thu, Phung Thi; Tien, Bui Quang; Thuat, Nguyen Tran; Lam, Tran Dai

2016-05-01

In this work, we have developed a convenient approach to synthesize magnetic nanoparticles with relatively high magnetization and controllable sizes. This was realized by combining the traditional co-precipitation method and microfluidic techniques inside microfluidic devices. The device was first designed, and then fabricated using simplified soft-lithography techniques. The device was utilized to synthesize magnetite nanoparticles. The synthesized nanomaterials were thoroughly characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy and a vibrating sample magnetometer. The results demonstrated that the as-prepared device can be utilized as a simple and effective tool to synthesize magnetic nanoparticles with the sizes less than 10 nm and magnetization more than 50 emu/g. The development of these devices opens new strategies to synthesize nanomaterials with more precise dimensions at narrow size-distribution and with controllable behaviors.

The mechanics of locomotion in the squid Loligo pealei: locomotory function and unsteady hydrodynamics of the jet and intramantle pressure.

PubMed

Anderson, E J; DeMont, M E

2000-09-01

High-speed, high-resolution digital video recordings of swimming squid (Loligo pealei) were acquired. These recordings were used to determine very accurate swimming kinematics, body deformations and mantle cavity volume. The time-varying squid profile was digitized automatically from the acquired swimming sequences. Mantle cavity volume flow rates were determined under the assumption of axisymmetry and the condition of incompressibility. The data were then used to calculate jet velocity, jet thrust and intramantle pressure, including unsteady effects. Because of the accurate measurements of volume flow rate, the standard use of estimated discharge coefficients was avoided. Equations for jet and whole-cycle propulsive efficiency were developed, including a general equation incorporating unsteady effects. Squid were observed to eject up to 94 % of their intramantle working fluid at relatively high swimming speeds. As a result, the standard use of the so-called large-reservoir approximation in the determination of intramantle pressure by the Bernoulli equation leads to significant errors in calculating intramantle pressure from jet velocity and vice versa. The failure of this approximation in squid locomotion also implies that pressure variation throughout the mantle cannot be ignored. In addition, the unsteady terms of the Bernoulli equation and the momentum equation proved to be significant to the determination of intramantle pressure and jet thrust. Equations of propulsive efficiency derived for squid did not resemble Froude efficiency. Instead, they resembled the equation of rocket motor propulsive efficiency. The Froude equation was found to underestimate the propulsive efficiency of the jet period of the squid locomotory cycle and to overestimate whole-cycle propulsive efficiency when compared with efficiencies calculated from equations derived with the squid locomotory apparatus in mind. The equations for squid propulsive efficiency reveal that the refill period of squid plays a greater role, and the jet period a lesser role, in the low whole-cycle efficiencies predicted in squid and similar jet-propelled organisms. These findings offer new perspectives on locomotory hydrodynamics, intramantle pressure measurements and functional morphology with regard to squid and other jet-propelled organisms.

A Research and Development Strategy for Unexploded Ordnance Sensing

DTIC Science & Technology

1996-04-01

Each lane was carefully traversed with the MK-26 Ordnance Detector (dual fluxgate magnetometer hand-held unit) and the operator hand-excavated any...proton-precessing magnetometers , optically pumped magnetometers , fluxgates magnetometers , and magnetometers based on superconducting quantum...sensitivity better than 0.05 nT, and the optically-pumped magnetometers have sensitivity better than 0.005 nT. Fluxgate magnetometers are based on solid

Prolonged Decline of Jumbo Squid (Dosidicus gigas) Landings in the Gulf of California is Associated with Chronically low wind Stress and Decreased Chlorophyll a after El Niño 2009-2010

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Robinson, C. J.; Gomez-Gutierrez, J.

2016-02-01

Dosidicus gigas (jumbo squid) is an ecologically relevant predator in the Gulf of California, Mexico, where it supports an economically valuable fishery. The commercial jumbo squid fishery in the Gulf declined steeply after an El Niño event in 2009-2010, and subsequent landings have remained at historically low levels in the relevant squid fishing centers (Guaymas, Sonora, and Santa Rosalia, Baja California Sur). In this paper, we examined wind speed and satellite chlorophyll a concentrations on the jumbo squid fishing grounds as factors that would be expected to be relevant to this prolonged period of low landings. Analysis from local weather stations, remote sensing and fishery data showed that low jumbo squid landings from 2010 to 2015 occurred during a period abnormally weak winter/spring winds and extremely low chlorophyll a concentrations off the East Guaymas Basin. Results indicate that the squid fishing area in the Guaymas region has been chronically impoverished during this period, and that this area may no longer be a productive habitat for jumbo squid. In response to this decreased productivity, size-at-maturity of jumbo squid showed a drastic decrease over the same period. Results are compared with the effect of El Niño 1997-1998 on the jumbo squid fishery and size-at-maturity of this species in the Gulf of California. The key difference between the recovery phases for El Niño 1997-1998 versus El Niño2009-2010 was the wind intensity as measured in the Guaymas fishing area.

High-Sensitivity Low-Noise Miniature Fluxgate Magnetometers Using a Flip Chip Conceptual Design

PubMed Central

Lu, Chih-Cheng; Huang, Jeff; Chiu, Po-Kai; Chiu, Shih-Liang; Jeng, Jen-Tzong

2014-01-01

This paper presents a novel class of miniature fluxgate magnetometers fabricated on a print circuit board (PCB) substrate and electrically connected to each other similar to the current “flip chip” concept in semiconductor package. This sensor is soldered together by reversely flipping a 5 cm × 3 cm PCB substrate to the other identical one which includes dual magnetic cores, planar pick-up coils, and 3-D excitation coils constructed by planar Cu interconnections patterned on PCB substrates. Principles and analysis of the fluxgate sensor are introduced first, and followed by FEA electromagnetic modeling and simulation for the proposed sensor. Comprehensive characteristic experiments of the miniature fluxgate device exhibit favorable results in terms of sensitivity (or “responsivity” for magnetometers) and field noise spectrum. The sensor is driven and characterized by employing the improved second-harmonic detection technique that enables linear V-B correlation and responsivity verification. In addition, the double magnitude of responsivity measured under very low frequency (1 Hz) magnetic fields is experimentally demonstrated. As a result, the maximum responsivity of 593 V/T occurs at 50 kHz of excitation frequency with the second harmonic wave of excitation; however, the minimum magnetic field noise is found to be 0.05 nT/Hz1/2 at 1 Hz under the same excitation. In comparison with other miniature planar fluxgates published to date, the fluxgate magnetic sensor with flip chip configuration offers advances in both device functionality and fabrication simplicity. More importantly, the novel design can be further extended to a silicon-based micro-fluxgate chip manufactured by emerging CMOS-MEMS technologies, thus enriching its potential range of applications in modern engineering and the consumer electronics market. PMID:25196107

High-sensitivity low-noise miniature fluxgate magnetometers using a flip chip conceptual design.

PubMed

Lu, Chih-Cheng; Huang, Jeff; Chiu, Po-Kai; Chiu, Shih-Liang; Jeng, Jen-Tzong

2014-07-30

This paper presents a novel class of miniature fluxgate magnetometers fabricated on a print circuit board (PCB) substrate and electrically connected to each other similar to the current "flip chip" concept in semiconductor package. This sensor is soldered together by reversely flipping a 5 cm × 3 cm PCB substrate to the other identical one which includes dual magnetic cores, planar pick-up coils, and 3-D excitation coils constructed by planar Cu interconnections patterned on PCB substrates. Principles and analysis of the fluxgate sensor are introduced first, and followed by FEA electromagnetic modeling and simulation for the proposed sensor. Comprehensive characteristic experiments of the miniature fluxgate device exhibit favorable results in terms of sensitivity (or "responsivity" for magnetometers) and field noise spectrum. The sensor is driven and characterized by employing the improved second-harmonic detection technique that enables linear V-B correlation and responsivity verification. In addition, the double magnitude of responsivity measured under very low frequency (1 Hz) magnetic fields is experimentally demonstrated. As a result, the maximum responsivity of 593 V/T occurs at 50 kHz of excitation frequency with the second harmonic wave of excitation; however, the minimum magnetic field noise is found to be 0.05 nT/Hz(1/2) at 1 Hz under the same excitation. In comparison with other miniature planar fluxgates published to date, the fluxgate magnetic sensor with flip chip configuration offers advances in both device functionality and fabrication simplicity. More importantly, the novel design can be further extended to a silicon-based micro-fluxgate chip manufactured by emerging CMOS-MEMS technologies, thus enriching its potential range of applications in modern engineering and the consumer electronics market.

Optically transduced MEMS magnetometer

DOEpatents

Nielson, Gregory N; Langlois, Eric

2014-03-18

MEMS magnetometers with optically transduced resonator displacement are described herein. Improved sensitivity, crosstalk reduction, and extended dynamic range may be achieved with devices including a deflectable resonator suspended from the support, a first grating extending from the support and disposed over the resonator, a pair of drive electrodes to drive an alternating current through the resonator, and a second grating in the resonator overlapping the first grating to form a multi-layer grating having apertures that vary dimensionally in response to deflection occurring as the resonator mechanically resonates in a plane parallel to the first grating in the presence of a magnetic field as a function of the Lorentz force resulting from the alternating current. A plurality of such multi-layer gratings may be disposed across a length of the resonator to provide greater dynamic range and/or accommodate fabrication tolerances.

Cadmium content in fresh and canned squid (Loligo opalescens) from the Pacific coastal waters of California (USA).

PubMed

Galitsopoulou, A; Georgantelis, D; Kontominas, M G

2009-01-01

Cadmium (Cd) levels were determined in 70 samples of mantle tissue and 70 whole individual squid (Loligo opalescens; commercially known as California squid). Samples were collected from the coastal zones of California (USA) during the period 2007/2008. To further investigate consumer exposure to processed fishery products, cadmium concentration was also determined in 200 canned samples of squid. Cd concentrations in raw mantle were low, between 0.01 and 0.29 mg kg(-1) and below the tolerance limit of current regulations (1 mg kg(-1)). Respective concentrations in whole individuals were significantly higher, ranging from 0.51 to 1.18 mg kg(-1), attributed to the presence of the visceral portion in whole squid samples. Cd concentrations varied in relation to age and sex of squid, indicating that several physiological factors may influence accumulation. Furthermore, canning of squid substantially enhanced Cd levels. Cd concentration ranged 0.17-0.67 mg kg(-1) in canned mantle tissue and 0.86-2.07 mg kg(-1) in canned whole squid samples, due to both concentration after canning and movement of the metal between different tissues. Several biological compounds, including metallothioneins, nucleic acids and enzymes, may affect Cd concentrations in commercial fishery products.

Magnetic microscopic imaging with an optically pumped magnetometer and flux guides

DOE PAGES

Kim, Young Jin; Savukov, Igor Mykhaylovich; Huang, Jen -Huang; ...

2017-01-23

Here, by combining an optically pumped magnetometer (OPM) with flux guides (FGs) and by installing a sample platform on automated translation stages, we have implemented an ultra-sensitive FG-OPM scanning magnetic imaging system that is capable of detecting magnetic fields of ~20 pT with spatial resolution better than 300 μm (expected to reach ~10 pT sensitivity and ~100 μm spatial resolution with optimized FGs). As a demonstration of one possible application of the FG-OPM device, we conducted magnetic imaging of micron-size magnetic particles. Magnetic imaging of such particles, including nano-particles and clusters, is very important for many fields, especially for medicalmore » cancer diagnostics and biophysics applications. For rapid, precise magnetic imaging, we constructed an automatic scanning system, which holds and moves a target sample containing magnetic particles at a given stand-off distance from the FG tips. We show that the device was able to produce clear microscopic magnetic images of 10 μm-size magnetic particles. In addition, we also numerically investigated how the magnetic flux from a target sample at a given stand-off distance is transmitted to the OPM vapor cell.« less

A new spinner magnetometer using high sensitivity magneto-impedance sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kodama, Kazuto

2016-04-01

A sensitive spinner magnetometer was developed using a pair of high-resolution Magneto-Impedance sensors. The MI sensor generally utilizes the MI effect of amorphous wire whose impedance changes by the application of a small magnetic field. Various kinds of MI sensors are currently used in many electric devices, for example, a magnetic compass chip built-in smart phones and car navigations. The MI sensor employed in this study is a pico-Tesla MI sensor, an especially sensitive MI sensor originally manufactured for industrial use to detect contamination of small magnetic particles in industrial materials such as fabrics. To detect weak magnetic signals from natural samples and avoid DC drift, a gradiometer system was employed that consists of a pair of the MI sensors and the electronics with analog filter and pre-amplification circuit. This MI gradiometer system was equipped to a commercial spinner magnetometer (SMD-88, Natsuhara Giken, Osaka) with the spinning rate of 5 Hz. It is demonstrated that this new spinner magnetometer is capable of measuring weak magnetic samples of 10-6 mAm2, with the highest resolution being 10-8 mAm2, approximately two orders of magnitude better than the previous one using a ring-core flux-gate sensor. One of the advantages of the MI spinner magnetometer is that it can be easily modified to accommodate samples of any shape and size. Moreover the slow-rotating speed (5 Hz) allows to measure samples for archeomagnetic studies that are usually irregular and fragile. Because the irregularity of shape increases errors in measuring the dipole component of the total magnetization, it is necessary to increase the distance between the sample and sensor, resulting in poorer sensitivity. The high-sensitivity MI sensor enables to measure the NRM of such irregular-shaped samples from an appropriate distance to the sample, with no significant loss of sensitivity.

SETA Support for the DARPA Microelectronics Technology Insertion Program of the Microelectronics Technology Office

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-08-17

Conclusions. Key personnel planned and administered the 193-nm lithography SBIR workshop on May 7, 1992 as well as planned the GaAs Insertion...converters can use Josephson junctions (JJ) to improve performance. Superconductive quantum interference devices (SQUIDs), such as JJs, are used to form...forward control of a lithography stepper. Mark Conner at Booz-Allen has copies of the charts. You should take a few minutes to review them. I asked Costos

Detection of bacteria in suspension using a superconducting Quantum interference device

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Grossman, H.L.; Myers, W.R.; Vreeland, V.J.

2003-06-09

We demonstrate a technique for detecting magnetically-labeled Listeria monocytogenes and for measuring the binding rate between antibody-linked magnetic particles and bacteria. This assay, which is both sensitive and straightforward to perform, can quantify specific bacteria in a sample without the need to immobilize the bacteria or wash away unbound magnetic particles. In the measurement, we add 50 nm diameter superparamagnetic particles, coated with antibodies, to a liquid sample containing L. monocytogenes. We apply a pulsed magnetic field to align the magnetic dipole moments and use a high transition temperature Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID), an extremely sensitive detector of magneticmore » flux, to measure the magnetic relaxation signal when the field is turned off. Unbound particles randomize direction by Brownian rotation too quickly to be detected. In contrast, particles bound to L. monocytogenes are effectively immobilized and relax in about 1 s by rotation of the internal dipole moment. This Neel relaxation process is detected by the SQUID. The measurements indicate a detection limit of (5.6 {+-} 1.1) x 10{sup 6} L. monocytogenes for a 20 {micro}L sample volume. If the sample volume were reduced to 1 nL, we estimate that the detection limit could be improved to 230 {+-} 40 L. monocytogenes cells. Time-resolved measurements yield the binding rate between the particles and bacteria.« less

Biosensing utilizing magnetic markers and superconducting quantum interference devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Enpuku, Keiji; Tsujita, Yuya; Nakamura, Kota; Sasayama, Teruyoshi; Yoshida, Takashi

2017-05-01

Magnetic biosensing techniques that are based on the use of bio-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (magnetic markers) and superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) are expected to have various advantages when compared with conventional biosensing methods. In this paper, we review the recent progress made in magnetic biosensing techniques. First, we describe the most important parameters of magnetic markers that are intended for use in biosensing, i.e., the magnetic signal and the relaxation time that are determined by the Brownian and/or Néel relaxation mechanisms. We note that these parameters are significantly dependent on the marker size, and as a result, commercial markers exhibit a wide variety of values for these key parameters. Next, we describe three measurement methods that have been developed based on the magnetic properties of these markers, i.e., AC susceptibility, relaxation and remanence-based measurement methods. The weak (picotesla-range) signals emitted by the markers can be measured precisely with a SQUID system using these methods. Finally, we give examples of biosensing for in vitro and in vivo medical diagnosis applications. For in vitro diagnosis, high-sensitivity detection of various biological targets has been demonstrated without use of any washing process to separate the bound and free markers. For in vivo applications, detection of the quantities and the three-dimensional positions of the markers that have been injected into the test subject are demonstrated. These results confirm the effectiveness of magnetic biosensing techniques.

The UT 19-channel DC SQUID based neuromagnetometer.

PubMed

ter Brake, H J; Flokstra, J; Jaszczuk, W; Stammis, R; van Ancum, G K; Martinez, A; Rogalla, H

1991-01-01

A 19-channel DC SQUID based neuromagnetometer is under construction at the University of Twente (UT). Except for the cryostat all elements of the system are developed at the UT. It comprises 19 wire-wound first-order gradiometers in a hexagonal configuration. The gradiometers are connected to planar DC SQUIDs fabricated with a Nb/Al, AlO kappa/Nb technology. For this connection we developed a method to bond a Nb wire to a Nb thin-film. The SQUIDs are placed in compartmentalised Nb modules. Further, external feedback is incorporated in order to eliminate cross talk between the gradiometers. The electronics basically consist of a phase-locked loop operating with a modulation frequency of 100 kHz. Between SQUID and preamplifier a small transformer is used to limit the noise contribution of the preamplifier. In the paper the overall system is described, and special attention is paid to the SQUID module (bonding, compartments, external-feedback setup, output transformer).

Biofunctional Properties of Enzymatic Squid Meat Hydrolysate

PubMed Central

Choi, Joon Hyuk; Kim, Kyung-Tae; Kim, Sang Moo

2015-01-01

Squid is one of the most important commercial fishes in the world and is mainly utilized or consumed as sliced raw fish or as processed products. The biofunctional activities of enzymatic squid meat hydrolysate were determined to develop value-added products. Enzymatic squid hydrolysate manufactured by Alcalase effectively quenched 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical, hydroxyl radical, and hydrogen peroxide radical with IC50 values of 311, 3,410, and 111.5 μg/mL, respectively. Angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory activity of squid hydrolysate was strong with an IC50 value of 145.1 μg/mL, while tyrosinase inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 4.72 mg/mL was moderately low. Overall, squid meat hydrolysate can be used in food or cosmetic industries as a bioactive ingredient and possibly be used in the manufacture of seasoning, bread, noodle, or cosmetics. PMID:25866752

Long-term vacuum tests of single-mode vertical cavity surface emitting laser diodes used for a scalar magnetometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hagen, C.; Ellmeier, M.; Piris, J.; Lammegger, R.; Jernej, I.; Magnes, W.; Murphy, E.; Pollinger, A.; Erd, C.; Baumjohann, W.

2017-11-01

Scalar magnetometers measure the magnitude of the magnetic field, while vector magnetometers (mostly fluxgate magnetometers) produce three-component outputs proportional to the magnitude and the direction of the magnetic field. While scalar magnetometers have a high accuracy, vector magnetometers suffer from parameter drifts and need to be calibrated during flight. In some cases, full science return can only be achieved by a combination of vector and scalar magnetometers.

A tunable microstrip SQUID amplifier for the Axion Dark Matter eXperiment (ADMX)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Kelley, Sean; Hansen, Jorn; Weingarten, Elan; Mueck, Michael; Hilton, Gene; Clarke, John

2014-03-01

We describe a microstrip SQUID (Superconducting QUantum Interference Device) amplifier (MSA) used as the photon detector in the Axion Dark Matter eXperiment (ADMX). Cooled to 100 mK or lower, an optimized MSA approaches the quantum limit of detection. The axion dark matter is detected via Primakoff conversion to a microwave photon in a high-Q (~ 105) tunable microwave cavity, currently cooled to about 1.6 K, in the presence of a 7-tesla magnetic field. The MSA consists of a square loop of thin Nb film, incorporating two Josephson tunnel junctions with resistive shunts to prevent hysteresis in the current-voltage characteristic. The microstrip is a square Nb coil deposited over an intervening insulating layer. Since the photon frequency is determined by the unknown axion mass, the cavity and amplifier must be tunable over a broad frequency range. Tunability is achieved by terminating the microstrip with a GaAs varactor diode with a voltage-controlled capacitance that enables us to vary the resonance from nearly 1/2 to 1/4 of a wavelength. With the SQUID current-biased in the voltage state, we demonstrate a gain of typically 20 dB over nearly one octave, 415 MHz to 800 MHz. Supported by DOE Grants DE-FG02-97ER41029, DE-FG02-96ER40956, DE-AC52-07NA27344, DE-AC03-76SF00098, NSF grants PHY-1067242 and PHY-1306729, and the Livermore LDRD program.

Whole-head SQUID system in a superconducting magnetic shield.

PubMed

Ohta, H; Matsui, T; Uchikawa, Y

2004-11-30

We have constructed a mobile whole-head SQUID system in a superconducting magnetic shield - a cylinder of high Tc superconductor BSCCO of 65 cm in diameter and 160 cm in length. We compared the noise spectra of several SQUID sensors of SNS Josephson junctions in the superconducting magnetic shield with those of the same SQUID sensors in a magnetically shielded room of Permalloy. The SQUID sensors in the superconducting magnetic shield are more than 100 times more sensitive than those in a magnetically shielded room of Permalloy below 1 Hz. We tested the whole-head SQUID system in the superconducting magnetic shield observing somatosensory signals evoked by stimulating the median nerve in the right wrist of patients by current pulses. We present data of 64 and 128 traces versus the common time axis for comparison. Most sensory responses of human brains phase out near 250 ms. However monotonic rhythms still remain even at longer latencies than 250 ms. The nodes of these rhythm are very narrow even at these longer latencies just indicating low noise characteristics of the SQUID system at low-frequencies. The current dipoles at the secondary somatosensory area SII are evoked at longer latencies than 250 ms contributing to a higher-level brain function. The SQUID system in a superconducting magnetic shield will also have advantages when it is used as a DC MEG to study very slow activities and function of the brain.

Potential use of stable isotope and fatty acid analyses for traceability of geographic origins of jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas).

PubMed

Gong, Yi; Li, Yunkai; Chen, Xinjun; Chen, Ling

2018-04-15

Squid is an important seafood resource for Asian and European countries. With the continuous development of processed squid products, an effective traceability system has become increasingly prominent. Here, we attempt to trace the fishery products of the main target species, jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas), by using biochemical tracers. Carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios (δ 13 C and δ 15 N values) and fatty acid profiles were identified in squid from three harvest locations in the eastern Pacific Ocean by isotope ratio mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, respectively. Comparative analysis was used to evaluate the geographic variations in tracers and to identify the suitable discriminatory variables among origins. Significant spatial variations were found in isotopic values and fatty acid profiles in squid muscle tissues, possibly because of different food availability and/or oceanographic conditions that each group experiences at a given location. The stepwise discriminant analysis indicated that δ 15 N, C16:1n7, C17:1n7, C18:2n6, C20:1 and C20:4n6 were effective variables at differentiating origin. Combined use of stable isotope ratios and fatty acid analyses could trace geographic origins of jumbo squid. This study provides an alternative approach for improving authenticity evaluation of commercial squid products. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Timing of squid migration reflects North Atlantic climate variability.

PubMed

Sims, D W; Genner, M J; Southward, A J; Hawkins, S J

2001-12-22

The environmental and biotic conditions affecting fisheries for cephalopods are only partially understood. A problem central to this is how climate change may influence population movements by altering the availability of thermal resources. In this study we investigate the links between climate and sea-temperature changes and squid arrival time off southwestern England over a 20-year period. We show that veined squid (Loligo forbesi) migrate eastward in the English Channel earlier when water in the preceding months is warmer, and that higher temperatures and early arrival correspond with warm (positive) phases of the North Atlantic oscillation (NAO). The timing of squid peak abundance advanced by 120-150 days in the warmest years ('early' years) compared with the coldest ('late' years). Furthermore, sea-bottom temperature was closely linked to the extent of squid movement. Temperature increases over the five months prior to and during the month of peak squid abundance did not differ between early and late years, indicating squid responded to temperature changes independently of time of year. We conclude that the temporal variation in peak abundance of squid seen off Plymouth represents temperature-dependent movement, which is in turn mediated by climatic changes associated with the NAO. Such climate-mediated movement may be a widespread characteristic of cephalopod populations worldwide, and may have implications for future fisheries management because global warming may alter both the timing and location of peak population abundance.

Therapeutic Significance of Loligo vulgaris (Lamarck, 1798) ink Extract: A Biomedical Approach.

PubMed

Nadarajah, Sri Kumaran; Vijayaraj, Radha; Mani, Jayaprakashvel

2017-12-01

The squid ink extract is well known for its biomedical properties. In this study, squid Loligo vulgaris was collected from Tuticorin costal water, Bay of Bengal, India. Proximate composition of the crude squid ink was studied and found to have protein as the major component over lipid and carbohydrates. Further, bioactive fractions of squid ink were extracted with ethanol, and therapeutic applications such as hemolytic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and in vitro anti-inflammatory properties were analyzed using standard methods. In hemolytic assay, the squid ink extract exhibited a maximum hemolytic activity of 128 hemolytic unit against tested erythrocytes. In DPPH assay, the ethanolic extract of squid ink has exhibited an antioxidant activity of 83.5%. The squid ink was found to be potent antibacterial agent against the pathogens tested. 200 μL of L. vulgaris ink extract showed remarkable antibacterial activity as zone of inhibition against Escherichia coli (28 mm), Klebsiella pneumoniae (22 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (21 mm), and Staphylococcus aureus (24 mm). The 68.9% inhibition of protein denaturation by the squid ink extract indicated that it has very good in vitro anti-inflammatory properties. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of the ethanolic extracts of the squid ink indicated the presence of functional groups such as 1° and 2° amines, amides, alkynes (terminal), alkenes, aldehydes, nitriles, alkanes, aliphatic amines, carboxylic acids, and alkyl halides, which complements the biochemical background of therapeutic applications. Hence, results of this study concluded that the ethanolic extract of L. vulgaris has many therapeutic applications such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. Squid ink is very high in a number of important nutrients. It's particularly high in antioxidants for instance, which as well all know help to protect the cells and the heart against damage from free radicals. In the present study, the squid ink have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic properties and can be considered as promising the developing the drugs. Abbreviations Used: DPPH: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, FTIR: Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, BSA: Bovine Serum Albumin.

Therapeutic Significance of Loligo vulgaris (Lamarck, 1798) ink Extract: A Biomedical Approach

PubMed Central

Nadarajah, Sri Kumaran; Vijayaraj, Radha; Mani, Jayaprakashvel

2017-01-01

Background: The squid ink extract is well known for its biomedical properties. Objective: In this study, squid Loligo vulgaris was collected from Tuticorin costal water, Bay of Bengal, India. Materials and Methods: Proximate composition of the crude squid ink was studied and found to have protein as the major component over lipid and carbohydrates. Further, bioactive fractions of squid ink were extracted with ethanol, and therapeutic applications such as hemolytic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and in vitro anti-inflammatory properties were analyzed using standard methods. Results: In hemolytic assay, the squid ink extract exhibited a maximum hemolytic activity of 128 hemolytic unit against tested erythrocytes. In DPPH assay, the ethanolic extract of squid ink has exhibited an antioxidant activity of 83.5%. The squid ink was found to be potent antibacterial agent against the pathogens tested. 200 μL of L. vulgaris ink extract showed remarkable antibacterial activity as zone of inhibition against Escherichia coli (28 mm), Klebsiella pneumoniae (22 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (21 mm), and Staphylococcus aureus (24 mm). The 68.9% inhibition of protein denaturation by the squid ink extract indicated that it has very good in vitro anti-inflammatory properties. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of the ethanolic extracts of the squid ink indicated the presence of functional groups such as 1° and 2° amines, amides, alkynes (terminal), alkenes, aldehydes, nitriles, alkanes, aliphatic amines, carboxylic acids, and alkyl halides, which complements the biochemical background of therapeutic applications. Conclusion: Hence, results of this study concluded that the ethanolic extract of L. vulgaris has many therapeutic applications such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. SUMMARY Squid ink is very high in a number of important nutrients. It’s particularly high in antioxidants for instance, which as well all know help to protect the cells and the heart against damage from free radicals. In the present study, the squid ink have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic properties and can be considered as promising the developing the drugs. Abbreviations Used: DPPH: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, FTIR: Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, BSA: Bovine Serum Albumin PMID:29333051

Squid-derived chitin oligosaccharides are a chemotactic signal during colonization by Vibrio fischeri.

PubMed

Mandel, Mark J; Schaefer, Amy L; Brennan, Caitlin A; Heath-Heckman, Elizabeth A C; Deloney-Marino, Cindy R; McFall-Ngai, Margaret J; Ruby, Edward G

2012-07-01

Chitin, a polymer of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), is noted as the second most abundant biopolymer in nature. Chitin serves many functions for marine bacteria in the family Vibrionaceae ("vibrios"), in some instances providing a physical attachment site, inducing natural genetic competence, and serving as an attractant for chemotaxis. The marine luminous bacterium Vibrio fischeri is the specific symbiont in the light-emitting organ of the Hawaiian bobtail squid, Euprymna scolopes. The bacterium provides the squid with luminescence that the animal uses in an antipredatory defense, while the squid supports the symbiont's nutritional requirements. V. fischeri cells are harvested from seawater during each host generation, and V. fischeri is the only species that can complete this process in nature. Furthermore, chitin is located in squid hemocytes and plays a nutritional role in the symbiosis. We demonstrate here that chitin oligosaccharides produced by the squid host serve as a chemotactic signal for colonizing bacteria. V. fischeri uses the gradient of host chitin to enter the squid light organ duct and colonize the animal. We provide evidence that chitin serves a novel function in an animal-bacterial mutualism, as an animal-produced bacterium-attracting synomone.

Size increment of jumbo flying squid Dosidicus gigas mature females in Peruvian waters, 1989-2004

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Argüelles, Juan; Tafur, Ricardo; Taipe, Anatolio; Villegas, Piero; Keyl, Friedeman; Dominguez, Noel; Salazar, Martín

2008-10-01

Changes in population structure of the jumbo flying squid Dosidicus gigas in Peruvian waters were studied based on size-at-maturity from 1989 to 2004. From 1989 to 1999, mature squid belonging to the medium-sized group prevailed, but from 2001 on, mature squids were larger. This change is not related to the changes in sea surface temperature and we hypothesized that it was caused by the population increase of mesopelagic fishes as prey.

Modeling the Effects of Varying the Capacitance, Resistance, Temperature, and Frequency Dependence for HTS Josephson Junctions, DC SQUIDs and DC bi-SQUIDS

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-01

junction is a thin layer of insulating material sep- arating two superconductors that is thin enough for electrons to tunnel through. Two Josephson...can sense minute magnetic fields approaching 1015 Tesla. These SQUIDs can be arranged in arrays with different coupling schemes and parameter values to...different material and/or method on the bisecting Josephson junction for high temperature superconductor (HTS) YBa2Cu3O7 (YBCO) bi-SQUIDs. This

Controlling Hysteresis in Superconducting Weak Links and μ-Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Nikhil; Winkelmann, C. B.; Biswas, Sourav; Courtois, H.; Gupta, Anjan K.

We have fabricated and studied the current-voltage characteristics of a number of niobium film based weak-link devices and μ-SQUIDs showing a critical current and two re-trapping currents. We have proposed a new understanding for the re-trapping currents in terms of thermal instabilities in different portions of the device. We also find that the superconducting proximity effect and the phase-slip processes play an important role in dictating the temperature dependence of the critical current in the non-hysteretic regime. The proximity effect helps in widening the temperature range of hysteresis-free characteristics. Finally we demonstrate control on temperature-range with hysteresis-free characteristics in two ways: 1) By using a parallel shunt resistor in close vicinity of the device, and 2) by reducing the weak-link width. Thus we get non-hysteretic behavior down to 1.3 K temperature in some of the studied devices. We acknowledge the financial support from CSIR, India as well as CNRS-Institute Neel, Grenoble, France.

Formulating an image matching strategy for terrestrial stem data collection using a multisensor video system

Treesearch

Neil A. Clark

2001-01-01

A multisensor video system has been developed incorporating a CCD video camera, a 3-axis magnetometer, and a laser-rangefinding device, for the purpose of measuring individual tree stems. While preliminary results show promise, some changes are needed to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the system. Image matching is needed to improve the accuracy of length...

Molecular identification of anisakid nematodes third stage larvae isolated from common squid ( Todarodes pacificus) in Korea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Setyobudi, Eko; Jeon, Chan-Hyeok; Choi, Kwangho; Lee, Sung Il; Lee, Chung Il; Kim, Jeong-Ho

2013-06-01

The occurrence of Genus Anisakis nematode larvae in marine fishes and cephalopods is epidemiologically important because Anisakis simplex larval stage can cause a clinical disease in humans when infected hosts are consumed raw. Common squid ( Todarodes pacificus) from Korean waters were investigated for anisakid nematodes infection during 2009˜2011. In total, 1,556 larvae were collected from 615 common squids and 732 of them were subsequently identified by PCR-RFLP analysis of ITS rDNA. Depending on the sampling locations, the nematode larvae from common squid showed different prevalence, intensity and species distribution. A high prevalence (P) and mean intensity (MI) of infection were observed in the Yellow Sea (n = 250, P = 86.0%, MI = 5.99 larvae/host) and the southern sea of Korea (n = 126, P = 57.1%, MI = 3.36 larvae/host). Anisakis pegreffii was dominantly found in common squid from the southern sea (127/ 140, 90.7%) and the Yellow Sea (561/565, 98.9%). In contrast, the P and MI of infection were relatively low in the East Sea (n = 239, P = 8.37%, MI = 1.25 larvae/host). A. pegreffii was not found from the East Sea and 52.0% (13/25) of the nematodes were identified as A. simplex. Most of them were found in the body cavity or digestive tract of common squid, which are rarely consumed raw by humans. Considering the differenences in anisakid nematode species distribution and their microhabitat in common squid, it remains unclear whether common squid plays an important role in the epidemiology of human anisakis infection in Korea. Further extensive identification of anisakid nematodes in common squid, with geographical and seasonal information will be necessary.

Food web and fish stock changes in central Chile: comparing the roles of jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) predation, the environment, and fisheries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neira, Sergio; Arancibia, Hugo

2013-10-01

We analyzed recent food web and fish stock changes in the central Chile marine ecosystem, comparing the roles of jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) as predator, the environment, and fishing. To accomplish this we used food web modeling and the Ecopath with Ecosim software (EwE). The principal fish stocks have experienced wide decadal fluctuations in the past 30 years, including stock collapses of horse mackerel (Trachurus murphyi) and hake (Merluccius gayi), and there was a large influx of jumbo squid during the mid-2000s. We used two EwE models representing the food web off central Chile to test the hypothesis that predation by jumbo squid has been significant in explaining the dynamics of the main fishing resources and other species in the study area. Results indicate that predation by jumbo squid on fish stocks is lower than that of other predators (e.g. hake) and the fishery. Long-term fluctuations (1978-2004) in the biomass of the main fish stocks (as well as other components of the food web) seem to be related to fishing and to variation in primary production, rather than to predation by jumbo squid alone. Jumbo squid seems to play a role as predator rather than prey in the system, but its impacts are low when compared with the impacts of other predators and fishing. Therefore, we conclude that jumbo squid predation on its prey was not the primary force behind the collapse of important fish stocks off central Chile. Future efforts should be directed to better understanding factors that trigger sudden increases in jumbo squid abundance off central Chile, as well as modeling its trophic impacts.

Characterization of the Bacterial Diversity in Indo-West Pacific Loliginid and Sepiolid Squid Light Organs

PubMed Central

Guerrero-Ferreira, Ricardo; Gorman, Clayton; Chavez, Alba A.; Willie, Shantell

2013-01-01

Loliginid and sepiolid squid light organs are known to host a variety of bacterial species from the family Vibrionaceae, yet little is known about the species diversity and characteristics among different host squids. Here we present a broad-ranging molecular and physiological analysis of the bacteria colonizing light organs in loliginid and sepiolid squids from various field locations of the Indo-West Pacific (Australia and Thailand). Our PCR-RFLP analysis, physiological characterization, carbon utilization profiling, and electron microscopy data indicate that loliginid squid in the Indo-West Pacific carry a consortium of bacterial species from the families Vibrionaceae and Photobacteriaceae. This research also confirms our previous report of the presence of Vibrio harveyi as a member of the bacterial population colonizing light organs in loliginid squid. pyrH sequence data were used to confirm isolate identity, and indicates that Vibrio and Photobacterium comprise most of the light organ colonizers of squids from Australia, confirming previous reports for Australian loliginid and sepiolid squids. In addition, combined phylogenetic analysis of PCR-RFLP and 16S rDNA data from Australian and Thai isolates associated both Photobacterium and Vibrio clades with both loliginid and sepiolid strains, providing support that geographical origin does not correlate with their relatedness. These results indicate that both loliginid and sepiolid squids demonstrate symbiont specificity (Vibrionaceae), but their distribution is more likely due to environmental factors that are present during the infection process. This study adds significantly to the growing evidence for complex and dynamic associations in nature and highlights the importance of exploring symbiotic relationships in which non-virulent strains of pathogenic Vibrio species could establish associations with marine invertebrates. PMID:22885637

Structural Bus and Release Mechanisms on the ST5 Satellites: Summary and Status

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rossoni, Peter

2007-01-01

The Space Technology 5 Mechanical System met the challenge of packaging a fully functional science and technology satellite system with its Deployer mechanism into a compact 0.07cu m volume. Three 25 kg satellites were orbited in constellation in March, 2006. The ST5 mechanical system is composed of 1) The Structural Bus; 2) Magnetometer Instrument Boom 3) Spacecraft Deployer Release Mechanism This system includes a highly integrated electronics enclosure as a multifunctional structure; a lightweight, magnetically clean Magnetometer Boom; the first use of Nitinol Shape-Memory Alloy trigger devices for deploying multiple spacecraft; an innovative compliant mount for the umbilical connector and a Deployer mechanism that imparts both separation velocity and mission spin rate to three constellation flying satellites These elements employed cutting-edge design and analysis tools, state-of-the-art testing facilities and proven engineering techniques to meet stringent performance criteria, enabling the mission s success.

Fluorescence quenching and the "ring-mode" to "red-mode" transition in alkali inductively coupled plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, M.; Bazurto, R.; Camparo, J.

2018-01-01

The ring-mode to red-mode transition in alkali metal inductively coupled plasmas (ICPs) (i.e., rf-discharge lamps) is perhaps the most important physical phenomenon affecting these devices as optical pumping light sources for atomic clocks and magnetometers. It sets the limit on useful ICP operating temperature, thereby setting a limit on ICP light output for atomic-clock/magnetometer signal generation, and it is a temperature region of ICP operation associated with discharge instability. Previous work has suggested that the mechanism driving the ring-mode to red-mode transition is associated with radiation trapping, but definitive experimental evidence validating that hypothesis has been lacking. Based on that hypothesis, one would predict that the introduction of an alkali-fluorescence quenching gas (i.e., N2) into the ICP would increase the ring-mode to red-mode transition temperature. Here, we test that prediction, finding direct evidence supporting the radiation-trapping hypothesis.

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Data Analysis System (DAS). Environmental Quality Technology Program

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-09-01

is comprised of an EMI sensor, cesium (Cs) vapor magnetometer , fluxgate magnetometer , hand-held data acquisition computer, integrated power supply...Geometrics model 823A Cs vapor magnetometer . The fluxgate magnetometer is a Bartington model Mag-3MRN60, three- axis fluxgate magnetometer . The system...9. The ERDC hand-held Dual TFM/EMI with ArcSecond positioning system. During standard usage, the fluxgate magnetometer is used to provide the

Effect of thermal processing and canning on cadmium and lead levels in California market squid: the role of metallothioneins.

PubMed

Galitsopoulou, A; Georgantelis, D; Kontominas, M G

2013-01-01

The effects of two common seafood preparation practices (roasting and industrial canning) on the heavy metal content--cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb)--of various tissues of California market squid were studied. Emphasis was placed on the role of metallothioneins (MT) in Cd and Pb behaviour during processing. Cd and Pb analysis was conducted by a Zeeman GTA-AAS atomic absorption spectrometry system; MT analysis was performed by a mercury saturation assay. Results showed that Cd levels in the mantle and whole squid were considerably affected by both processing practices, reaching a 240% increase in mantle and a 40% increase in whole squid. Interestingly, Cd behaviour was associated with MT changes during squid processing. On the other hand, Pb content was not affected from either processing or associated with MT content in the raw or processed squid. Therefore, processing operations may affect Cd and Pb content differently due to the specific metal bioaccumulation and chemical features of each heavy metal type.

System having unmodulated flux locked loop for measuring magnetic fields

DOEpatents

Ganther, Jr., Kenneth R.; Snapp, Lowell D [Blue Springs, MO

2006-08-15

A system (10) for measuring magnetic fields, wherein the system (10) comprises an unmodulated or direct-feedback flux locked loop (12) connected by first and second unbalanced RF coaxial transmission lines (16a, 16b) to a superconducting quantum interference device (14). The FLL (12) operates for the most part in a room-temperature or non-cryogenic environment, while the SQUID (14) operates in a cryogenic environment, with the first and second lines (16a, 16b) extending between these two operating environments.

Prospects for small cryocoolers. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Radebaugh, R.

1982-01-01

Small cryocoolers are commonly used in the areas of infrared detection, satellite communication, and cryopumps. Some emerging application areas deal with SQUID and Josephson junction devices, which require temperatures of about 8 K or below. The need for high reliability in these small cryocoolers has dictated the use of regenerative-cycle machines, but such machines are presently limited to temperatures above about 8 K. This paper discusses some of the research being done to improve reliability, decrease noise, and reduce the low-temperature limit of small cryocoolers.

Novel Polymers Containing Metal Ligands in the Side Chain

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-10-01

10 2011): 0. doi: 10.1021/bm2010142 2012/10/01 15:35:02 10 Jun Cui, Melissa A. Lackey, Ahmad E. Madkour , Erika M. Saffer, David M. Griffin, Surita R...values for the linear fits are around 0.98. [M] denotes the monomer concentration. M- H measurement. If the RTF behavior of the previously...magnetization as a function of the applied field (M- H ) was measured at room temperature by a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) for all of

Realizing various approximate quantum cloning with XY-type exchange interactions of flux qubits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Na; Ye, Liu

2014-03-01

In this paper, we realize all kinds of 1 → 2 approximate quantum cloning, including optimal 1 → 2 symmetric (or asymmetric) universal quantum cloning (UQC) and phase-covariant cloning (PCC), symmetric economical phase-covariant cloning (EPCC) and real state quantum cloning, with the XY-type exchange interactions of the flux qubits which are coupled by dc superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs). It is shown that our schemes can be realized with the current experimental technology.

Experimental formation of a fractional vortex in a superconducting bi-layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanaka, Y.; Yamamori, H.; Yanagisawa, T.; Nishio, T.; Arisawa, S.

2018-05-01

We report the experimental formation of a fractional vortex generated by using a thin superconducting bi-layer in the form of a niobium bi-layer, observed as a magnetic flux distribution image taken by a scanning superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) microscope. Thus, we demonstrated that multi-component superconductivity can be realized by an s-wave conventional superconductor, because, in these superconductors, the magnetic flux is no longer quantized as it is destroyed by the existence of an inter-component phase soliton (i-soliton).

Mean-Square Error Due to Gradiometer Field Measuring Devices

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-06-01

convolving the gradiometer data with the inverse transform of I /T(a, 13), applying an ap- Hence (2) may be expressed in the transform domain as propriate... inverse transform of I / T(ot, 1) will not be possible quency measurements," Superconductor Applications: SQUID’s and because its inverse does not exist...and because it is a high- Machines, B. B. Schwartz and S. Foner, Eds. New York: Plenum pass function its use in an inverse transform technique Press

Analog cosmological particle generation in a superconducting circuit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, Zehua; Jing, Jiliang; Dragan, Andrzej

2017-06-01

We propose the use of a waveguidelike transmission line based on direct-current superconducting quantum interference devices (dc-SQUID) and demonstrate that the node flux in this transmission line behaves in the same way as quantum fields in an expanding (or contracting) universe. We show how to detect the analog cosmological particle generation and analyze its feasibility with current circuit quantum electrodynamics (cQED) technology. Our setup in principle paves a new way for the exploration of analog quantum gravitational effects.

Ultrasensitive Superconducting Transition Edge Sensors Based On Electron-Phonon Decoupling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jethava, Nikhil; Chervenak, James; Brown, Ari-David; Benford, Dominic; Kletetschka, Gunther; Mikula, Vilem; U-yen, Kongpop

2011-01-01

We have successfully fabricated the superconducting transition edge sensor (TES), bolometer technology that centers on the use of electron-phonon decoupling (EPD) to thermally isolate the bolometer. Along with material characterization for large format antenna coupled bolometer arrays, we present the initial test results of bolometer based on EPD designed for THz detection. We have selected a design approach that separates the two functions of photon absorption and temperature measurement, allowing separate optimization of the performance of each element. We have integrated Molybdenum/Gold (Mo/Au) bilayer TES and ion assisted thermally evaporated (IAE) Bismuth (Bi) films as radiation absorber coupled to a low-loss microstripline from Niobium (Nb) ground plane to a twin-slot antenna structure. The thermal conductance and the time constant of these devices have been measured, and are consistent with our calculations. The device exhibits a single time constant at 0.1 K of approx.160 IlS, which is compatible with readout by a high-bandwidth single SQUID or a time domain SQUID multiplexer. The effects of thermal conductance and electrothermal feedback are major determinants of the time constant, but the electronic heat capacity also plays a major role. The NEP achieved in the device described above is 2.5x10(exp -17)W(gamma)Hz. Our plan is to demonstrate a reduction of the volume in the superconducting element to 5 microns x 5 microns in films of half the thickness at Tc = 60mK. By calculation, this new geometry corresponds to an NEP reduction of two orders of magnitude to 2.5x10(exp -19)W/(gamma)Hz, with a time constant of 130/ls.

NIS tunnel junction as an x-ray photon sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Azgui, Fatma; Mears, Carl A.; Labov, Simon E.; Frank, Matthias A.; Sadoulet, Bernard; Brunet, E.; Hiller, Lawrence J.; Lindeman, Mark A.; Netel, Harrie

1995-09-01

This work presents the first results of our development of normal-insulating-superconducting tunnel junctions used as energy dispersive detectors for low energy particles. The device described here is a Ag/Al(subscript 2)O(subscript 3)/Al tunnel junction of area 1.5 multiplied by 10(superscript 4) micrometer squared with thicknesses of 200 nm for the normal Ag strip and 100 nm for the superconducting Al film. Two different high-speed SQUID systems manufactured by quantum magnetics and HYPRES, respectively, were used for the readout of this device. At 80 mK bath temperature we obtained an energy resolution DeltaE(subscript FWHM) equals 250 eV for 5.89 keV x rays absorbed directly in the normal metal. This energy resolution appears to be limited in large part by the observed strong position dependence of the device response.

Aperture effects in squid jet propulsion.

PubMed

Staaf, Danna J; Gilly, William F; Denny, Mark W

2014-05-01

Squid are the largest jet propellers in nature as adults, but as paralarvae they are some of the smallest, faced with the inherent inefficiency of jet propulsion at a low Reynolds number. In this study we describe the behavior and kinematics of locomotion in 1 mm paralarvae of Dosidicus gigas, the smallest squid yet studied. They swim with hop-and-sink behavior and can engage in fast jets by reducing the size of the mantle aperture during the contraction phase of a jetting cycle. We go on to explore the general effects of a variable mantle and funnel aperture in a theoretical model of jet propulsion scaled from the smallest (1 mm mantle length) to the largest (3 m) squid. Aperture reduction during mantle contraction increases propulsive efficiency at all squid sizes, although 1 mm squid still suffer from low efficiency (20%) because of a limited speed of contraction. Efficiency increases to a peak of 40% for 1 cm squid, then slowly declines. Squid larger than 6 cm must either reduce contraction speed or increase aperture size to maintain stress within maximal muscle tolerance. Ecological pressure to maintain maximum velocity may lead them to increase aperture size, which reduces efficiency. This effect might be ameliorated by nonaxial flow during the refill phase of the cycle. Our model's predictions highlight areas for future empirical work, and emphasize the existence of complex behavioral options for maximizing efficiency at both very small and large sizes.

Nonmagnetic high pressure cell for magnetic remanence measurements up to 1.5 GPa in a superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer.

PubMed

Sadykov, Ravil A; Bezaeva, Natalia S; Kharkovskiy, Alexander I; Rochette, Pierre; Gattacceca, Jérome; Trukhin, Vladimir I

2008-11-01

We describe here a compact nonmagnetic composite high pressure cell of piston-cylinder type with inner diameter of 6 mm equipped with manganin pressure sensor. This cell was developed for room temperature measurements of magnetic remanence of relatively large rock samples (up to 5.8 mm in diameter and 15 mm long cylinders) under hydrostatic pressure up to 1.5 GPa (the operating pressure limit) in the 2G Enterprises superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer. Its design was focused on minimizing the remanent magnetic moment m(r) of the cell (m(r)=3 x 10(-8) A m(2)) that allowed direct measurements of remanent magnetic moment M(r) under pressure for weakly magnetic materials-rock samples (M(r) epsilon[5 x 10(-7),10(-4)] A m(2)). The inner part of this composite cell is made of hard "Russian alloy" (Ni(57)Cr(40)Al(3)) whereas the envelope of the cell corps is made of less magnetic titanium alloy. This design solution permitted to reduce the total remanent magnetic moment of the whole cell and represents the main device feature. We describe here the choice of materials for pressure cell based on their magnetic and mechanical properties, the choice of the pressure transmitting medium (polyethilsiloxane liquid) providing perfectly hydrostatic conditions for the sample as well as the cell geometry. The cell performance is illustrated by results of pressure demagnetization experiments on rocks and minerals.

77 FR 22678 - Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-17

.... 110707371-2136-02] RIN 0648- XB145 Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Closure of the Trimester 1 Longfin Squid Fishery AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION...

Natural mortality estimation and rational exploitation of purpleback flying squid Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis in the southern South China Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xuehui; Qiu, Yongsong; Zhang, Peng; Du, Feiyan

2017-07-01

Based on the biological data of purpleback flying squid ( Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis) collected by light falling-net in the southern South China Sea (SCS) during September to October 2012 and March to April 2013, growth and mortality of `Medium' and `Dwarf' forms of squid are derived using the Powell-Wetherall, ELEFAN methods and length-converted catch curves (FiSAT package). Given a lack of commercial exploitation, we assume total mortality to be due entirely to natural mortality. We estimate these squid have fast growth, with growth coefficients ( k) ranging from 1.42 to 2.39, and high natural mortality ( M), with estimates ranging from 1.61 to 2.92. To sustainably exploit these squid stocks, yield per recruitment based on growth and natural mortality was determined using the Beverton-Holt dynamic pool model. We demonstrate squid stocks could sustain high fishing mortality and low ages at first capture, with an optimal fishing mortality >3.0, with the optimal age at first capture increased to 0.4-0.6 years when fishing mortality approached optimal levels. On the basis of our analyses and estimates of stock biomass, we believe considerable potential exists to expand the squid fishery into the open SCS, relieving fishing pressure on coastal waters.

Material properties of Pacific hake, Humboldt squid, and two species of myctophids in the California Current.

PubMed

Becker, Kaylyn N; Warren, Joseph D

2015-05-01

Material properties of the flesh from three fish species (Merluccius productus, Symbolophorus californiensis, and Diaphus theta), and several body parts of the Humboldt squid (Dosidicus gigas) collected from the California Current ecosystem were measured. The density contrast relative to seawater varied within and among taxa for fish flesh (0.9919-1.036), squid soft body parts (mantle, arms, tentacle, braincase, eyes; 1.009-1.057), and squid hard body parts (beak and pen; 1.085-1.459). Effects of animal length and environmental conditions on nekton density contrast were investigated. The sound speed contrast relative to seawater varied within and among taxa for fish flesh (0.986-1.027) and Humboldt squid mantle and braincase (0.937-1.028). Material properties in this study are similar to values from previous studies on species with similar life histories. In general, the sound speed and density of soft body parts of fish and squid were 1%-3% and 1%-6%, respectively, greater than the surrounding seawater. Hard parts of the squid were significantly more dense (6%-46%) than seawater. The material properties reported here can be used to improve target strength estimates from acoustic scattering models, which could increase the accuracy of biomass estimates from acoustic surveys for these nekton.

Squid rocket science: How squid launch into air

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Dor, Ron; Stewart, Julia; Gilly, William; Payne, John; Borges, Teresa Cerveira; Thys, Tierney

2013-10-01

Squid not only swim, they can also fly like rockets, accelerating through the air by forcefully expelling water out of their mantles. Using available lab and field data from four squid species, Sthenoteuthis pteropus, Dosidicus gigas, Illex illecebrosus and Loligo opalescens, including sixteen remarkable photographs of flying S. pteropus off the coast of Brazil, we compared the cost of transport in both water and air and discussed methods of maximizing power output through funnel and mantle constriction. Additionally we found that fin flaps develop at approximately the same size range as flight behaviors in these squids, consistent with previous hypotheses that flaps could function as ailerons whilst aloft. S. pteropus acceleration in air (265 body lengths [BL]/s2; 24.5m/s2) was found to exceed that in water (79BL/s2) three-fold based on estimated mantle length from still photos. Velocities in air (37BL/s; 3.4m/s) exceed those in water (11BL/s) almost four-fold. Given the obvious advantages of this extreme mode of transport, squid flight may in fact be more common than previously thought and potentially employed to reduce migration cost in addition to predation avoidance. Clearly squid flight, the role of fin flaps and funnel, and the energetic benefits are worthy of extended investigation.

Identification of four squid species by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

PubMed

Ye, Jian; Feng, Junli; Liu, Shasha; Zhang, Yanping; Jiang, Xiaona; Dai, Zhiyuan

2016-02-01

Squids are distributed worldwide, including many species of commercial importance, and they are often made into varieties of flavor foods. The rapid identification methods for squid species especially their processed products, however, have not been well developed. In this study, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) systems based on specific primers and TaqMan probes have been established for rapid and accurate identification of four common squid species (Ommastrephes bartramii, Dosidicus gigas, Illex argentinus, Todarodes pacificus) in Chinese domestic market. After analyzing mitochondrial genes reported in GenBank, the mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cytb) gene was selected for O. bartramii detection, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene for D. gigas and T. Pacificus detection, ATPase subunit 6 (ATPase 6) gene for I. Argentinus detection, and 12S ribosomal RNA (12S rDNA) gene for designing Ommastrephidae-specific primers and probe. As a result, all the TaqMan systems are of good performance, and efficiency of each reaction was calculated by making standard curves. This method could detect target species either in single or mixed squid specimen, and it was applied to identify 12 squid processed products successfully. Thus, it would play an important role in fulfilling labeling regulations and squid fishery control. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Multi-Sensor Systems Development for UXO Detection and Discrimination: Hand-Held Dual Magnetic/Electromagnetic Induction Sensor

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-04-01

5 Fluxgate magnetometer ... magnetometer into digital format, and transmitted as a single serial data string to log the Cs and fluxgate magnetometer data. After procurement...Hardware The system hardware comprises an EMI sensor, Cs vapor magnetometer , fluxgate magnetometer , hand-held data acquisition computer, integrated

Microelectromechanical systems for experimental physics and optical telecommunications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aksyuk, Vladimir Anatolyevich

1999-12-01

Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) are an emerging technology, which, when applied to the field of physical sensors, offers not only an obvious advantage of being small and cheap, but more importantly, provides some unique experimental opportunities. These are based on the way physical properties scale with decreasing size. This thesis discusses these basic principles and corresponding advantages and limitations of MEMS technology and presents several experiments in which micromachines are used to do physical measurements that could not be done before. Three types of micromechanical magnetometers are demonstrated. When compared to the state of the art traditional techniques they show greater sensitivity, faster response and can be applied over a wider range of experimental conditions. The high-Q micromechanical torsional oscillator magnetometer is used to observe mesoscopic vortex physics, including single flux lines penetrating into a type-II superconductor just above the first critical field. The Faraday balance ``Trampoline'' magnetometer combines high sensitivity, high bandwidth and can be operated in a wide temperature range. It is used in both high pulsed magnetic fields to record deHaas-vanAlphen oscillations and in DC magnetic fields for magnetization measurements at temperatures down to 100mK. The high sensitivity DC torque magnetometer offers yet higher sensitivity and can be used for a variety of magnetization measurements. Several other MEMS devices for physics and telecommunications applications are presented, including a micromachined near field scanning optical microscope, MEMS fiberoptic switches and large-area large-angle scanners. They provide examples of complex functionality that can be achieved with micromechanics by combining sensors with inherently low-power electrostatic actuators. The optically powered optical power limiter demonstrates the possibility of operating MEMS with optical rather than electrical power.

Complete Tri-Axis Magnetometer Calibration with a Gyro Auxiliary

PubMed Central

Yang, Deng; You, Zheng; Li, Bin; Duan, Wenrui; Yuan, Binwen

2017-01-01

Magnetometers combined with inertial sensors are widely used for orientation estimation, and calibrations are necessary to achieve high accuracy. This paper presents a complete tri-axis magnetometer calibration algorithm with a gyro auxiliary. The magnetic distortions and sensor errors, including the misalignment error between the magnetometer and assembled platform, are compensated after calibration. With the gyro auxiliary, the magnetometer linear interpolation outputs are calculated, and the error parameters are evaluated under linear operations of magnetometer interpolation outputs. The simulation and experiment are performed to illustrate the efficiency of the algorithm. After calibration, the heading errors calculated by magnetometers are reduced to 0.5° (1σ). This calibration algorithm can also be applied to tri-axis accelerometers whose error model is similar to tri-axis magnetometers. PMID:28587115

Investigation of the Vortex States of Sr2RuO4-Ru Eutectic Microplates Using DC-SQUIDs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakuma, Daisuke; Nago, Yusuke; Ishiguro, Ryosuke; Kashiwaya, Satoshi; Nomura, Shintaro; Kono, Kimitoshi; Maeno, Yoshiteru; Takayanagi, Hideaki

2017-11-01

We investigated the magnetic properties of a Sr2RuO4-Ru eutectic microplate containing a single Ru-inclusion using micrometer-sized DC-SQUIDs (direct-current superconducting quantum interference devices). A phase frustration at the interface between chiral p-wave superconducting Sr2RuO4 and s-wave superconducting Ru is expected to cause novel magnetic vortex states such as the spontaneous Ru-center vortex under zero magnetic field [as reported by H. Kaneyasu and M. Sigrist, J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 79, 053706 (2010)]. Our experimental results show no positive evidence for such a spontaneous vortex state. However, in an applied field, an abrupt change in the magnetic flux distribution was observed at a superconducting transition of Ru. The flux distribution is clarified by comparing our experimental results with electromagnetic field simulations in our sample geometry. We discuss the transition of the vortex states and the superconducting coupling at the Sr2RuO4/Ru interface.

Synthesis, characterization, and growth mechanism of motifs of ultrathin cobalt-substituted NaFeSi 2O 6 nanowires

DOE PAGES

Lewis, Crystal S.; Moronta, Dominic; Terban, Maxwell W.; ...

2017-12-12

In this report, we have synthesized and structurally characterized nanowire bundles of cobalt-substituted pyroxenes, similar to the crystal structure of aegirine (i.e. Co-substituted XYSi 2O 6 with X and Y referring to metallic elements such as but not limited to Co, Na, and Fe), using a readily scalable hydrothermal technique. We then propose a growth mechanism for these bundles, based on detailed time and temperature dependent studies as well as complementary control experiments, particularly reactions in the absence of either 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) or sodium hydroxide (NaOH), via a transmission electron microscopy visualization study. Moreover, these nanowire bundles were probed formore » their magnetic properties and chemical composition using superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) measurements, X-ray diffraction, and pair distribution function analysis, respectively. Specifically, SQUID measurement observations highlighted that these bundles evince (i) unique and interesting super-paramagnetic properties at 5 K that are consistent with that of our previously published ~2 nm ultra-small nanoparticles as well as (ii) paramagnetic behavior at 300 K.« less

Correcting Concomitant Gradient Distortion in Microtesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Myers, Whittier

2005-03-01

Progress in ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using an untuned gradiometer coupled to a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) has resulted in three-dimensional images with an in-plane resolution of 2 mm. Protons in samples up to 80 mm in size were prepolarized in a 100 mT field, manipulated by ˜100 μT/m gradients for image encoding, and detected by the SQUID in the ˜65 μT precession field. Maxwell's equations prohibit a unidirectional magnetic field gradient. While the additional concomitant gradients can be neglected in high-field MRI, they distort high-resolution images of large samples taken in microtesla precession fields. We propose two methods to mitigate such distortion: raising the precession field during image encoding, and software post-processing. Both approaches are demonstrated using computer simulations and MRI images. Simulations show that the combination of these techniques can correct the concomitant gradient distortion present in a 4-mm resolution image of an object the size of a human brain with a precession field of 50 μT. Supported by USDOE.

Experiments with d-wave Superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mannhart, J.; Hilgenkamp, H.; Hammerl, G.; Schneider, C. W.

2003-10-01

The predominant dx2-y2-wave pairing-symmetry of most high-Tc, superconductors provides the opportunity to fabricate Josephson junction circuits in which part of the junctions are biased by a phase difference of the superconducting order parameter of π. To explore the road to such π-electronics, we have fabricated and studied all-high-Tc dc superconducting quantum interference devices (dc SQUIDs) realized with thin film technology, of which the Josephson junctions consist of one standard junction and one junction with a π-phase shift. These π-SQUIDs provide clear evidence of the dx2-y2-wave symmetry of the order parameter, the amount of complex admixtures of other symmetry components being undetectably small. This seems to contradict other experiments, the results of which have been presented as evidence for an s-wave order parameter or for complex admixtures. Possible solutions to resolve this apparent contradiction are presented. In particular it is pointed out that even in the bulk of a superconductor the order parameter symmetry (the admixture of various symmetry components) may be spatially dependent.

Functional Description of Read-out Electronics for Time-Domain Multiplexed Bolometers for Millimeter and Sub-millimeter Astronomy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Battistelli, E. S.; Amiri, M.; Burger, B.; Halpern, M.; Knotek, S.; Ellis, M.; Gao, X.; Kelly, D.; Macintosh, M.; Irwin, K.; Reintsema, C.

2008-05-01

We have developed multi-channel electronics (MCE) which work in concert with time-domain multiplexors developed at NIST, to control and read signals from large format bolometer arrays of superconducting transition edge sensors (TESs). These electronics were developed as part of the Submillimeter Common-User Bolometer Array-2 (SCUBA2 ) camera, but are now used in several other instruments. The main advantages of these electronics compared to earlier versions is that they are multi-channel, fully programmable, suited for remote operations and provide a clean geometry, with no electrical cabling outside of the Faraday cage formed by the cryostat and the electronics chassis. The MCE is used to determine the optimal operating points for the TES and the superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) amplifiers autonomously. During observation, the MCE execute a running PID-servo and apply to each first stage SQUID a feedback signal necessary to keep the system in a linear regime at optimal gain. The feedback and error signals from a ˜1000-pixel array can be written to hard drive at up to 2 kHz.

Scanning SQUID microscopy of a ferromanganese crust from the northwestern Pacific: Submillimeter scale magnetostratigraphy as a new tool for age determination and mapping of environmental magnetic parameters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noguchi, A.; Oda, H.; Yamamoto, Y.; Usui, A.; Sato, M.; Kawai, J.

2017-06-01

Ferromanganese crusts record long-term deep-sea environmental changes. Thus, providing their reliable high-resolution age models is important. We applied a magnetostratigraphic technique to estimate the growth rate of a ferromanganese crust using scanning SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) microscope (SSM). SSM is designed to map the magnetic field across thin sections with submillimeter resolution. The crust sample was taken from the Takuyo-Daigo Seamount, northwestern Pacific, and recorded a limited supply of dust and sediment from continents. After drift correction and removal of spike noises, the magnetic field values were stacked within the areas of high signal-to-noise ratios. By correlating the obtained profiles with a standard geomagnetic polarity timescale, we obtained an average growth rate of 3.37 ± 0.06 mm/Ma, which is consistent with that obtained by 10Be/9Be geochronology (2.93 ± 0.15 mm/Ma). S ratio mapping shows low values after 3 Ma, associated with voids between columnar structures.

Synthesis, characterization, and growth mechanism of motifs of ultrathin cobalt-substituted NaFeSi 2O 6 nanowires

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lewis, Crystal S.; Moronta, Dominic; Terban, Maxwell W.

In this report, we have synthesized and structurally characterized nanowire bundles of cobalt-substituted pyroxenes, similar to the crystal structure of aegirine (i.e. Co-substituted XYSi 2O 6 with X and Y referring to metallic elements such as but not limited to Co, Na, and Fe), using a readily scalable hydrothermal technique. We then propose a growth mechanism for these bundles, based on detailed time and temperature dependent studies as well as complementary control experiments, particularly reactions in the absence of either 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) or sodium hydroxide (NaOH), via a transmission electron microscopy visualization study. Moreover, these nanowire bundles were probed formore » their magnetic properties and chemical composition using superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) measurements, X-ray diffraction, and pair distribution function analysis, respectively. Specifically, SQUID measurement observations highlighted that these bundles evince (i) unique and interesting super-paramagnetic properties at 5 K that are consistent with that of our previously published ~2 nm ultra-small nanoparticles as well as (ii) paramagnetic behavior at 300 K.« less

Long baseline planar superconducting gradiometer for biomagnetic imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Granata, C.; Vettoliere, A.; Nappi, C.; Lisitskiy, M.; Russo, M.

2009-07-01

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 μΦ0/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.

Opportunistic acoustic recordings of (potential) orangeback flying squid Sthenoteuthis pteropus in the Central Eastern Atlantic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peña, Marian; Villanueva, Roger; Escánez, Alejandro; Ariza, Alejandro

2018-03-01

Squids are fast swimmers that are difficult to catch by nets and to record with echosounders in the open ocean. A rare detection of orangeback flying squid Sthenoteuthis pteropus in the Central Eastern Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Senegal was accomplished during the MAFIA oceanographic survey carried out between Brazil and the Canary Islands in April 2015. Although net sampling did not yield any subadult or adult individuals, dozens were visually detected from the vessel jumping out of the water at night and displaying their characteristic dorsal photophore patch. A few squids were caught with fishing lines and identified at the species level. The acoustic echograms revealed distinctive previously unobserved acoustic echotraces that seemed to be caused by those squids, which were the only new species detected at that station (over a bottom depth ranging from 4010 to 5215 m, between 10° 45‧ N 22° 41‧ W and 10° 53‧ N 22° 40‧ W). The acoustic response and swimming behaviour shown by those echotraces reinforced this hypothesis. The (potentially) squid recordings dove rapidly (0.19 m/s to 0.48 m/s) from around 10 m below the mesopelagic fish layer, which had migrated to the subsurface at night (35 m depth), to depths of 70-95 m, and swam upward, apparently attacking fish from below. The morning squid migration to deeper waters (250-300 m) was also recorded acoustically. Downward movements of squid swimming at speeds of 0.22 m/s were calculated from the echogram, while the mesopelagic migrating fish swam at 0.27 m/s reaching 250 m depth. Sv120 - Sv38 averaged 2.7 ± 3.2 dB for the squid echotraces while the mesopelagic layer showed values of -8.8 ± 0.9 dB. These ranges agreed with values in the literature and from theoretical models. This study provides more insight into the migrating behaviour of oceanic squids, a species group that is poorly represented in the acoustic literature due to challenges in studying them.