A superconducting quantum magnetometer based on magnetic flux-driven modulation of the density of states of a proximized metallic nanowire is theoretically analyzed. With optimized geometrical and material parameters transfer functions up to a few mV$/{\ensuremath{\Phi}}_{0}$ and intrinsic flux noise $\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}9}{\ensuremath{\Phi}}_{0}/\sqrt{\text{Hz}}$ below 1 K are achievable. The opportunity to access single-spin detection joined with limited dissipation (of the order of $\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}14}$ W) make this magnetometer interesting for the investigation of the switching dynamics of molecules or individual magnetic nanoparticles.
A superconducting quantum magnetometer based on magnetic flux-driven modulation of the density of states of a proximized metallic nanowire is theoretically analyzed. With optimized geometrical and material parameters transfer functions up to a few mV/\ensuremathΦ0 and intrinsic flux noise \ensuremath∼10\ensuremath−9\ensuremathΦ0/Hz below 1 K are achievable. The opportunity to access single-spin detection joined with limited dissipation (of the order of \ensuremath∼10\ensuremath−14 W) make this magnetometer interesting for the investigation of the switching dynamics of molecules or individual magnetic nanoparticles.
A magnetometer based on the quantum properties of a superconducting flux qubit is proposed. The main advantage of this device is that its sensitivity can be below the so-called “standard quantum limit” (for an oscillator this is half of the Plank constant). Moreover its transfer functions relative to the measured flux can be made to be about 10 mV/Φ 0 , which is an order of magnitude more than the best value for a conventional DC SQUIDs with a direct readout. We analyze here the voltage-to-flux, the phase-to-flux transfer functions and the main noise sources. We show that the experimental characteristics of a flux qubit, obtained in recent experiments, allow the use of a flux qubit as magnetometer with energy resolution close to the Planck constant.
A superconducting condensate is characterized by the emergence of macroscopic and collective order, established between its constituent electrons. The degree of correlation at a given spatial position is a complex scalar: it is characterized both by an amplitude (proportional to the minimal energy to generate a fundamental excitation) and a complex phase. Through its gradient, the latter enables the flow of the condensate, demonstrating the quantum fingerprint of superconductivity. Superconductors exhibit strong coupling to electromagnetic fields, so that phase-dependent dissipationless transport through “weak link” circuital elements is easily manipulated by applying voltage or magnetic flux bias to superconducting terminals and loops, respectively. For these reasons, superconducting electronics is nowadays a core technology to enable robust access and manipulation of the fundamental degrees of freedom in quantum devices, from ultrasensitive electromagnetic sensors to superconducting qubits. In this work, we explore different designs of micro-magnetometers based on superconducting interferometers. Differently from conventional designs based on Superconductor, Insulator, Superconductor (SIS) tunnel junctions, here the core elements are nanoscale diffusive metal wires acting as superconducting weak links. These consist in circuital dishomogeneities that can be fabricated over scales much smaller than typical superconductor coherence lengths, typically yielding unique response properties. On the other hand, their intrinsic transparency is usually associated with strong supercurrent concentration, which can severely limit their practicality due to superconducting depairing and thermal-driven hysteresis upon switching to the dissipative regime. In this thesis we demonstrate how a judicious use of nanofabricated designs makes it possible to counter these drawbacks and achieve complete phase polarization in interferometers based on diffusive weak links. The resulting micro-magnetometers are characterized by extremely high magnetic responsivity.
There is currently fundamental and technological interest in measuring and manipulating nanoscale magnets, particularly in the quantum coherent regime. To observe the dynamics of such systems one 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 superconducting quantum interference device (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, which improves flux sensitivity at the expense of bandwidth. Depending on the drive parameters, the device performance ranges from an effective flux noise of 0.29 $\ensuremath{\mu}{\ensuremath{\Phi}}_{0}$Hz${}^{\ensuremath{-}1/2}$ and 20 MHz of signal bandwidth to a noise of 0.14 $\ensuremath{\mu}{\ensuremath{\Phi}}_{0}$Hz${}^{\ensuremath{-}1/2}$ and a bandwidth of 0.6 MHz. These results are in excellent agreement with our theoretical model.
In quantum technology, several aspects of superconductivity such as proximity effect have studied to develop a wide range of attractive applications at sub-kelvin temperatures. A new type of interferometer based on the proximity effect, taking place around transparent interfaces between normal- and superconducting metals, the Superconducting Quantum Interference Proximity Transistor (SQUIPT), relies on the phase dependence of the density of states in the proximized weak link. The SQUIPT devices offer the possibility to realize sensitive low-dissipation magnetometers compared to conventional DC SQUIDs. In this thesis, we investigate the development of the sensitive SQUIPT magnetometers. \n \nThe first part of the thesis covers the characterization of non-hysteretic SQUIPTs with enhanced responsivity. In these structures, we demonstrate magnetic flux modulation of the device characteristics displaying no hysteresis at low temperatures by simply increasing the Josephson inductance of the weak link compared to self-inductance of the superconducting loop in the device. As a consequence, improvement in magnetic field responsivity is achievable. \n \nWe then turn to the implementation of SQUIPT devices based on different fabrication methods and superconductor materials for improving the device performance. In this aspect, we fabricate and characterize niobium-based SNS devices utilizing two separate lithography and deposition steps with strong Ar ion cleaning in between. We further investigate a prototype hybrid SQUIPT device based on an Nb-Cu-Nb SNS junction with a conventional Al probe in tunnel junction. \n \nIn the third part of the thesis, we present the flux noise characterization of a SQUIPT device using simultaneous measurement of DC transport properties and shot noise. To probe the noise, we use a cryogenic amplifier operating at frequencies in the range of a few MHz. We adapt this technique for flux noise measurements in SQUIPTs, adaptable also to low-temperature shot noise measurements of other nonlinear devices with high impedance. In order to investigate flux noise of SQUIPTs, we develop a model allowing one to optimize the figures of merit of the magnetometers such as the noise-equivalent flux.
In quantum technology, several aspects of superconductivity such as proximity effect have studied to develop a wide range of attractive applications at sub-kelvin temperatures. A new type of interferometer based on the proximity effect, taking place around transparent interfaces between normal- and superconducting metals, the Superconducting Quantum Interference Proximity Transistor (SQUIPT), relies on the phase dependence of the density of states in the proximized weak link. The SQUIPT devices offer the possibility to realize sensitive low-dissipation magnetometers compared to conventional DC SQUIDs. In this thesis, we investigate the development of the sensitive SQUIPT magnetometers.
The first part of the thesis covers the characterization of non-hysteretic SQUIPTs with enhanced responsivity. In these structures, we demonstrate magnetic flux modulation of the device characteristics displaying no hysteresis at low temperatures by simply increasing the Josephson inductance of the weak link compared to self-inductance of the superconducting loop in the device. As a consequence, improvement in magnetic field responsivity is achievable.
We then turn to the implementation of SQUIPT devices based on different fabrication methods and superconductor materials for improving the device performance. In this aspect, we fabricate and characterize niobium-based SNS devices utilizing two separate lithography and deposition steps with strong Ar ion cleaning in between. We further investigate a prototype hybrid SQUIPT device based on an Nb-Cu-Nb SNS junction with a conventional Al probe in tunnel junction.
In the third part of the thesis, we present the flux noise characterization of a SQUIPT device using simultaneous measurement of DC transport properties and shot noise. To probe the noise, we use a cryogenic amplifier operating at frequencies in the range of a few MHz. We adapt this technique for flux noise measurements in SQUIPTs, adaptable also to low-temperature shot noise measurements of other nonlinear devices with high impedance. In order to investigate flux noise of SQUIPTs, we develop a model allowing one to optimize the figures of merit of the magnetometers such as the noise-equivalent flux.
Motivated by the recent experimental realization of a quantum interference transistor based on the superconducting proximity effect, we here demonstrate that the inclusion of a textured ferromagnet both strongly enhances the flux sensitivity of such a device and additionally allows for singlet-triplet switching by tuning a bias voltage. This functionality makes explicit use of the induced spin-triplet correlations due to the magnetic texture. Whereas the existence of such triplet correlations is well known, our finding demonstrates how spin-triplet superconductivity may be utilized for concrete technology, namely, to improve the functionality of ultrasensitive magnetometers.