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arXiv:1606.05682 · Superconductor Science and Technology

Multi-terminal multi-junction dc SQUID for nanoscale magnetometry

Alexander Y. Meltzer, Aviram Uri, Eli Zeldov

Published Sep 26, 2016• 8 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Abstract Miniaturization of superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) is of major importance for the development of sensitive scanning nanoscale magnetometry tools. The high sensitivity of nanoSQUIDs is restricted, however, to only particular periodic values of the applied magnetic field, making accurate measurements at intermediate values of the field impossible. We present a theoretical investigation of a multi-terminal, multi-junction SQUID (mSQUID) that lifts this limitation by providing electrical means for a continuous shift of the quantum interference pattern with respect to the applied field. Analysis of 4-terminal, 4-junction and 3-terminal, 3-junction mSQUIDs shows that operation at maximum sensitivity can be obtained at any value of the magnetic field by applying control current to the extra terminals. The model describes the variation and the shift of the interference pattern as a function of the control currents, junction asymmetries, and the mSQUID inductance. The mSQUID is also shown to provide a direct measurement of the current–phase relations of superconducting junctions. The derived model provides a quantitative description of the recently developed multi-terminal nanoSQUID-on-tip.

DOI
10.1088/0953-2048/29/11/114001

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Abstract Miniaturization of superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) is of major importance for the development of sensitive scanning nanoscale magnetometry tools. The high sensitivity of nanoSQUIDs is restricted, however, to only particular periodic values of the applied magnetic field, making accurate measurements at intermediate values of the field impossible. We present a theoretical investigation of a multi-terminal, multi-junction SQUID (mSQUID) that lifts this limitation by providing electrical means for a continuous shift of the quantum interference pattern with respect to the applied field. Analysis of 4-terminal, 4-junction and 3-terminal, 3-junction mSQUIDs shows that operation at maximum sensitivity can be obtained at any value of the magnetic field by applying control current to the extra terminals. The model describes the variation and the shift of the interference pattern as a function of the control currents, junction asymmetries, and the mSQUID inductance. The mSQUID is also shown to provide a direct measurement of the current–phase relations of superconducting junctions. The derived model provides a quantitative description of the recently developed multi-terminal nanoSQUID-on-tip.
Abstract The progressive miniaturization of superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) used, e.g. for magnetic imaging on the nanoscale or for the detection of the magnetic states of individual magnetic nanoparticles causes increasing problems in realizing a proper flux-bias scheme for reading out the device. To overcome the problem, a multi-terminal, multi-junction layout has been proposed and realized recently for the SQUID-on-tip configuration, which uses constriction-type Josephson junctions (JJ). This geometry is also interesting for SQUIDs based on overdamped superconductor—normal metal—superconductor (SNS) JJ. We fabricated four-terminal, four-junction SQUIDs based on a trilayer Nb/HfTi/Nb process and study their static and dynamic transport properties in close comparison with numerical simulations based on the resistively and capacitively shunted junction model. Simulations and measurements are in very good agreement. However, there are large differences to the transport properties of conventional two-junction SQUIDs, including unusual phase-locked and chaotic dynamic states which we describe in detail. We further extract the current-phase relation of our SNS junctions, which turns out to be purely sinusoidal within the experimental error bars.
Nanoscale superconducting quantum interference devices (nano-SQUIDS) where the weak links are made from nanobridges, i.e., nanobridge SQUIDs (NBSs), are one of the most sensitive magnetometers for nanoscale magnetometry. Because of very strong nonlinearity in the nanobridge-electrode joints, the applied magnetic flux (${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Phi}}}_{a}$)--critical current (Ic{I}_{c}Ic​) characteristics of NBSs differ very significantly from conventional tunnel-junction SQUIDs, especially when the nanobridges are long and/or the screening parameter is large. However, in most of the theoretical descriptions, NBSs have been treated as the conventional tunnel-junction SQUIDs, which are based on the dc Josephson effect. Here, I present a model demonstrating that for long nanobridges and/or large screening parameters the ${I}_{c}({\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Phi}}}_{a})$ of a NBS can be explained by merely considering the fluxoid quantization in the NBS loop and the energy of the NBS; it is not necessary to take the Josephson effect into consideration. I also demonstrate that using the model, one can derive useful expressions such as the modulation depth and transfer function. I discuss the role of the kinetic inductance fraction ($\ensuremath{\kappa}$) in determining ${I}_{c}({\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Phi}}}_{a})$. I compare the predictions of the present model with the experimental data already published by several groups.
Abstract The tunability in Josephson junctions is foundational to the superconducting classical and quantum applications. Here, we demonstrate the local manipulation of supercurrent realized in a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) with two Nb/TiO x /Nb Josephson junctions that is biased at the TiO x layer. Our measurements indicate that the multi-port device allows for an easy and in situ tunability of the supercurrent. The control mechanism can be finely explained by simple yet valid theoretical methods, which take an effective electronic temperature across the SQUID and the self inductive magnetic flux into account. Furthermore, we show that the phase difference and kinetic inductance of this device can be tuned locally via the injection current. Thus, the device provides perspective for several superconducting electronics such as tunable superconducting circuits, sensitive magnetometry, and fast digital elements.
We investigate electric transport and noise properties of microstrip-type submicron direct current superconducting quantum interference devices (dc SQUIDs) based on Nb thin films and overdamped Josephson junctions with a HfTi barrier. The SQUIDs were designed for optimal spin sensitivity Sμ1/2 upon operation in intermediate magnetic fields B (tens of mT), applied perpendicular to the substrate plane. Our, so far, best SQUID can be continuously operated in fields up to B≈±50 mT with rms flux noise SΦ,w1/2≤250 nΦ0/Hz1/2 in the white noise regime and spin sensitivity Sμ1/2≤29 μB/Hz1/2. Furthermore, we demonstrate operation in B = 0.5 T with high sensitivity in flux SΦ,w1/2≈680 nΦ0/Hz1/2 and in electron spin Sμ1/2≈79 μB/Hz1/2. We discuss strategies to further improve the nanoSQUID performance.
Nanoscale Superconducting QUantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) have spin sensitivities approaching that required to detect the flip of a single spin in close proximity. There is considerable interest in developing them for measuring the properties of small spin populations in magnetic systems. It is desirable that such measurements can be realised at sub-kelvin temperatures thereby allowing the study of magnetic systems that undergo phase changes at such temperatures. However, most nanoscale SQUIDs use nanobridges as the Josephson elements which limits the operating range to temperatures close to the transition temperature of the device. Well below this, the current-phase relation can become non-sinusoidal, and hot spots arising from the large critical current lead to hysteretic I-V characteristics. To extend the temperature range downwards, we have developed a range of nanoSQUIDs fabricated from alternative materials with lower transition temperatures including Ti/Au and Al/Ag bilayers patterned using lift-off and e-beam lithography (EBL). We report on their I-V characteristics, noise performance and behaviour in applied magnetic fields at temperatures down to 60 mK. We discuss theoretical analysis and computer modelling of the heat flow in the nanobridge structure, and consider the effects of bank geometry and kinetic inductance on the overall device performance. Finally, we present measurements of several magnetic systems: control lines, superconducting islands and ground planes and discuss the feasibility of magnetic measurements of novel materials of interest, including the heterointerface between lanthanium aluminate and strontium titanate.
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Planar Josephson junctions (JJs) based on InSb nanoflags have recently emerged as an intriguing platform in superconducting electronics. The knowledge of the current-phase relationship (CPR) of such hybrid junctions is crucial for their applications. This letter presents the fabrication and investigation of superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) employing InSb nanoflag JJs. The observed features are well reproduced through numerical simulations. By measuring interference patterns in both symmetric and asymmetric SQUID configurations, we extract unprecedented details of the junctions’ CPRs. Our results demonstrate the skewness of the CPR, showing significant contributions from higher harmonics. We explore the magnetic field response of the devices across a wide range of fields (±30 mT). Finally, we assess the flux-to-voltage sensitivity of the SQUIDs to evaluate their performance as magnetometers, identifying a magnetic flux noise of S Φ 1 / 2 = 4.4 × 1 0 − 6 ⁡ Φ 0 / √ H z . These results showcase potential applications in nanoscale magnetometry.