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arXiv:2012.07559 · IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity

Dual On-Chip SQUID Measurement Protocol for Flux Detection in Large Magnetic Fields

Josiah Cochran, Giovanni Franco-Rivera, Denghui Zhang, Lei Chen, Zhen Wang, I. Chiorescu

Published Jun 21, 2021• 1 citation
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Sensitive magnetometers that can operate in high magnetic fields are essential for detecting magnetic resonance signals originating from small ensembles of quantum spins. Such devices have potential applications in quantum technologies, in particular quantum computing. We present a novel experimental setup implementing a differential flux measurement using two Direct-Current Superconducting QUantum Interference Device (DC-SQUID) magnetometers. The differential measurement allows for cancellation of background flux signals while enhancing sample signal. The developed protocol uses pulsed readout, which minimizes on-chip heating since sub-Kelvin temperatures are needed to preserve quantum spin coherence. Results of a proof of concept experiment are shown as well.

DOI
10.1109/tasc.2021.3090758

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Sensitive magnetometers that can operate in high magnetic fields are essential for detecting magnetic resonance signals originating from small ensembles of quantum spins. Such devices have potential applications in quantum technologies, in particular quantum computing. We present a novel experimental setup implementing a differential flux measurement using two Direct-Current Superconducting QUantum Interference Device (DC-SQUID) magnetometers. The differential measurement allows for cancellation of background flux signals while enhancing sample signal. The developed protocol uses pulsed readout, which minimizes on-chip heating since sub-Kelvin temperatures are needed to preserve quantum spin coherence. Results of a proof of concept experiment are shown as well.
Superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) are among the most sensitive detectors for out-of-plane magnetic field components. However, due to their periodic response with short modulation period M=1Φ0M = 1 Φ_0M=1Φ0​, determined by the magnetic flux quantum Φ0≈2.068×10−15 WbΦ_0 \approx 2.068\times 10^{-15}\,\mathrm{Wb}Φ0​≈2.068×10−15Wb, it is difficult to infer the value of the magnetic flux unambiguously, especially in case the magnetic flux enclosed in the SQUID loop changes by many flux quanta. Here, we demonstrate that by introducing a second degree of freedom in the form of a second SQUID, we substantially enhance the modulation period MMM of our device without sacrificing sensitivity. As a proof of concept, we implement our idea by embedding two asymmetric direct current SQUIDs into a common tank circuit. By measuring the reflection coefficient of the device, we extract the two lowest energy eigenfrequencies as a function of the external magnetic flux created by a superconducting field coil, from which we experimentally deduce a modulation period M≥15Φ0M \geq 15 Φ_0M≥15Φ0​, as well as the magnetic offset-field B0=22 nTB_0 = 22\,\mathrm{nT}B0​=22nT present in our experiment.
An integrated magnetic nanosensor based on a niobium dc SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) for nanoscale applications is presented. The sensor, having a washer shape with a hole of 200 nm and two Josephson-Dayem nanobridges of 80 nm × 100 nm, consists of a Nb(30 nm)/Al(30 nm) bilayer patterned by electron beam lithography (EBL) and shaped by lift-off and reactive ion etch (RIE) processes. The presence of the niobium coils, integrated on-chip and tightly coupled to the SQUID, allows us to easily excite the sensor in order to get the voltage-flux characteristics and to flux bias the SQUID at its optimal point. The measurements were performed at liquid helium temperature. A voltage swing of 75 µV and a maximum voltage-flux transfer coefficient (responsivity) as high as 1 mV/Φ(0) were directly measured from the voltage-flux characteristic. The noise measurements were performed in open loop mode, biasing the SQUID with a dc magnetic flux at its maximum responsivity point and using direct-coupled low-noise readout electronics. A white magnetic flux noise spectral density as low as 2.5 μΦ(0) Hz(-1/2) was achieved, corresponding to a magnetization or spin sensitivity in units of the Bohr magneton of 100 spin Hz(-1/2). Possible applications of this nanosensor can be envisaged in magnetic detection of nanoparticles and small clusters of atoms and molecules, in the measurement of nanoobject magnetization, and in quantum computing.
We propose a novel device, based on a series of dc SQUIDs (direct current Superconducting QUantum Interference Devices), each one with different sensitive area, that can be used to perform absolute measurements of magnetic field. With this array, we overcome the limit of a single dc SQUID of being sensitive only to variations of the linked magnetic flux. The overall voltage-flux characteristic of our device, in fact, has a non-periodic shape that allows a clear identification of the point with zero magnetic field. We present a discussion of the working principle and of the main characteristics, which have been partially tested on a prototype.
The quantum-technology revolution is reshaping computing, sensing, and communication. In magnetometry, recent advances leverage precise control of spin qubits and color centers in solid-state crystals for mesoscopic-scale sensing. Yet at very low temperatures, superconducting sensing technology remains unrivaled because of its non-invasiveness and higher sensitivity. Here we describe a class of superconducting sensors that offers low loss and quantum non-demolition measurement characteristics. We designed and fabricated a superconducting flux-tunable resonator (tRes) in a superconducting chip foundry and matured it to a level that combines the speed of an inductor-capacitor circuit with the flux sensitivity of a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) to perform magnetometry at milli-kelvin temperature to investigate targets. We introduce its fundamental functionality readily at MHz magnetic sampling rate, showcase two measurement modalities, and investigate three circuits with gradually increasing complexity to extract target-specific information. The combination of high sensitivity and fast readout characteristics make tRes an attractive and versatile magnetometer.
Precise detection of spin resonance is of paramount importance to achieve coherent spin control in quantum computing. We present a setup for spin resonance measurements, which uses a dc-SQUID flux detector coupled to an antenna from a coplanar waveguide. The SQUID and the waveguide are fabricated from a 20 nm Nb thin film, allowing high magnetic field operation with the field applied parallel to the chip. We observe a resonance signal between the first and third excited states of Gd spins S = 7/2 in a CaWO4 crystal, relevant for state control in multi-level systems.
Pulsed readout of Direct Current (DC) Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) is crucial for experiments which need to be performed at millikelvin temperatures, such as the readout of superconducting and electron spin based qubits. Pulsed readout algorithms used in these experiments are usually specific to the experimental setup and require some optimization. We present a circuit that emulates the behavior of a DC-SQUID in order to allow the development and evaluation of pulsed readout algorithms at room temperature without the need of a running dilution refrigerator. This novel circuit also constitutes a low cost device which can be used to teach the principles of a DC-SQUID in courses aimed at training the next generation of quantum engineers.