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arXiv:2108.11448 · Applied Physics Letters

SQUID-based interferometric accelerometer

Ilia Khomchenko, Patrick Navez, Henni Ouerdane

Published Oct 10, 2022• 5 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Optics and, more recently, coherent matter waves enabled inertial sensors, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, to reach high levels of resolution and sensitivity. As these technologies rest on physical phenomena that require particular setups and working conditions, e.g., kilometers of optical fibers or ultralow temperatures, their application range is limited because of lack of portability. Here, we propose a path forward considering a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) to detect and measure acceleration by using electronic interferometry. The basic idea is not to use a SQUID as a magnetometer in acceleration measurement setups, but as an accelerometer. The operation of such an accelerometer rests on the ability of the Cooper pairs to record their wave function phase change, as the device is subjected either to a transverse acceleration or vibrations. We provide numerical evidence for the feasibility of SQUID-based accelerometers that can be used for transverse acceleration and oscillatory motion measurement.

DOI
10.1063/5.0126680

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Optics and, more recently, coherent matter waves enabled inertial sensors, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, to reach high levels of resolution and sensitivity. As these technologies rest on physical phenomena that require particular setups and working conditions, e.g., kilometers of optical fibers or ultralow temperatures, their application range is limited because of lack of portability. Here, we propose a path forward considering a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) to detect and measure acceleration by using electronic interferometry. The basic idea is not to use a SQUID as a magnetometer in acceleration measurement setups, but as an accelerometer. The operation of such an accelerometer rests on the ability of the Cooper pairs to record their wave function phase change, as the device is subjected either to a transverse acceleration or vibrations. We provide numerical evidence for the feasibility of SQUID-based accelerometers that can be used for transverse acceleration and oscillatory motion measurement.
SQUIDs (superconducting quantum interference devices) have been in use for more than half a century and constitute one of the first macroscopic quantum devices. SQUIDs operating at millikelvin temperatures can act as qubits for quantum computers and the recent reports of more than 50 qubit circuits indicate how far the technology has developed. In this talk, the author will describe two other applications of SQUIDs as quantum detectors, focusing on single spin and single photon energy resolving detection. Most superconducting devices rely on tri-layer Josephson tunnel junctions which are not easily scalable to the nanoscale. We have developed a Josephson junction fabrication method, based on electron beam lithography or focused ion beam milling of a single thin film of superconductor (Nb generally) which can provide sizes down to 50 nm. These devices are particularly relevant for two main applications in quantum technology and metrology. First, by shrinking the size of the SQUID loop and the junctions to around 200 nm, the sensitivity of the SQUID for magnetization measurements is improved to the level where a single electron spin flip may be detected. This is possible at the relatively elevated temperature of 4K.  We are working with Surrey University to implant single magnetic ions within the SQUID loop to provide a platform to test this combination as the basis for a new form of qubit operating at higher temperatures than the conventional Transmon superconducting devices. A second SQUID based detector which we are developing is an inductive transition edge sensor device (ISTED) for energy resolving measurements of single photons. This is based on the development of conventional transition edge sensors where we detect the change of the penetration depth of a small thin film of superconductor when it absorbs a photon. In this way, a major source of noise in conventional TES may be avoided since the absorber remains in the superconducting state at all times. In this way we have demonstrated single photon detection at 633 nm with 0.1eV resolution at operating temperature of 7.5K.
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Measurements of extremely weak magnetic fields in unshielded environments require sensors providing a high dynamic range and slew rate while maintaining a high resolution. At present, analog Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) are the most sensitive sensors for magnetic flux. Due to their room-temperature feedback electronics necessary to maintain a stable point of operation, slew rates of those sensors are limited. The dynamic range is usually restricted by the resolution of classical analog to digital converters. The digital SQUID follows a different approach: a change of the magnetic field penetrating the pickup loop is translated by the sensor into a stream of voltage pulses. Each pulse represents the change of the magnetic flux inside the pickup loop by one flux quantum Φ0. By fast counting of these flux quanta, it is possible to outperform the analog SQUID in terms of dynamic range and maximum slew rate. We present our latest results with respect to the internal mechanisms of the digital SQUID and present a method to compensate the main source for nonlinear behavior of the sensor. The analyzed circuit was fabricated by FLUXONICS Foundry (1) in a 1 kA/cm² niobium fabrication process.