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Soviet physics. Technical physics

Limiting characteristics of a superconducting quantum interferometer. II. Signal-to-noise ratio

Eugene I. Butikov, S.P. Feofilov

Published Nov 1, 1980• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

In the approximation of small fluctuations, the spectral density of intrinsic thermal noise limiting the maximal sensitivity of a constant-current SQUID is found in the low-frequency region. The dependence of the signal-to-noise ratio on the SQUID parameters and operating conditions of an interferometer with low-frequency magnetic flux modulation is studied. Estimates are given for the smallest detectable magnetic flux corresponding to optimal operating conditions of a SQUID.

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In the approximation of small fluctuations, the spectral density of intrinsic thermal noise limiting the maximal sensitivity of a constant-current SQUID is found in the low-frequency region. The dependence of the signal-to-noise ratio on the SQUID parameters and operating conditions of an interferometer with low-frequency magnetic flux modulation is studied. Estimates are given for the smallest detectable magnetic flux corresponding to optimal operating conditions of a SQUID.
The operation of a constant-current quantum interferometer with two Josephson junctions is studied in a system for measuring small changes in a magnetic field with low-frequency modulation of the magnetic flux. Idealized theoretical signal characteristics are found together with their dependence on the operating mode and parameters of a SQUID. These characteristics are used in Pt. II (ref. 12) to determine the minimal detectable change in the magnetic flux, which characterizes the maximal sensitivity of a SQUID.
The sensitivity of a two-Josephson-junction interferometer as a magnetic flux detector (dc SQUID) is estimated. The minimum value of the basic SQUID characteristic-noise equivalent temperature δT = (δΦ)2/kBL appears to be as low as for the best rf SQUID mode:(\deltaT)_{\min}/(\Deltaf)\cong 3 T/f_{o}. HereTis an operating temperature, fois a characteristic frequency of the Josephson junctions and\Deltafis a post-detector bandwidth. For a typical value of SQUID inductance L this limit corresponds to flux sensitivity of the order of 10-7Φo/Hz1/2.
A model is presented for a possible source of low frequency (1/f) noise in the dc superconducting quantum interferometer device (SQUID). Thermal fluctuations within the device are assumed to generate low frequency fluctuations in the device parameters. The resultant parameter fluctuations induce fluctuations in the device characteristics. As an example, low frequency voltage noise spectral densities are computed as a function of temperature and applied flux. In addition, low frequency variations in the forward transfer function of the SQUID are predicted. The model can be generalized to predict low frequency noise generated by parameter fluctuations in other Josephson junction circuits.
In the present article, we present the experimental results concerning the fine-tuning and optimization of superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) parameters by thermal annealing. This treatment allows for the modification of the parameters in order to meet a specific application or to adjust the device parameters to prevent the increase of magnetic field noise and work instability conditions due to a different critical current with respect to the design value. In particular, we report the sensor critical current, the voltage-flux (V-Φ) characteristics and the spectral density of the magnetic field of SQUID magnetometers for different annealing temperatures. The measurements demonstrate that it is possible to achieve a fine control of the most important device parameters. In particular, we show that thermal annealing allows for the reduction of SQUID noise by more than a factor of 5 and makes the device working operations very stable. These results are very useful in view of quantum technology applications related to superconducting quantum computing where the correct functioning of the quantum bit depends on the fine control of the superconducting quantum device parameters and selectable annealing is possible by using a suitable laser as a thermal source.
In this paper a discussion is given of the noise sources and sensitivity limits of the rf biased SQUID. Both the low critical current inductive and the higher critical current hysteretic devices are considered. The intrinsic SQUID noise is treated by considering the internal flux response of a SQUID ring to an applied rf flux. While approximate, this approach yields the most direct picture of the nature of the intrinsic noise. Circuit optimization procedures for maximizing SQUID performance under various operating conditions are also outlined. Finally the effects of non-ideal weak link behavior upon SQUID operation are treated. (Author)
The dc-superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) is a low-noise converter from magnetic flux to voltage which can have, in principle, an energy sensitivity near the quantum limit of ℏ/2. A critical parameter for the ideal performance is the device inductance, which must be kept as small as possible. Minimizing the SQUID inductance, however, is a major concern for a practical device; this requirement implies a small SQUID ring and hence magnetic coupling with an external signal is more difficult to achieve. Here we present an original scheme (called multiwasher) to circumvent this problem, and its implementation in an all-refractory thin-film device. Our scheme not only provides good magnetic coupling with a large input coil (0.5 μH) and very low SQUID inductance, but also shielding from outside uniform fields, such as those generated by ambient disturbances. The measured coupled spectral energy sensitivity in the white region at about 1 kHz is 28ℏ at 4.2 K and 5.5ℏ in a pumped helium bath at 0.9 K. The flux noise spectral density at 0.1 Hz and 0.9 K is Φn=1×10−6 Φ0/Hz.