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Japanese Journal of Applied Physics

On the AC Bias Readout Schemes for High-TC Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices

Shinya Kuriki, Amane Hayashi, Hiroshi Oyama

Published Aug 1, 1999• 6 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The ac bias method is used in the readout system of dc-superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) to suppress the low-frequency noise that originates in the fluctuation of parameters of two junctions in the SQUID. From the analysis of various schemes of the ac bias method, we propose a simple form which expresses the alternation of the operation variables, i.e., the bias current, modulation flux, and bias flux. We considered the modification of the previous schemes in the context of this form and have found a possible method to directly detect the noise component due to the parameter fluctuation. In the modified ac bias scheme, the low-frequency noise of the parameter fluctuation can either be detected or suppressed by manipulating a single variable. We fabricated the electronics to verify this function, and confirmed the versatility of this method from the measurements of the high-T C SQUID.

DOI
10.1143/jjap.38.4733

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The ac bias method is used in the readout system of dc-superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) to suppress the low-frequency noise that originates in the fluctuation of parameters of two junctions in the SQUID. From the analysis of various schemes of the ac bias method, we propose a simple form which expresses the alternation of the operation variables, i.e., the bias current, modulation flux, and bias flux. We considered the modification of the previous schemes in the context of this form and have found a possible method to directly detect the noise component due to the parameter fluctuation. In the modified ac bias scheme, the low-frequency noise of the parameter fluctuation can either be detected or suppressed by manipulating a single variable. We fabricated the electronics to verify this function, and confirmed the versatility of this method from the measurements of the high-T C SQUID.
We propose a readout scheme for high-T c dc-SQUIDs (superconducting quantum interference devices) with alternating current bias and synchronized offset flux. By use of this scheme, low-frequency noise due to critical current fluctuations, which exist in grain boundary junctions, can be canceled. The readout electronics are simple and operation parameters requiring adjustment are minimized. The ac bias scheme has been applied to YBCO step-junction SQUIDs, where partial reduction of the equivalent flux noise below 100 Hz is observed.
A simple approach to understanding and analyzing direct readout schemes for superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) is presented. It is shown that the existing methods for suppression of room temperature amplifier noise are based on voltage feedback and current feedback in the SQUID, that were introduced in the original schemes of additional positive feedback and bias current feedback. It is also shown that the way the SQUID is biased (at constant current or voltage) does not affect the noise suppression.
We experimentally studied two important parameters of helium-cooled superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) in the voltage bias mode: the dynamic resistance Rd and the flux-to-current transfer coefficient ∂i/∂Φ, with different junction shunt resistors RJ. We investigated a voltage-biased SQUID using the direct readout current-to-voltage converter scheme involving an operational amplifier. At higher RJ, the flux-to-voltage conversion coefficient ∂V/∂Φ becomes sufficiently large to effectively suppress the room-temperature amplifier's noise without any need for additional feedback circuits. The McCumber parameter limits the rise of ∂V/∂Φ. We discuss the performance of voltage-biased SQUIDs at different effective McCumber parameters.
We have developed a radio frequency bias current scheme with reversal frequency up to 50 MHz for dc superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs). The SQUID and the readout electronics, were connected via a quarter wavelength (/spl lambda//4) transmission line. This transmission line not only transported the SQUID signal, but also served as the resonant matching circuit. For a dc SQUID of inductance 115 pH (loop size 75/spl times/75 /spl mu/m/sup 2/), we measured a flux noise of 33 /spl mu//spl phi//sub 0///spl radic/Hz at 77 K in the flux locked loop configuration. The corner frequency of 1/f noise was less than 0.5 Hz.
Superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) are promising for detection of extremely weak power regimes for the Internet of Things and long-distance satellite networks. In low-frequency magnetic signal measurements, it has demonstrated superior performance over the traditional systems. We review the resistively and capacitively shunted junction model of dc SQUIDs and investigate its transfer function to magnetic flux signals while taking thermal fluctuation into account. We numerically evaluate the influence of bias current and bias flux signal to determine the operating parameters of the device. The performances related to SQUID ring inductance operating at 4.2 K and 77 K are demonstrated. Combined with common radio frequency front-end modules, including low-noise amplifier and low-pass filter, we evaluate the bit-error-rate performance of the system under different inductance values and inferred that the sensitivity of the system can reach −99 dBm at 100 MHz bandwidth.
A detailed study has been made of the low-frequency excess noise of rf superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs), fabricated from thin niobium films and operated at 4.2 K, with rf bias frequencies of 0.15, 1.7, and 3 GHz. When the SQUIDs were operated in an open-loop configuration in the absence of low-frequency flux modulation, the demodulated rf voltage exhibited a substantial level 1/f noise, which was essentially independent of the rf bias frequency. As the rf bias frequency was increased, the crossover frequency at which the 1/f noise power was equal to the white noise power moved to higher frequencies, because of the reduction in white noise. On the other hand, when the SQUID was flux modulated at 50 kHz and operated in a flux locked loop, no 1/f noise was observed at frequencies above 0.5 Hz. A detailed description of how the combination of rf bias and flux modulation removes 1/f noise due to critical current fluctuations is given. Thus, the results demonstrate that the 1/f noise observed in these SQUIDs is generated by critical current fluctuations, rather than by the hopping of flux vortices in the niobium films.