低噪声超导量子干涉器件磁强计设计与制备

超导量子干涉器件(superconducting quantum interference device, SQUID)作为一种极灵敏的磁通传感器,在生物磁探测、低场核磁共振、地球物理等领域得到广泛应用.本文介绍了一种基于SQUID的高灵敏度磁强计,由SQUID和一组磁通变压器组成. SQUID采用一阶梯度构型,增强其抗干扰性.磁通变压器由多匝螺旋的输入线圈和大尺寸单匝探测线圈组成,其中输入线圈与SQUID通过互感进行磁通耦合.利用自主工艺平台,在4英寸硅衬底上完成了基于Nb/Al-AlO_x/Nb约瑟夫森隧道结的SQUID磁强计制备.低温测试结果显示,该磁强计磁场灵敏度为0.36 nT/Φ_0,白噪声段磁通噪声为8μΦ_0/√Hz,等效磁场噪声为2.88 fT/√Hz.     

DC SQUID 中电感不对称性对I-V特性曲线的效应

DC SQUID的I-V曲线依赖于穿过它的外加磁通,在不同的给定磁通下DC SQUID具有一组I-V曲线.在某些有关DC SQUID的实验中,发现在两个不同给定磁通下,相应的两条I-V曲线不再象通常那样呈现准平行的特点,而是具有一个或几个交点.本文的计算表明,如果DC SQUID具有的电感不对称程度较为显著时,确实会出现上述实验现象.这是一种造成上述实验结果的可能解释.     

基于比例积分的DC SQUID直读电路仿真研究

针对航空磁测系统中DC SQUID读出电路存在的失锁现象,本文采用MATLAB仿真软件,建立DC SQUID直读电路的数学模型,分析阶跃响应,提出了一种基于比例积分反馈的磁通锁定电路。还在电路仿真软件中测试了不同反馈回路下系统输出,验证了比例积分反馈回路可提高摆率,快速跟踪突变信号。     

地磁环境下基于SQUID三轴磁强计的矢量稳场

超导量子干涉器件(Superconducting Quantum Interference Device,简称SQUID)是一种高灵敏度的矢量磁探测器.本文采用低温超导SQUID作为传感器,搭建了一套三轴矢量磁场稳定装置.该系统由两个三轴SQUID磁强计模块、比例积分微分(PID)控制器和反馈线圈组组成.在该系统的矢量稳场下,磁场波动峰峰值在有效带宽内可以降低四个数量级,可达pT量级,稳场效果显著.此技术可以满足大部分需要稳定磁场,如高灵敏度磁传感器的标定等应用场合.     

应用于无屏蔽心磁测量中的平面三轴磁强计

目前,无屏蔽心磁测量中主要的噪声抑制技术是梯度计.通常,由于制作工艺不完美和结构不对称等原因,梯度计具有一定的不平衡性.为了提高梯度计的噪声抑制能力,需要采用磁强计进行补偿.本文基于低温超导量子干涉仪（SQUID）设计并制作了平面三轴磁强计.设计思想是通过增加磁通反馈线圈与SQUID间的互感系数,减小了三轴磁强计间的相...     

低场核磁共振短死时间射频线圈与射频开关的设计

本文以核磁共振（NMR）射频线圈振铃信号产生原理为对象进行分析研究,提出了一种适用于低场环境下由环状间隙腔线圈与螺线管线圈构成的收发分离式短死时间射频线圈设计方案,采用优化调谐匹配网络提高发射效率;根据射频线圈方案需求设计了快速切换的射频开关及驱动．在此基础上依据仿真结果制作了短死时间射频线圈,并应用于自主研制的低场9.51 MHz便携式NMR谱仪系统,进行NMR实验,结果显示可将收发切换时间缩短至10 μs以内,验证了该设计方案的可行性．     

超导量子干涉器件读出电路中匹配变压器的传输特性研究

在磁通调制超导量子干涉器件(SQUID)的读出电路中, 匹配变压器具有放大信号和阻抗匹配的功能, 是实现SQUID低噪声读出的关键元件. 利用模拟SQUID电路对匹配变压器进行性能测试, 研究了不同绕制匝数变压器的传输特性, 确定最佳绕制匝数比. 在变压器拾取SQUID电压信号的耦合网络中, 研究了不同电容对变压器传输特性的影响, 实现了变压器耦合网络参数的匹配和优化. 室温下匝数比为1:20的匹配变压器在匹配电容C=1μF时, 输出源电压增益为21.2, 带宽范围可达到210 kHz. 最后在基于磁通调制式DC SQUID读出电路中, 对匹配变压器的工作性能进行了评估与验证. 关键词： 超导量子干涉器件读出电路 匹配变压器 低噪声 传输特性     

具有Washer型输入线圈的超导量子干涉放大器的制备与表征

超导量子干涉仪(SQUID)放大器具有低输入阻抗、低噪声、低功耗等优点, 目前被广泛用于微弱信号的检测领域. 与其他工艺相比, Nb/Al-AlO_x/Nb结构的约瑟夫森结具有相对较高的转变温度(T_c)、高的磁通电压调制系数以及良好的热循环能力、较宽的临界电流范围, 因此是制备SQUID放大器的很好选择. 设计并制作了欠阻尼、过阻尼约瑟夫森结以及具有Washer型输入线圈的单SQUID放大器, 通过在He³制冷机3 K温区下对器件电流-电压特性进行测量, 得到良好的结I-V特性曲线、SQUID调制特性, 初步实现利用SQUID进行放大作用, 并计算了SQUID的电流分辨率. 此项工作对于超导转变边沿传感器读出电路的实现具有重要的意义.     

高温DC SQUID在无损检测中的应用

成功制备了用于无损检测的YBCO垫圈型DC SQUID,利用该器件建立了一套扫描SQUID显微镜无损检测装置,采用多极激励场的结构,引入高阶梯度,提高敏感元件-高温SQUID的平衡度,以及减小激励场的空间尺度来提高探测元件无损检测的灵敏度,利用该装置对圆孔缺陷的铝材料样品施加电磁激励并进行了二维磁场扫描成像,获得了较好的实验结果.     

基于约瑟夫森参量放大原理的射频微波相位传感器

近期,利用超导量子干涉器(SQUID)的非线性电感效应,种类多样的参量放大器被广泛研究,证明其对射频微波信号,尤其是信号的相位变化响应灵敏。通过实验研究证明了基于约瑟夫森参量放大器的射频微波相位传感器。实验中采用的约瑟夫森参量放大器由一个嵌入超导共面波导谐振器中的DC SQUID构建而成。由于本次样品中SQUID的临界电流较大,一定程度上限制了参量放大器的非线性与可调谐性,可观测到的相位响应灵敏度为1.2 dB/rad。未来通过合理设计样品,降低临界电流值,必将大幅提高相位传感器的灵敏度。     

Optimization of pick-up coils for weakly damped SQUID gradiometers

The performance of a superconducting quantum interference device(SQUID) gradiometer is always determined by its pick-up coil geometry, such as baseline and radius. In this paper, based on the expressions for the coupled flux threading a magnetometer obtained by Wikswo, we studied how the gradiometer performance parameters, including the current dipole sensitivity, spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio(SNR), are affected by its pick-up coil via Mat Lab simulation.Depending on the simulation results, the optimal pick-up coil design region for a certain gradiometer can be obtained.To verify the simulation results, we designed and fabricated several first-order gradiometers based on the weakly damped SQUID with different pick-up coils by applying superconducting connection. The experimental measurements were conducted on a simple current dipole in a magnetically shielding room. The measurement results are well in coincidence with the simulation ones, indicating that the simulation model is useful in specific pick-up coil design.     

Characterization of Scanning SQUID Probes Based on 3D Nano-Bridge Junctions in Magnetic Field

We develop superconducting quantum interference device(SQUID) probes based on 3D nano-bridge junctions for the scanning SQUID microscopy. The use of these nano-bridge junctions enables imaging in the presence of a high magnetic field. Conventionally, a superconducting ground layer has been employed for better magnetic shielding. In our study, we prepare a number of scanning SQUID probes with and without a ground layer to evaluate their performance in external magnetic fields. The devices show the improved magnetic modulation up to 1.4 T. It is found that the ground layer reduces the inductance, and increases the modulation depth and symmetricity of the gradiometer design in the absence of the field. However, the layer is not compatible with the use of the scanning SQUID probe in the field because it decreases its working field range. Moreover, by adding the layer, the mutual inductance between the feedback coil and the SQUID also decreases linearly as a function of the field.     

Magnetic sensors with good signal-to-interference discrimination

Summary Principles are established for the design of coil arrays which generate distant magnetic fields diminishing as a high inverse power of the distance. By a principle of reciprocity these arrays, when used as sensors in induction and SQUID magnetometers, have an inherently low sensitivity to distant sources of magnetic field. Paper presented at the ?IV International Workshop on Biomagnetism?, held in Rome, September 14–16, 1982.     

SQUID用于铍材残余应力检测的计算机模拟

依据SMM-601型超导量子干涉显微镜检测部分构建计算模型,采用电磁场有限元方法分析了残余应力引起的非磁性金属材料铍电导率变化对超导量子干涉仪(SQUID)检测信号的影响,并讨论了该方法实际应用于非磁性金属材料残余应力检测的条件和可能性。     

Multilayer Gradient Coil Design

In standard cylindrical gradient coils consisting of wires wound in a single layer, the rapid increase in coil resistance with efficiency is the limiting factor in achieving very large magnetic field gradients. This behavior results from the decrease in the maximum usable wire diameter as the number of turns is increased. By adopting a multilayer design in which the coil wires are allowed to spread out into multiple layers wound at increasing radii, a more favorable scaling of resistance with efficiency is achieved, thus allowing the design of more powerful gradient coils with acceptable resistance values. By extending the theory used to design standard cylindrical gradient coils, we have developed mathematical expressions which allow the design of multilayer coils, and the evaluation of their performance. These expressions have been used to design a four-layer,z-gradient coil of 8 mm inner diameter, which has an efficiency of 1.73 Tm⁻¹A⁻¹, a resistance of 1.8 Ω, and an inductance of 50 μH. This coil produces a gradient which deviates from linearity by less than 5% within a central cylindrical region of 4.5 mm length and 4.5 mm diameter. A coil has been constructed from this design and tested in simple imaging and pulsed gradient spin echo experiments. The resulting data verify the predicted coil performance, thus demonstrating the advantages of using multilayer coils for experiments requiring very large magnetic field gradients.     

Observation of rf SQUID characteristics in YBCO bulk at 77 K

RF SQUID behaviour due to grain boundary weak links in a bulk YBCO is observed at 77 K using modified commercial rf electronics. Porous samples with lowI _c are found to show this characteristic whereas dense samples with higherI _c do not show SQUID behaviour.V-B modulation characteristic is found to be better when the rf pumping frequency is kept slightly higher than the resonance frequency of the tank circuit. Designing of coil for tank circuit with appropriateQ has been found to be very crucial for seeing the SQUID behaviour. Estimation of parameters such as coupling constant, mutual inductance, inductance and radius of the SQUID loop, have been made and their significance is discussed. Flux noise spectrum of the bulk rf SQUID in flux locked mode is also reported.     

An efficient calibration method for SQUID measurement system using three orthogonal Helmholtz coils

For a practical superconducting quantum interference device(SQUID) based measurement system,the Tesla/volt coefficient must be accurately calibrated.In this paper,we propose a highly efficient method of calibrating a SQUID magnetometer system using three orthogonal Helmholtz coils.The Tesla/volt coefficient is regarded as the magnitude of a vector pointing to the normal direction of the pickup coil.By applying magnetic fields through a three-dimensional Helmholtz coil,the Tesla/volt coefficient can be directly calculated from magnetometer responses to the three orthogonally applied magnetic fields.Calibration with alternating current(AC) field is normally used for better signal-to-noise ratio in noisy urban environments and the results are compared with the direct current(DC) calibration to avoid possible effects due to eddy current.In our experiment,a calibration relative error of about 6.89 × 10-4is obtained,and the error is mainly caused by the non-orthogonality of three axes of the Helmholtz coils.The method does not need precise alignment of the magnetometer inside the Helmholtz coil.It can be used for the multichannel magnetometer system calibration effectively and accurately.     

Actively shielded multi-layer gradient coil designs with improved cooling properties

In standard cylindrical gradient coils consisting of a single layer of wires, a limiting factor in achieving very large magnetic field gradients is the rapid increase in coil resistance with efficiency. This is a particular problem in small-bore scanners, such as those used for MR microscopy. By adopting a multi-layer design in which the coil wires are allowed to spread out into multiple layers wound at increasing radii, a more favourable scaling of resistance with efficiency is achieved, thus allowing the design of more powerful gradient coils with acceptable resistance values. Previously this approach has been applied to the design of unshielded, longitudinal, and transverse gradient coils. Here, the multi-layer approach has been extended to allow the design of actively shielded multi-layer gradient coils, and also to produce coils exhibiting enhanced cooling characteristics. An iterative approach to modelling the steady-state temperature distribution within the coil has also been developed. Results indicate that a good level of screening can be achieved in multi-layer coils, that small versions of such coils can yield higher efficiencies at fixed resistance than conventional two-layer (primary and screen) coils, and that performance improves as the number of layers of increases. Simulations show that by optimising multi-layer coils for cooling it is possible to achieve significantly higher gradient strengths at a fixed maximum operating temperature. A four-layer coil of 8 mm inner diameter has been constructed and used to test the steady-state temperature model.     

Precision and sensitivity optimization of quantitative measurements in solid state NMR

This work presents a methodology for optimizing the precision, accuracy and sensitivity of quantitative solid state NMR measurements based on the external reference method. It is shown that the sample must be exclusively located within and completely span the coil region where the NMR response is directly proportional to the sample amount. We describe two methods to determine this "quantitative" coil volume, based on whether the probe is equipped or not with a gradient coil. In addition, to improve the sensitivity and the accuracy, an optimum rotor packing design is described, which allows the sample volume of the rotor to be matched to the quantitative coil volume. Experiments conducted on adamantane and NaCl, which are representative of a soft and hard material, respectively, show that one order of magnitude increase in experimental precision can be achieved with this methodology. Interestingly, the precision can be further improved by using the ERETIC method in order to compensate for most instrumental instabilities.     

Auxiliary probe design adaptable to existing probes for remote detection NMR, MRI, and time-of-flight tracing

A versatile, detection-only probe design is presented that can be adapted to any existing NMR or MRI probe with the purpose of making the remote detection concept generally applicable. Remote detection suggests freeing the NMR experiment from the confinement of using the same radio frequency (RF) coil and magnetic field for both information encoding and signal detection. Information is stored during the encoding step onto a fluid sensor medium whose magnetization is later measured in a different location. The choice of an RF probe and magnetic field for encoding can be made based solely on the size and characteristics of the sample and the desired information quality without considering detection sensitivity, as this aspect is dealt with by a separate detector. While early experiments required building probes that included two resonant circuits, one for encoding and one for detection, a modular approach with a detection-only probe as presented here can be used along with any existing NMR probe of choice for encoding. The design of two different detection-only probes is presented, one with a saddle coil for milliliter-sized detection volumes, and the other one with a microsolenoid coil for sub-microliter fluid quantities. As example applications, we present time-of-flight (TOF) tracing of hyperpolarized (129)Xe spins in a gas mixture through coiled tubing using the microsolenoid coil detector and TOF flow imaging through a nested glass container where the gas flow changes its direction twice between inlet and outlet using the saddle coil detector.