Sensitive SQUID magnetometry for studying nano-magnetism

TL;DR

This paper discusses the artifacts and pitfalls in SQUID magnetometry, providing guidelines to improve nano-magnetism measurements by addressing design and user-related issues.

Contribution

It offers a detailed analysis of artifacts in commercial SQUID magnetometers and provides practical guidelines to improve nano-magnetism characterization.

Findings

Identification of intrinsic and user-related artifacts

Guidelines for artifact correction and avoidance

Enhanced accuracy in nano-magnetism measurements

Abstract

The superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer is one of the most sensitive experimental techniques to magnetically characterize samples with high sensitivity. Here we present a detailed discussion of possible artifacts and pitfalls characteristic for commercial SQUID magnetometers. This includes intrinsic artifacts which stem from the inherent design of the magnetometer as well as potential issues due to the user. We provide some guidelines how to avoid and correct these, which is of particular importance when the proper magnetization of nano-scale objects shall be established in cases where its response is dwarfed by that of the substrate it comes with, a situation frequently found in the field of nano-magnetism.