Hybrid superconducting quantum magnetometer

TL;DR

This paper presents a theoretical analysis of a superconducting quantum magnetometer that uses flux-driven modulation of a nanowire's density of states, achieving high transfer functions and low flux noise suitable for single-spin detection.

Contribution

It introduces a novel superconducting quantum magnetometer design with optimized parameters for enhanced sensitivity and low dissipation, enabling potential single-spin detection.

Findings

Transfer functions up to a few mV/Phi_0

Intrinsic flux noise ~10^{-9} Phi_0 Hz^{-1/2} below 1 K

Limited dissipation (~10^{-14} W) suitable for sensitive measurements

Abstract

A superconducting quantum magnetometer based on magnetic flux-driven modulation of the density of states of a proximized metallic nanowire is theoretically analyzed. With optimized geometrical and material parameters transfer functions up to a few mV/Phi_0 and intrinsic flux noise ~10^{-9}Phi_0 Hz^{-1/2} below 1 K are achievable. The opportunity to access single-spin detection joined with limited dissipation (of the order of ~ 10^{-14} W) make this magnetometer interesting for the investigation of the switching dynamics of molecules or individual magnetic nanoparticles.