Electrically tunable multi-terminal SQUID-on-tip

TL;DR

This paper introduces an electrically tunable multi-terminal SQUID-on-tip that offers enhanced magnetic field sensitivity and eliminates blind spots, enabling advanced nanoscale magnetic imaging.

Contribution

The authors develop a novel four-terminal SQUID-on-tip with in-situ electrical tunability, improving sensitivity and operational range over conventional two-terminal designs.

Findings

Achieved spin sensitivity of 5 to 8 μ_B/Hz^{1/2}

Operates effectively over 0 to 0.5 T magnetic field range

Eliminates magnetic blind spots in measurement

Abstract

We present a new nanoscale superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) whose interference pattern can be shifted electrically in-situ. The device consists of a nanoscale four-terminal/four-junction SQUID fabricated at the apex of a sharp pipette using a self-aligned three-step deposition of Pb. In contrast to conventional two-terminal/two-junction SQUIDs that display optimal sensitivity when flux biased to about a quarter of the flux quantum, the additional terminals and junctions allow optimal sensitivity at arbitrary applied flux, thus eliminating the magnetic field "blind spots". We demonstrate spin sensitivity of 5 to 8 $\mu_B/\text{Hz}^{1/2}$ over a continuous field range of 0 to 0.5 T, with promising applications for nanoscale scanning magnetic imaging.