Squid Readout of Cryogenic Particle Detectors

A.W. Hamster, M.J. van Duuren, G.C.S. Brons, J. Flokstra, H. Rogalla

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionAcademicpeer-review

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    Abstract

    Cryogenic radiation and particle detectors are widely investigated nowadays. Their high intrinsic energy sensitivity makes them suitable for a wide range of applications. In order to take full advantage of the sensitivity of these newly developed cryogenic detectors, in general current sensors are needed with a white noise level of the order of 10-12 A/√HZ and a bandwidth larger than 1 MHz. We applied a Double Relaxation Oscillation SQUID (DROS) as a low-noise current preamplifier for measuring the current-voltage characteristics of a superconducting Nb/Al-AlOx/Al/Nb Josephson tunnel junction. A white current noise level smaller than 2 pA/√Hz was obtained. Thanks to the large flux-to-voltage transfer of a DROS (typically 1 mV/Ø o), no modulation techniques are required, allowing simple room-temperature flux locked loop electronics. Since the Josephson junction was voltage biased, no magnetic field had to be applied to suppress the Josephson supercurrent, which eliminates distortion of the subgap I-V characteristics by Fiske resonances. The measurements show that a DROS is a serious alternative for the high resolution readout of an X-ray spectrometer based on a superconducting tunnel junction.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationSensor technology in the Netherlands - state of the art
    Subtitle of host publicationproceedings of the Dutch Sensor Conference, 2-3 March, 1998, University of Twente, the Netherlands
    EditorsA. van den Berg, P. Bergveld
    Place of PublicationDordrecht
    PublisherKluwer Academic Publishers
    Pages281-285
    Number of pages6
    ISBN (Electronic)978-94-011-5010-1
    ISBN (Print)978-94-010-6103-2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 14 Apr 1998
    EventDutch Sensor Conference 1998: Sensor Technology in the Netherlands: State of the Art - University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
    Duration: 2 Mar 19983 Mar 1998

    Publication series

    NameMESA monographs
    PublisherKluwer Academic Publishers
    Volume2

    Conference

    ConferenceDutch Sensor Conference 1998
    Country/TerritoryNetherlands
    CityEnschede
    Period2/03/983/03/98

    Keywords

    • Superconductivity
    • SQUID
    • Superconducting tunnel junction
    • Particle detector

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