Browsing by Author "Akram, R."

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Open Access
1/f Noise characteristics of SEJ Y-Ba-Cu-O Rf-SQUIDs on LaAlO3 substrate and the step structure, film, and temperature dependence
(IEEE, 2001-03) Fardmanesh, M.; Schubert, J.; Akram, R.; Bick, M.; Zhang, Y.; Banzet, M.; Zander, W.; Krause, H. J.; Burkhart, H.; Schilling, M.
Step edge junction (SEJ) rf-SQUID magnetometers and gradiometers were fabricated using PLD Y-Ea-Cu-0 films on LaA10,(100) and SrTi0,(100) substrates. Effects of different step structure and the film properties on the yield, optimal operating temperature, and the l/f noise of the SQUIDs were investigated. The step structure was controlled using various IBE processes. The devices on LaAIO, showed higher sensitivity to the step structure compared to those on SrTiO,. This was due to re-deposition of substrate material at the steps prepared using the conventional IBE process resulting in a very low yield of unstable SQUIDs. High yield of low l/f noise stable SQUIDs was obtained on LaAIO, substrates with sharp steps prepared using an optimized IBE process. A typical l/f noise corner frequency of about lOHz at 77K with two major temperature dependencies was obtained. The temperature dependencies of the l/f noise could be correlated to the junction and the film of washer area of the SQUIDS. The white noise of our devices showed a dependency mainly on the amplitude of the flux to voltage transfer function signal. The operating temperature range of the SQUIDs could be controlled by the step structure and narrowed when the optimal operating temperature range was increased. All the measured junctions of our devices on the modified steps showed RSJ type behavior with a moderate decrease of the R, versus temperature.
Open Access
Analysis of electrical characteristics and magnetic field dependences of YBCO step edge and bicrystal grain boundary junctions for rf-SQUID applications
(Institute of Physics, 2004) Fardmanesh, M.; Schubert, J.; Akram, R.; Bick, M.; Banzet, M.; Zander, W.; Zhang, Y.; Krause, H-J.
The dc characteristics and magnetic field dependences of Y-Ba-Cu-O bicrystal grain boundary junctions (BGBJs) and step edge junctions (SEJs) were investigated for fabrication of rf-SQUIDs. Test junctions with up to 8 μm widths as well as the junctions of the two types of junction-based rf-SQUID were studied. The SEJs typically showed lower Jc and higher ρN as compared to the BGBJs, resulting in close IcRN products. All the BGBJs showed classical field dependent Ic following their junction width, resembling Fraunhofer patterns. The field sensitivity of the BGBJs' Uc led to low yield submicron BGBJ rf-SQUIDs partially impaired by the Earth's magnetic field. Two major behaviours of low and high field dependences of Ic were observed for the SEJs. Only the low field-sensitive SEJs resulted in micron size junction rf-SQUIDs not impaired by the Earth's magnetic field. The low field-sensitive SEJs led to low I/f noise magnetically stable rf-SQUIDs appropriate for applications in unshielded environments at 77 K.
Open Access
Dependence of Josephson junction critical current on the deposition rate of YBa2Cu3O7-δ thin films
(American Institute of Physics, 2007) Algül, B. P.; Avcı, İ.; Akram, R.; Bozbey, Ali; Tepe, M.; Abukay, D.
We have reported the effect of YBa2Cu3O 7-δ (YBCO) thin film deposition rate on the 24 and 30 degree STO bicrystal Josephson junctions critical currents by fabricating series of junctions with different deposition rates. Dependence of YBCO thin film structures on the deposition rate was investigated. We have observed that the critical currents of junctions are strongly affected by the thin film deposition rate.
Open Access
Front-end assembly optimization for high-Tcrf-SQUID based magnetic field imaging systems
(2006) Akram, R.; Fardmanesh, M.; Schubert J.; Zander W.; Banzet, M.; Lomparski, D.; Schmidt, M.; Krause H.-J.
We have investigated the rf-SQUID and its coupling to the tank circuit configurations to achieve an optimal front-end assembly for sensitive and high spatial resolution magnetic imaging systems. The investigation on the YBCO rf-SQUID coupling to the conventional LC tank circuits revealed that the coupling from the back of the SQUID substrate enhances the SQUID signal while facilitating the front-end assembly configuration. The optimal thickness of the substrate material between the SQUID and the tank circuit is 0.4mm for LaAlO3 resulting in an increase of SQUID flux-voltage transfer function signal, Vspp, of 1.5 times, and 0.5 mm for SrTiO3 with an increase of Vspp of 1.62 times compared to that of direct face to face couplings. For the rf-coupling with co-planar resonator, CPR, it has been found that the best configuration, in which a resonator is sandwiched between the SQUID substrate and resonator substrate, provides a Vspp about 3.4 times higher than the worse case where the resonator and the SQUID are coupled back to back. It has also been observed that the noise level does not depend considerably on whether a conventional LC tank circuit or a CPR is used. Though the use of resonator leads to a limitation of the achievable spatial resolution due to its flux-focusing characteristics. This resulted in favouring the use of the conventional tank circuits when considering the desired high spatial resolution. Effect of the YBCO flip-chip magnetic shielding of the SQUIDs in the back coupling with the LC-tank circuit configuration has also been investigated, in order to reduce the SQUID effective area to increase the spatial resolution and also to study the effect of the coupling of various types of the transformers to the SQUIDs. It is revealed that there is no considerable change in the flux-voltage transfer function signal level with respect to the effective shield area, while the lowest working temperature of the SQUIDs was slightly shifted higher by a couple of degrees depending on the shield area. © 2006 IOP Publishing Ltd.
Open Access
High sensitivity and multifunctional micro-Hall sensors fabricated using InAlSb/InAsSb/InAlSb heterostructures
(2009) Bando, M.; Ohashi, T.; Dede, M.; Akram, R.; Oral, A.; Park, S.Y.; Shibasaki I.; Handa H.; Sandhu, A.
Further diversification of Hall sensor technology requires development of materials with high electron mobility and an ultrathin conducting layer very close to the material's surface. Here, we describe the magnetoresistive properties of micro-Hall devices fabricated using InAlSb/InAsSb/InAlSb heterostructures where electrical conduction was confined to a 30 nm-InAsSb two-dimensional electron gas layer. The 300 K electron mobility and sheet carrier concentration were 36 500 cm2 V-1 s-1 and 2.5× 1011 cm-2, respectively. The maximum current-related sensitivity was 2 750 V A-1 T-1, which was about an order of magnitude greater than AlGaAs/InGaAs pseudomorphic heterostructures devices. Photolithography was used to fabricate 1 μm×1 μm Hall probes, which were installed into a scanning Hall probe microscope and used to image the surface of a hard disk. © 2009 American Institute of Physics.
Open Access
Imaging capability of pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistors, AlGaN/GaN, and Si micro-Hall probes for scanning Hall probe microscopy between 25 and 125 °c
(American Vacuum Society, 2009) Akram, R.; Dede, M.; Oral, A.
The authors present a comparative study on imaging capabilities of three different micro-Hall probe sensors fabricated from narrow and wide band gap semiconductors for scanning hall probe microscopy at variable temperatures. A novel method of quartz tuning fork atomic force microscopy feedback has been used which provides extremely simple operation in atmospheric pressures, high-vacuum, and variable-temperature environments and enables very high magnetic and reasonable topographic resolution to be achieved simultaneously. Micro-Hall probes were produced using optical lithography and reactive ion etching process. The active area of all different types of Hall probes were 1×1 μ m2. Electrical and magnetic characteristics show Hall coefficient, carrier concentration, and series resistance of the hall sensors to be 10 mG, 6.3× 1012 cm-2, and 12 k at 25 °C and 7 mG, 8.9× 1012 cm-2 and 24 k at 125 °C for AlGaNGaN two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG), 0.281 mG, 2.2× 1014 cm-2, and 139 k at 25 °C and 0.418 mG, 1.5× 1014 cm-2 and 155 k at 100 °C for Si and 5-10 mG, 6.25× 1012 cm-2, and 12 k at 25 °C for pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistors (PHEMT) 2DEG Hall probe. Scan of magnetic field and topography of hard disc sample at variable temperatures using all three kinds of probes are presented. The best low noise image was achieved at temperatures of 25, 100, and 125 °C for PHEMT, Si, and AlGaNGaN Hall probes, respectively. This upper limit on the working temperature can be associated with their band gaps and noise associated with thermal activation of carriers at high temperatures.
Open Access
Investigation of the effect of thermal cycling on the device performance of YBa2Cu3O7-δ DC-SQUIDs
(2007) Avci I.; Algul, B.P.; Bozbey, A.; Akram, R.; Tepe, M.; Abukay, D.
We investigated the effect of thermal cycling on the operational performance of YBa2Cu3O7-δ (YBCO) direct current superconducting quantum interference devices (DC-SQUIDs) fabricated onto 24°SrTiO3 (STO) bicrystal substrates. The devices under investigation consist of directly coupled DC-SQUID magnetometer configurations. Thin films having 200nm thicknesses were deposited by dc-magnetron sputtering and device patterns were made by a standard lithography process and chemical etching. The SQUIDs having 4νm-wide grain boundary Josephson junctions (GBJJs) were characterized by means of critical currents, peak-to-peak output voltages and noise levels, depending on the thermal cycles. In order to achieve a protective layer for the junctions against the undesired effects of thermal cycles and ambient atmosphere during the room temperature storage, the devices were coated with a 400nm thick YBCO layer at room temperature. Since the second layer of amorphous YBCO is completely electrically insulating, it does not affect the operation of the junctions and pick-up coils of magnetometers. This two-layered configuration ensures the protection of the junctions from ambient atmosphere as well as from the effect of water molecules interacting with the film structure during each thermal cycle. © IOP Publishing Ltd.
Open Access
Selection of the best proper DC-SQUIDs in a multi-SQUID configuration
(IEEE, 2007) Avcı, İ.; Akram, R.; Bozbey, Ali; Tepe, M.; Abukay, D.
We have carried out experimental investigation of multi-DC-SQUID magnetometer configuration fabricated on YBa2Cu30 7-δ thin films onto 24 degree SrTiO3 bicrystal substrates by directly coupling the pick-up loop to DC-SQUIDs. The layout of the magnetometer pick-up loop was chosen as a square washer configuration by maximizing loop effective area and minimizing loop inductance. We have used De-Magnetron Sputtering technique for deposition of the films and chemical etching process for patterning the Josephson junctions having 4 μm widths. The use of multi-SQUID configuration is related to the selection of the best proper junctions for SQUID to improve the chip sensitivity with selectivity option of choosing the squid junctions rather than multichannel operation. Selection of the best junctions compared to each other depending on the junction critical currents and noise levels caused by the fabrication process and placements of the junctions on the grain boundary enable having an increased output signal of the DC-SQUID.
Open Access
The set-up of a high temperature superconductor radio-frequency SQUID microscope for magnetic nanoparticle detection
(Institute of Physics Publishing Ltd., 2006) Schmidt, M.; Krause, H.-J.; Banzet, M.; Lomparski, D.; Schubert, J.; Zander, W.; Zhang, Y.; Akram, R.; Fardmanesh, M.
SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) microscopes are versatile instruments for biosensing applications, in particular for magnetic nanoparticle detection in immunoassay experiments. We are developing a SQUID microscope based on an HTS rf SQUID magnetometer sensor with a substrate resonator. For the cryogenic set-up, a configuration was realized in which the cryostat is continuously refilled and kept at a constant liquid nitrogen level by an isolated tube connection to a large liquid nitrogen reservoir. The SQUID is mounted on top of a sapphire finger, connected to the inner vessel of the stainless steel cryostat. The vacuum gap between the cold SQUID and room temperature sample is adjusted by the precise approach of a 50 νm thin sapphire window using a single fine thread wheel. We investigated possible sensing tip configurations and different sensor integration techniques in order to achieve an optimized design. A new scheme of coupling the rf SQUID from its back to a SrTiO3 substrate resonator was adopted for the purpose of minimization of the sensor-to-sample spacing. By SQUID substrate thinning and washer size reduction, the optimum coupling conditions for back coupling were determined for different rf SQUID magnetometers prepared on LaAlO3 and SrTiO3 substrates. The SQUID microscope system is characterized with respect to its spatial resolution and its magnetic field noise. The SQUID microscope instrument will be used for magnetic nanoparticle marker detection.
Open Access
Signal enhancement techniques for rf SQUID based magnetic imaging systems
(Institute of Physics Publishing Ltd., 2006) Akram, R.; Fardmanesh, M.; Schubert, J.; Zander W.; Banzet, M.; Lomparski, D.; Schmidt, M.; Krause, H.-J.
We have investigated the rf SQUID (radio-frequency superconducting quantum interference device) and its coupling to tank circuit configurations to achieve an optimal front-end assembly for sensitive and high spatial resolution magnetic imaging systems. The investigation of the YBCO rf SQUID coupling to the conventional LC tank circuits revealed that coupling from the back of the SQUID substrate enhances the SQUID signal while facilitating the front-end assembly configuration. The optimal thickness of the substrate material between the SQUID and the tank circuit is 0.4 mm for LaAlO3 resulting in an increase of the SQUID flux-voltage transfer function signal, Vspp, of 1.5 times, and 0.5 mm for SrTiO3 with an increase of V spp of 1.62 times compared to that for direct face to face couplings. For rf coupling with a coplanar resonator, it has been found that the best configuration, in which a resonator is sandwiched between the SQUID substrate and the resonator substrate, provides a Vspp about 3.4 times higher than that for the worse case where the resonator and the SQUID are coupled back to back. The use of a resonator leads to a limitation of the achievable spatial resolution due to its flux focusing characteristics. This resulted in a favouring of the use of the conventional tank circuits when considering the desired high spatial resolution. The effect of the YBCO flip chip magnetic shielding of the SQUIDs in the back-coupling with the LC tank circuit configuration has also been investigated, with a view to reducing the SQUID effective area to increase the spatial resolution and also for studying the effect of the coupling of various kinds of transformers to the SQUIDs. It is revealed that there is no very considerable change in the flux-voltage transfer function signal level with respect to the effective shield area, while the lowest working temperature of the SQUIDs was slightly shifted higher by a couple of degrees, depending on the shield area.