Design and implementation of A 06 GHz - 09 GHz RF-SQUID Read-out system and investigation of rf-SQUID signal characteristics

Abstract

Design and implementation of a transceiver system for rf-SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) operation is investigated in this work. Besides, experiments to characterize the rf-SQUID have been performed using the implemented system. The steps in system design and implementation are presented. The difficulties and drawbacks of the system are reported and alternative techniques required to overcome these problems are determined. Also, for the operation of the rf-SQUID at much higher frequencies, different transceiver architecture is proposed and possible drawbacks are stated. Using implemented system, several experiments were performed on two high Tc rfSQUID gradiometers with a tank-circuit resonating at 720 MHz. In these experiments, the frequency and amplitude of the applied rf signal were swept and output flux to voltage transfer signal (modulation added by rf-SQUID), Vspp, and incoming rf signal spectrum are reported and analyzed.