E. Esposito

Nanoparticle magnetization measurements by a high sensitive nano-superconducting quantum interference device

A high sensitive nano superconducting quantum interference device (nanoSQUID) operating as a magnetic flux to critical current transducer with a suitable feedback circuit is employed to measure the magnetization of ferrimagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. An improved SQUID responsivity has been obtained by using a loop inductance asymmetry. Iron oxide nanoparticles having a mean diameter of 8 nm have been excited by applying a polarizing field in the plane of the nanoSQUID loop. The field dependence of the nanoparticle magnetization at T = 4.2 K shows magnetic hysteresis. Magnetic relaxation measurements are reported and compared with those obtained by using a commercial measurement system.

A new fabrication process of superconducting Nb tunnel junctions with ultralow leakage current for X-ray detection

A new fabrication process is presented to make Nb/Al/AlOx/Nb superconducting tunnel junctions with ultralow subgap leakage current at low temperatures below 4.2 K for X-ray detection. A Nb anodization process has been adopted to make electric insulation at the periphery of an ultrathin AlOx tunnel barrier through use in combination with the conventional SiO self-aligned insulation process. The temperature dependence of the subgap current of the junctions fabricated by the present process is in good agreement with that predicted by the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) theory, while junctions made by the conventional process show a weak temperature dependence of the subgap current. In addition, the Vm value of the junction fabricated by the present process was found to be more than 3000 mV at 1.2 K. It has been clarified that the anodization process introduces improvements to make the subgap leakage current extremely small in the temperature range from 4.2 K down to 1.2 K.

Superconducting device with transistor-like properties including large current amplification

We have fabricated and studied a stacked superconducting double tunnel junction device with transistor-like properties. The intermediate electrode is a bilayer consisting of a Nb film together with an Al film that acts as a quasiparticle trap. Large current gains of more than 50 are observed at 4.2 K when the Al layer is normal. The operation is highly directional. Results are explained on the basis of trapping of quasiparticles from a superconductor into a normal metal, together with a conversion of relaxation energy into electronic excitations. Similar devices should have wide applications in low-temperature measurement and detection systems.

Surface sensitivity of Rayleigh anomalies in metallic nanogratings

Sensing schemes based on Rayleigh anomalies (RAs) in metal nanogratings exhibit an impressive bulk refractive-index sensitivity determined solely by the grating period. However, the surface sensitivity (which is a key figure of merit for label-free chemical and biological sensing) needs to be carefully investigated to assess the actual applicability of this technological platform. In this paper, we explore the sensitivity of RAs in metal nanogratings when local refractive-index changes are considered. Our studies reveal that the surface sensitivity deteriorates up to two orders of magnitude by comparison with the corresponding bulk value; interestingly, this residual sensitivity is not attributable to the wavelength shift of the RAs, which are completely insensitive to local refractive-index changes, but rather to a strictly connected plasmonic effect. Our analysis for increasing overlay thickness reveals an ultimate surface sensitivity that approaches the RA bulk value, which turns out to be the upper-limit of grating-assisted surface-plasmon-polariton sensitivities.

Supercurrent decay in nano-superconducting quantum interference devices for intrinsic magnetic flux resolution

Supercurrent decay measurements of nano-superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) based on niobium constrictions (Dayem bridges) are reported. Such measurements provide useful information for applications that employ the SQUID as a trigger where the sensor works on the zero voltage state. The nanodevice consists of a niobium thin film (30 nm thick) ring with a hole side length of 200 nm including two Dayem bridges of 120×200 nm2. The measurements of the switching current distribution from the zero voltage state and the related escape rate, as function of the bias current, have been performed by a low noise fly time technique. The experimental data have shown an intrinsic current fluctuation less than 0.2% of the critical current at liquid helium temperature, corresponding to an intrinsic sensor magnetic flux resolution of a few mΦ0. The theoretical predictions based on the thermal escape process theory in the moderately damping limit are in a reasonable agreement with the experimental data.

Nb-based Josephson junction devices for nuclear radiation detection: Design and preliminary experimental results

In this work we apply the Electrotechnical Laboratory Josephson junction fabrication technology to realize an integrated device for nuclear radiation detection. We have integrated in a single 5×5 mm2 chip 240 Josephson tunnel junctions (JTJs) having various geometrical configurations and interconnections, in order to investigate both the effects of various detection geometrical configurations and the fabrication process uniformity and reproducibility. The junction quality was extensively tested by measurements of the current‐voltage characteristics, down to T=1.2 K, showing an unexpected saturation of the Vm quality factor. Preliminary results concerning the response to α‐particle radiation of these samples have been obtained. Pulse height and rise time spectra of both ‘‘island’’ type and series connected JTJs are reported. Signals generated by nuclear radiation have been observed at temperatures up to 2 K, where a reduction of the collected charge occurs because of the enhancement of the recombination ra...

Optical fiber meta-tips

We report on the first demonstration of a proof-of-principle optical fiber ‘meta-tip’, which integrates a phase-gradient plasmonic metasurface on the fiber tip. For illustration and validation purposes, we present numerical and experimental results pertaining to various prototypes implementing generalized forms of the Snell’s transmission/reflection laws at near-infrared wavelengths. In particular, we demonstrate several examples of beam steering and coupling with surface waves, in fairly good agreement with theory. Our results constitute a first step toward the integration of unprecedented (metasurface-enabled) light-manipulation capabilities in optical-fiber technology. By further enriching the emergent ‘lab-on-fiber’ framework, this may pave the way for the widespread diffusion of optical metasurfaces in real-world applications to communications, signal processing, imaging and sensing.

Impedimetric Label-Free Immunosensor on Disposable Modified Screen-Printed Electrodes for Ochratoxin A

An impedimetric label-free immunosensor on disposable screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCE) for quantitative determination of Ochratoxin A (OTA) has been developed. After modification of the SPCE surface with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), the anti-OTA was immobilized on the working electrode through a cysteamine layer. After each coating step, the modified surfaces were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The capacitance was chosen as the best parameter that describes the reproducible change in electrical properties of the electrode surface at different OTA concentrations and it was used to investigate the analytical parameters of the developed immunosensor. Under optimized conditions, the immunosensor showed a linear relationship between 0.3 and 20 ng/mL with a low detection limit of 0.25 ng/mL, making it suitable to control OTA content in many common food products. Lastly, the immunosensor was used to measure OTA in red wine samples and the results were compared with those registered with a competitive ELISA kit. The immunosensor was sensitive to OTA lower than 2 μg/kg, which represents the lower acceptable limit of OTA established by European legislation for common food products.

Magnetic properties of annular Josephson junctions for radiation detection: Experimental results

We report on experimental results about Josephson junctions for radiation detection with an annular geometry. The observed suppression of the critical Josephson current and the presence of one single resonance step in the current–voltage characteristic, as predicted by the theory, strongly support the idea that this geometry could be very convenient for radiation detection. The results were obtained when one single magnetic fluxon was trapped in the central hole, and they represent the first experimental confirmation of the theoretical predictions in the case of annular junctions with finite ring width.We report on experimental results about Josephson junctions for radiation detection with an annular geometry. The observed suppression of the critical Josephson current and the presence of one single resonance step in the current–voltage characteristic, as predicted by the theory, strongly support the idea that this geometry could be very convenient for radiation detection. The results were obtained when one single magnetic fluxon was trapped in the central hole, and they represent the first experimental confirmation of the theoretical predictions in the case of annular junctions with finite ring width.

Transport properties in Tl‐Ba‐Ca‐Cu‐O grain boundary junctions on SrTiO3 bicrystal substrates

We have investigated the electrical properties of Tl‐Ba‐Ca‐Cu‐O high‐Tc superconductor bicrystal grain boundary junctions. The behavior of the transport parameters is very similar to those obtained in YBaCuO7−δ junctions. In particular, the temperature dependence of the critical current and the scaling behavior of the critical current density as a function of the misorientation angle were analyzed. Relatively good control of the transport parameters as a function of the misorientation angle has been achieved. The current‐voltage characteristics showed a resistively shunted junction model‐like behavior at large angles (θ≥20°); at lower angles, the characteristics were more flux‐flow like. Preliminary results on noise characteristics are also presented.