Hans-Georg Meyer

Implementation of a quantum metamaterial using superconducting qubits

The key issue for the implementation of a metamaterial is to demonstrate the existence of collective modes corresponding to coherent oscillations of the meta-atoms. Atoms of natural materials interact with electromagnetic fields as quantum two-level systems. Artificial quantum two-level systems can be made, for example, using superconducting nonlinear resonators cooled down to their ground state. Here we perform an experiment in which 20 of these quantum meta-atoms, so-called flux qubits, are embedded into a microwave resonator. We observe the dispersive shift of the resonator frequency imposed by the qubit metamaterial and the collective resonant coupling of eight qubits. The realized prototype represents a mesoscopic limit of naturally occurring spin ensembles and as such we demonstrate the AC-Zeeman shift of a resonant qubit ensemble. The studied system constitutes the implementation of a basic quantum metamaterial in the sense that many artificial atoms are coupled collectively to the quantized mode of a photon field.

High-T/sub c/ superconducting quantum interference filters for sensitive magnetometers

We present several kinds of Superconducting Quantum Interference Filters (SQIFs) which are all realized with high-T/sub c/ superconductors. All SQIFs use the same configuration of 30 loops of different size. The properties of these SQIF types - serial arrays, parallel arrays, and a combination of both - are discussed concerning their usefulness for magnetometry. These properties are the formation of the desired single voltage peak, its peak voltage and full width at half maximum, and the magnetic field noise. Concerning all parameters an improvement can be achieved with SQIFs of all types compared to a single SQUID.

Characteristics and performance of an intensity-modulated optically pumped magnetometer in comparison to the classical M x magnetometer

We compare the performance of two methods for the synchronization of the atomic spins in optically pumped magnetometers: intensity modulation of the pump light and the classical M(x) method using B(1) field modulation. Both techniques use the same set-up and measure the resulting features of the light after passing a micro-fabricated Cs cell. The intensity-modulated pumping shows several advantages: better noise-limited magnetic field sensitivity, misalignment between pumping and spin synchronization is excluded, and magnetometer arrays without any cross-talk can be easily set up.

Orthogonal sequencing multiplexer for superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors with RSFQ electronics readout circuit

We propose an efficient multiplexing technique for superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors based on an orthogonal detector bias switching method enabling the extraction of the average count rate of a set of detectors by one readout line. We implemented a system prototype where the SNSPDs are connected to an integrated cryogenic readout and a pulse merger system based on rapid single flux quantum (RSFQ) electronics. We discuss the general scalability of this concept, analyze the environmental requirements which define the resolvability and the accuracy and demonstrate the feasibility of this approach with experimental results for a SNSPD array with four pixels.

Toward high-sensitivity and high-resolution submillimeter-wave video imaging

Against a background of newly emerged security threats, the well-established idea of utilizing submillimeter-wave radiation for personal security screening applications has recently evolved into a promising technology. Possible application scenarios demand sensitive, fast, flexible and high-quality imaging techniques. At present, best results are obtained by passive imaging using cryogenic microbolometers as radiation detectors. Building upon the concept of a passive submillimeter-wave stand-off video camera introduced previously, we present the evolution of this concept into a practical application-ready imaging device. This has been achieved using a variety of measures such as optimizing the detector parameters, improving the scanning mechanism, increasing the sampling speed, and enhancing the image generation software. The camera concept is based on a Cassegrain-type mirror optics, an optomechanical scanner, an array of 20 superconducting transition-edge sensors operated at a temperature of 450 to 650 mK, and a closed-cycle cryogen-free cooling system. The main figures of the system include: a frequency band of 350±40 GHz, an object distance of 7 to 10 m, a circular field of view of 1.05 m diameter, and a spatial resolution in the image center of 2 cm at 8.5 m distance, a noise equivalent temperature difference of 0.1 to 0.4 K, and a maximum frame rate of 10 Hz.

Instrumentation for simultaneous detection of low field NMR and biomagnetic signals

We have built and demonstrated a simple system with open geometry that measures biomagnetic signals such as magnetoencephalogram (MEG), magnetocardiogram (MCG) and magnetomyogram (MMG) simultaneously with low field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) free induction decay signals (FID). The system employs LT/sub C/ SQUID gradiometers and can operate with proton Larmor frequency in the 80 Hz-10 kHz range. A pre-polarizing field of up to 60 mT is generated by resistive coils. Two different types of SQUID gradiometers were used: a tangential thin-film planar first-order gradiometer and an axial second-order gradiometer. The gradiometers were placed inside a fiberglass dewar at about 1 cm distance from a subject. All measurements were performed inside a single-layer magnetic shielded room. This system is the prototype for a system that will ultimately be capable of measuring biomagnetic signals together with magnetic resonance images (MRI).

SQUID gradiometers for archaeometry

The mapping of the Earths magnetic field or field gradient is a proven method in surface exploration and archaeometry. Caesium vapour magnetometers show the best magnetic field resolution of commercial devices, but their sampling frequency is limited to 10 Hz. Using SQUIDs it is possible to achieve the same or even better magnetic field resolution with a sampling frequency as high as 100 Hz or more. This allows significantly shorter acquisition times, which is essential for the mapping of large objects. In this paper we check the performance of our developed systems on a neolithic double-ring ditch enclosure near Weimar, Germany. We compare mappings of this area using an electronic caesium gradiometer, an electronic HTS SQUID gradiometer and an integrated planar LTS SQUID gradiometer. With all three systems the magnetic pattern of the ditch is visible; however, the electronic HTS gradiometer shows disturbances of the same order of magnitude as the gradient signal of the ditch, due to an insufficient common mode rejection whilst being moved. The planar LTS SQUID gradiometer shows superior performance. Its mapping shows a much better contrast and features that are not visible in the mapping of the caesium gradiometer.

Recent Developments in Superconductor Digital Electronics Technology at FLUXONICS Foundry

In Europe, the FLUXONICS Foundry develops fabrication processes and design kits for superconductor digital and mixed-signal circuits. We describe the implementation of the “European Roadmap for Superconductor Electronics” into the recent foundry process for superconductor digital electronics. Following the hierarchical cell-based design strategy, we developed a design kit with basic cells. We present experimental results of the process quality, the verified operation margins of the library cells, and the results of low- and high-speed investigations of test circuits. The process is suitable for the integration of complex digital and mixed-signal circuits for smart multichannel superconductor sensor applications with a digital interface.

High slew rate, ultrastable direct-coupled readout for dc superconducting quantum interference devices

A very fast and thermostable readout electronics for dc superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) is presented. The authors have applied a concept which gives them the opportunity to combine several, at first sight contradictory, important parameters for the SQUID system user. With their flux-locked-loop electronics they could reach more than 16MΦ0∕s slew rate while using a 1.3m cable between the electronics and a conventional low transition temperature SQUID (with a maximum peak-peak voltage of the flux-to-voltage transfer function of ⩾63μV). By making use of thermocurrent compensation in the first stage of the amplifier they have achieved a thermal drift of about 5nV∕K for a temperature range between 0 and 65°C. The system demonstrated a white noise voltage level of ∼0.32nV∕Hz1∕2, with a flicker noise corner frequency of about 0.1Hz.

Highly balanced single-layer high-temperature superconductor SQUID gradiometer freely movable within the Earth's magnetic field

We developed a gradiometer system based on a single-layer high-temperature superconductor dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), which can be freely moved within the Earths magnetic field during measurement. The problem of circumferential shielding currents in the parallel gradiometer pick-up loop is solved by the use of an appropriately designed magnetometer SQUID integrated on the gradiometer chip. The magnetometers feedback coil of the flux-locked loop is laid out as a small Helmholtz coil pair, thus keeping the homogeneous magnetic field constant for both the magnetometer and the gradiometer. Therefore, the balance of the directly coupled gradiometer SQUID is enhanced from 100 up to 3800. The noise limited magnetic field gradient resolution of 45 pT m−1 Hz−1/2 is preserved down to frequencies of several Hz even after strong motion in the Earths magnetic field.