Optimization of pick-up coils for weakly damped SQUID gradiometers
- Available Online: 01/01/2018
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Key words:
- superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) gradiometer /
- spatial resolution /
- dipole sensitivity /
- signal-to-noise ratio
Abstract: The performance of a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) gradiometer is always determined by its pick-up coil geometry,such as baseline and radius.In this paper,based on the expressions for the coupled flux threading a magnetometer obtained by Wikswo,we studied how the gradiometer performance parameters,including the current dipole sensitivity,spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR),are affected by its pick-up coil via MatLab simulation.Depending on the simulation results,the optimal pick-up coil design region for a certain gradiometer can be obtained.To verify the simulation results,we designed and fabricated several first-order gradiometers based on the weakly damped SQUID with different pick-up coils by applying superconducting connection.The experimental measurements were conducted on a simple current dipole in a magnetically shielding room.The measurement results are well in coincidence with the simulation ones,indicating that the simulation model is useful in specific pick-up coil design.