Dc-SQUID magnetometers and gradiometers on the basis of quasiplanar ramp-type Josephson junctions

Abstract

Nonaqueous Br-ethanol chemical etching was successfully used for the preparation of the Josephson junctions, vias and crossovers in magnetometers including flux transformers. PrBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-x/ thin films were used for the barrier layer in the Josephson junctions of the SQUIDs and as an insulation in the junctions and in the flux transformers. Dc-SQUID magnetometers with small inductances and even without flux antennas were used for NDE applications which mainly require a high dynamic range. Highly sensitive devices were prepared with flip-chip flux antennas. An ac-bias SQUID electronics significantly improves the sensitivity of the magnetometers at low frequencies.