Noise properties of high-<i>T_c</i> superconducting flux transformers fabricated using chemical-mechanical polishing

Abstract

Reproducible high-temperature superconducting multilayer flux transformers were fabricated using chemical mechanical polishing. The measured magnetic field noise of the flip-chip magnetometer based on one such flux transformer with a 9 × 9 mm2 pickup loop coupled to a bicrystal dc SQUID was 15 fT/Hz1/2 above 2 kHz. We present an investigation of excess 1/f noise observed at low frequencies and its relationship with the microstructure of the interlayer connections within the flux transformer. The developed high-Tc SQUID magnetometers may be advantageous in ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging and, with improved low frequency noise, magnetoencephalography applications.