Superconducting multiple loop quantum interferometers

Abstract

We present experimental results on the magnetic field B dependent voltage response V(B) of a number of N resistively shunted Josephson junctions connected in parallel by a multiple loop network. For an appropriate distribution of the array loop sizes such networks constitute superconducting quantum interference filters (SQIFs) with voltage response functions V(B) that are not Φ0-periodic. The voltage response of SQIFs is a unique function around a global minimum at B = 0 that has a high sensitivity and a low noise level. In contrast to conventional superconducting quantum interference devices, SQIFs can be directly employed as highly sensitive magnetometers allowing the absolute measurement of magnetic fields. The experimental results are in very good agreement with the theoretical predictions on which basis the SQIF has been fabricated. All findings suggest that superconducting quantum interference filters may allow the design of novel superconducting devices.