27 ℏ SQUID amplifier operating with high- Q resonant input load

Abstract

We have extended to ultracryogenic temperatures the complete noise characterization of a low-noise two-stage superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) amplifier developed for resonant gravitational wave detectors. The additive current noise is evaluated from open input measurements. To evaluate the back action voltage noise, the SQUID is strongly coupled to a high-Q macroscopic electrical resonator operating at 11.7 kHz. From these measurements, we estimate a minimum noise temperature of 15 μK, corresponding to 27 times the quantum-limited noise temperature. Implications of this result for the sensitivity of resonant gravitational wave detectors are briefly discussed. © 2006 American Institute of Physics.