Hao, L; Macfarlane, J C*; Josephs-Franks, P W; Gallop, J C (2003) Inductive superconducting transition-edge photon and particle detector. IEEE Trans. Appl. Supercond., 13 (2). pp. 622-625.

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Abstract

We propose a novel type of sensor where the sensitive element is an isolated, passive absorber of extremely low thermal mass, maintained close to its superconducting-normal transition, and strongly inductively coupled to a SQUID sensor. Incoming particles or photons are sensed in terms of transient change in the inductive coupling, rather than a change in resistance. Energy sensitivity and response time can then be defined by the thermal mass of the absorber and its thermal contact with a substrate, independently of any electrical connections. An ultimate energy resolution of order of 10-25 J/Hz is theoretically estimated, based upon the properties of the SQUID and the dimensions of the absorber. Calculations of the thermal properties of the absorber suggest that the response time of 1ns should be feasible, although in practice this will be limited by the bandwidth of the SQUID amplifier. Proof-of-principle measurements on a prototype device are presented, where a SQUID flux noise level of 4 x 10-7 fluxon/Hz1/ was achieved and laser-induced superconducting-normal transitions of thin-film Pb-Sn absorber were clearly demonstrated.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	detection
Subjects:	Quantum Phenomena Quantum Phenomena > Nanophysics
Last Modified:	02 Feb 2018 13:16
URI:	https://eprintspublications.npl.co.uk/id/eprint/2983