NEW TYPE OF ULTRA-SENSITIVE MAGNETOMETER MADE FROM HIGH TC THIN FILM

WE PROPOSE TO FABRICATE A NEW TYPE OF SOLID STATE MAGNETIC FIELD TO VOLTAGE TRANSDUCER FROM THIN-FILMS OF THE HIGH-TC SUPERCONDUCTOR BI2, CA2SR2CU3OX (BSCCO). WE BELIEVE THAT WHEN OPERATING AT 80K - 100K, THIS DEVICE WILL HAVE A SENSITIVITY BETTER THAN STATE OF THE ART OPTICALLY PUMPED MAGNETOMETERS. IN PHASE I, WE WILL DEPOSIT THIN FILMS OF BSCCO, FABRIATE SIMPLE TEST STRUCTURES AND MEASURE AND FULLY CHARACTERIZE THE ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES RELEVANT FOR THE NEW SENSOR. WE WILL ALSO ESTIMATE THE SENSITIVITY OF A COMPLETE OPTIMIZED SENSOR TO BE BUILT IN PHASE II.