Magnetic Microscopy Using Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices

项目描述(技术)：该项目将开发一种新的测量仪器，称为磁通显微镜，它基于超导量子干涉装置(SQUID)传感器。其目的是获得表面附近的磁场图像，分辨率为微米级。该仪器应能够扫描侧面1厘米的区域，分辨小至1毫米的特征，并能感知小至1992年12月22日皮特斯拉的磁场。该仪器将能够检测到小至12皮安的电流。新仪器将用于超导电性的研究，并将解决诸如单个涡旋的钉扎和运动等问题。此外，该仪器还将用于获取一系列磁性材料以及工作微电路的图像。项目描述(非技术)：该项目继续基于表面显微镜技术的仪器革命，如扫描隧道显微镜和原子力显微镜。在这种情况下，一种新的表面显微镜正在被开发出来，它不仅可以探测原子的位置，还可以探测原子和分子产生的磁场。它将感知表面原子和次表面原子。这种被称为磁通显微镜的溶胶将被用来研究超导和磁性，也将被用来检测工作微电路中的电流流动。这项技术将提供有关超导和磁性基本方面的新信息，并将提供一种新的诊断工具来改善微电路性能。

Project Description (Technical): This project will develop a new measuring instrument, called a magnetic flux microscope, which is based on a SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) sensor. The objective is to obtain images of magnetic fields near surfaces with a resolution at the micron length scale. The instrument should be able to scan an area one centimeter on a side, resolve features as small as 1 mm and sense magnetic fields as small as 10 December 22, 1992picoTesla. The instrument will be able to sense currents as small as 12 picoAmperes. The new instrument will be used in investigations of superconductivity, and will address issues such as the pinning and motion of individual vortices. In addition, the instrument will be used to obtain images of a range of magnetic materials, as well as working microcircuits. Project Description (Non-Technical): This project continues the instrumental revolution based on surface microscopy techniques such as scanning tunneling microscopy and atomic force microscopy. In this case a new surface microscopy is being developed to sense not atomic positions but the magnetic fields produced by the atoms and molecules. It will sense surface atoms and subsurface atoms as well. The sol-called magnetic flux microscope will be used to study superconductivity, magnetism and will also be used to sense current flow in work microcircuits. The technique should provide new information about the fundamental aspects of superconductivity and magnetism and will provide a new diagnostic tool to improve microcircuit performance.