Scanning SQUID microscopy

<p>In <a href="/facts/Condensed_matter_physics/EBVI5nmL">condensed matter physics</a>, scanning SQUID microscopy is a technique where a <a href="/facts/Superconducting_quantum_interference_device/2FEvJ5wG">superconducting quantum interference device</a> (SQUID) is used to image surface <a href="/facts/Magnetic_field/Ta8Ev588">magnetic field</a> strength with <a href="/facts/Micrometre/7eDFxD2L">micrometre</a>-scale <a href="/facts/Image_resolution/NAL4uFV9">resolution</a>. A tiny SQUID is mounted onto a tip which is then <a href="/facts/Rasterisation/QXfz5t7E">rastered</a> near the surface of the sample to be measured. As the SQUID is the most sensitive detector of magnetic fields available and can be constructed at submicrometre widths via <a href="/facts/Lithography/LFwpJbE7">lithography</a>, the scanning SQUID microscope allows magnetic fields to be measured with unparalleled resolution and sensitivity. The first scanning SQUID microscope was built in 1992 by Black <i>et al.</i> Since then the technique has been used to confirm <a href="/facts/Unconventional_superconductor/smImcsMy">unconventional superconductivity</a> in several <a href="/facts/High-temperature_superconductors/MXtx2gvV">high-temperature superconductors</a> including <a href="/facts/YBCO/hkFJMegk">YBCO</a> and <a href="/facts/BSCCO/e1bMFnMY">BSCCO</a> compounds.
</p>

Scanning SQUID microscopy open-in-new

Scanning SQUID microscopy