Noise, junction characteristics, and magnetic field dependencies of bicrystal grain boundary junction rf-SQUIDs

Bicrystal grain boundary (GB) Josephson junctions and rf-SQUIDʹs were made of 200 nm thick PLD YBCO films on bicrystal SrTiO/sub 3/ substrates. The junction characteristics were studied to investigate optimal parameters in the rf-SQUID layout designs and the limits imposed by the technology. The I/sub c/ of 3 to 8 (mu)m wide test junctions scaled with the junction widths, showing clear linear RSJ-like I-V characteristics at 77 K. All the junctions showed hysteretic RCSJ-like behavior at very low temperatures. Classical Josephson flux motion type (long junction) nonlinearity in I-V curves of all the junctions was also observed at lower temperatures with systematic dependence on the junction widths. Measurements of the magnetic field dependence of the I/sub c/ of the junctions resulted in junction width dependent well-defined Fraunhoferpattern like characteristics. The obtained characteristics of the junctions led to feasible criteria for the rf-SQUID layouts with desired device characteristics. Rf-SQUIDʹs were made using designs for optimal performance at 77 K while avoiding large superconducting weak links across the substrate GB. Devices with low noise characteristics and junction field sensitivities proper for operation in environmental background magnetic fields were obtained. A nonsystematic spread of optimal working temperature of the SQUIDʹs were also observed which is associated to the spread of the junction parameters caused by the defects at the GB of substrates.