Operation of a geophysical HTS SQUID system in sub-Arctic environments

Author

Leslie, K.E. ; Binks, R.A. ; Foley, C.P. ; Thorn, R.G. ; Roberts, M.J. ; Du, J. ; Mitchell, E.E. ; Lam, S.K.H. ; Lewis, C.J. ; Millar, C. ; Osmond, R.T.

Author_Institution

Telecommun. & Ind. Phys., CSIRO, Lindfield, NSW, Australia

Volume

13

Issue

2

fYear

2003

fDate

6/1/2003 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

759

Lastpage

762

Abstract

Transient ElectroMagnetic geophysical prospecting using SQUID sensors has demonstrated potential for improved target detection at late response times compared to conventional coil sensors. We have developed a three-axis, rf SQUID sensor system which has been extensively operated in sub-Arctic conditions by a geophysics contractor. Due to the harsh environmental and operating conditions, the system is designed to operate in sub-zero temperatures (as low as minus 40°C) and is ruggedly packaged whilst still remaining quite portable. Auto-tuning of the rf electronics has been implemented by adjusting the rf SQUID control parameters via a microprocessor controller. After a small amount of training, regular field crews have operated two of these systems in the field continuously for periods of months at a time. An example, comparing SQUID B field data to coil dB/dt data, is presented in this paper.

Keywords

SQUID magnetometers; geophysical prospecting; high-temperature superconductors; -40 degC; Transient ElectroMagnetic geophysical prospecting; auto-tuning; high temperature superconductor; magnetic field measurement; microprocessor controller; sub-Arctic environment; target detection; three-axis RF SQUID sensor; Coils; Delay; Electromagnetic transients; Electronics packaging; Geophysics; High temperature superconductors; Object detection; SQUIDs; Sensor systems; Temperature sensors;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Applied Superconductivity, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1051-8223

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TASC.2003.814032

Filename

1211714