High-resolution scanning SQUID microscope

We have combined a novel low temperature positioning mechanism with a single-chip miniature superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer to form an extremely sensitive new magnetic microscope, with a demonstrated spatial resolution of ∼10 μm. The design and operation of this scanning SQUID microscope will be described. The absolute calibration of this instrument with an ideal point source, a single vortex trapped in a superconducting film, will be presented, and a representative application will be discussed.© 1995 American Institute of Physics.