Flux-trapping characterization for superconducting electronics using a cryogenic widefield N- V diamond microscope

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Authors: Rohan T. Kapur, Pauli Kehayias, Sergey K. Tolpygo, A. Libson, George Haldeman, Collin N. Muniz, Alex Wynn, Nathaniel O’Connor, Neel Parmar, Ryan B. Johnson, Andrew C. Maccabe, John Cummings
+3 more Justin Mallek, Danielle Braje, Jennifer M. Schloss
Cited by: 5
References: 44

Abstract

Magnetic flux trapping is a significant hurdle limiting the reliability and scalability of superconducting electronics, yet tools for imaging flux vortices remain slow or insensitive. We present a cryogenic widefield NV-diamond magnetic microscope capable of rapid, micrometer-scale imaging of flux trapping in superconducting devices. Using this technique, we measure vortex expulsion fields in Nb thin films and patterned strips, revealing a crossover in expulsion behavior between $10$ and $20~μ$m strip widths. The observed scaling agrees with theoretical models and suggests the influence of film defects on vortex expulsion dynamics. This instrument enables high-throughput magnetic characterization of superconducting materials and circuits, providing new insight for flux mitigation strategies in scalable superconducting electronics.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Physics of Superconductivity and Magnetism Diamond and Carbon-based Materials Research Atomic and Subatomic Physics Research

Publication details

Journal / source
Physical Review Applied
Publisher
American Physical Society (APS)
Volume
25
Issue
4
Publication date
13 March 2026
Language
EN