Characterization of a dc SQUID based accelerometer circuit for a superconducting gravity gradiometer

摘要

A demonstrator set-up to test superconductingcomponents has been designed and 6bncated in order tocharacterize their functionality for use in a superconductinggravity gradiometer. The displacement of a freely oscillatinglevitated niobium proof mass in this acceleration transducer ismeasured inductively and read out by a direct currentsuperconducting quantum interference device. It has beenconfirmed experimentally that the oscillation frequency depends onthe current of the levitation magnet that is operated in persistent-current mode. The results allow us to establish testing andoperational procedures that can be used in a more complexmultichannel system to confirm functionality and to adjust thelevitated proof mass.