High temperature superconducting SQUID applications

Full text: Since the discovery in 1987 of the high temperature superconducting ceramic, YBaCuO, CSIRO has undertaken research to develop Josephson junctions, superconducting quantum interference devices, SQUIDs, and various applications of these devices particularly in the mineral exploration industry. In this paper, we will review the development of a unique step edge grain boundary Josephson junction technology which as been incorporated in our RF and DC SQUIDs. We will then describe the development of SQUID applications for mineral exploration reporting on our understanding of the device behaviour in the earth's and changing magnetic fields and the requirement for detailed system development and field trials. We will then give an overview of SQUID applications in ground based and airborne transient electromagnetics (TEM), a spinning rock magnetometer and an update on our airborne magnetic tensor gradiometer (GETMAGTM)