Beam current sensor
A current sensor for measuring the dc component of a beam of charged particles employs a superconducting pick-up loop probe, with twisted superconducting leads in combination with a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) detector. The pick-up probe is in the form of a single-turn loop, or a cylindrical toroid, through which the beam is directed and within which a first magnetic flux is excluded by the Meisner effect. The SQUID detector acts as a flux-to-voltage converter in providing a current to the pick-up loop so as to establish a second magnetic flux within the electrode which nulls out the first magnetic flux. A feedback voltage within the SQUID detector represents the beam current of the particles which transit the pick-up loop. Meisner effect currents prevent changes in the magnetic field within the toroidal pick-up loop and produce a current signal independent of the beam's cross-section and its position within the toroid, while the combination of superconducting elements provides current measurement sensitivities in the nano-ampere range.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-76CH03000
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy
- Patent Number(s):
- None
- Application Number:
- ON: DE85011600
- OSTI ID:
- 5756047
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Beam current sensor
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Related Subjects
440300 -- Miscellaneous Instruments-- (-1989)
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AMMETERS
BEAM CURRENTS
CURRENTS
ELECTRIC MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FLUXMETERS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MICROWAVE EQUIPMENT
SQUID DEVICES
SUPERCONDUCTING COILS
SUPERCONDUCTING DEVICES