Direct-coupled high T/sub c/ DC SQUID gradiometer with single layer YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7/

We have studied first derivative high T/sub c/ dc SQUID (Superconducting QUantum Interference Device) gradiometer from a single layer of Y/sub 1/Ba/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7/ thin film using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) and argon ion beam etching method. The planar gradiometer consists of two pickup loops coupled directly to dc SQUID with an inductance of about 20 pH in the center of the structure. The gradiometer contains step-edge type junctions of 3 /spl mu/m width and is made on the SrTiO/sub 3/ substrate of 12/spl times/25 mm/sup 2/ in size. The SQUID showed RSJ type junction I-V characteristics with T/sub c/ of 86 K and swing voltage of /spl sim/4 /spl mu/V at 79.3 K. The magnetometer was sensitive only to the gradient of the magnetic field with well balanced null response to uniform fields.