Design and performance of an HTS current comparator for charged-particle-beam measurements

Superconducting direct current comparators are well established for operation at liquid helium temperatures. We have begun investigations into HTS Cryogenic Current Comparator designs, which incorporate a flux concentrator and readout SQUID also made from HTS. This work aims to produce a system capable of high accuracy, non-invasive, measurements of an ion or electron beam current in the range /spl sim/10 nA to 1 mA. We outline a proposal for a precise determination of the faraday fundamental constant, using purely physical systems, and employing an HTS CCC for charged particle beam current measurement. In addition estimates of the potential current sensitivity are reported, based on measurement results of a prototype system, and proof-of-principle measurements of ion beam currents are described. The design and construction of a robust, compact cryogenic unit suitable for further, more realistic, field trials are discussed.