Quantum Roulette Noise Thermometer: Progress and prospects

A novel form of primary thermometer called the Quantum Roulette Noise Thermometer (QRNT) has been fabricated and is presently undergoing feasibility studies. This device utilises flux quantisation in a high temperature superconducting ring interrupted by two closely spaced, parallel, Josephson junctions. Several devices have been fabricated and different methods investigated for measuring the statistical distribution of trapped flux states. We report the results of these endeavours with emphasis on a method for suppressing I/sub c/ by applying an r.f. field to the junctions.