title: Scanning superconducting quantum interference device on a tip for magnetic imaging of nanoscale phenomena.
abstract: We describe a new type of scanning probe microscope based on a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) that resides on the apex of a sharp tip. The SQUID-on-tip is glued to a quartz tuning fork which allows scanning at a tip-sample separation of a few nm. The magnetic flux sensitivity of the SQUID is 1.8 μΦ(0)/√Hz and the spatial resolution is about 200 nm, which can be further improved. This combination of high sensitivity, spatial resolution, bandwidth, and the very close proximity to the sample provides a powerful tool for study of dynamic magnetic phenomena on the nanoscale. The potential of the SQUID-on-tip microscope is demonstrated by imaging of the vortex lattice and of the local ac magnetic response in superconductors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel. amit.finkler@weizmann.ac.il
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Finkler
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vasyukov
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Segev
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ne'eman
authors.forename: E O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Lachman
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Rappaport
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Myasoedov
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zeldov
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Huber