An ultra low-noise radio frequency amplifier based on a dc SQUID

We have developed an extremely sensitive radio frequency amplifier based on the dc superconducting quantum interference device (dc SQUID). Unlike a conventional semiconductor amplifier, a SQUID can be cooled to ultra-low temperatures (100 mK or less) and thus potentially achieve a much lower noise temperature. In a conventional SQUID amplifier, where the integrated input coil is operated as a lumped element, parasitic capacitance between the coil and the SQUID washer limits the frequency up to which a substantial gain can be achieved to a few hundred MHz. This problem can be circumvented by operating the input coil of the SQUID as a microstrip resonator: instead of connecting the input signal open. Such amplifiers have gains of 15 dB or more at frequencies up to 3 GHz. If required, the resonant frequency of the microstrip can be tuned by means of a varactor diode connected across the otherwise open end of the resonator. The noise temperature of microstrip SQUID amplifiers was measured to be between $0.5\;K\;{\pm}\;0.3\;K$ at a frequency of 80 MHz and $1.5\;K\;{\pm}\;1.2\;K$ at 1.7 GHz, when the SQUID was cooled to 4.2 K. An even lower noise temperature can be achieved by cooling the SQUID to about 0.4 K. In this case, a noise temperature of $100\;mK\;{\pm}\;20\;mK$ was achieved at 90 MHz, and of about $120\;{\pm}\;100\;mK$ at 440 MHz.