Imaging Flaws under Insulation Using a Squid Magnetometer

Abstract

<p>Superconducting QUantum Interference Devices (SQUID) are the most sensitive instruments known for the measurement of magnetic fields. An all niobium two-hole homemade SQUID can easily achieve sensitivities of 10-4 Ф0/√Hz (Ф0 = 2.07 × 10-15 Wb). Our complete system has a sensitivity of 50 × 10-15 Tesla √Hz, and more sophisticated systems can reach sensitivities one order of magnitude higher. Due to its high sensitivity, and to the advent of high temperature superconductivity, SQUID systems presents new opportunities for its use in nondestructive evaluation of electrically conducting and ferromagnetic structures, mainly when the area to be inspected is difficult to be reached.</p>