Toward ultra high magnetic field sensitivity YBa2Cu3O7 - δ nanowire based superconducting quantum interference devices

We report on measurements of YBa2Cu3O7- ? nanowire based Superconducting QUantum Interference Devices (nanoSQUIDs) directly coupled to an in-plane pick-up loop. The pick-up loop, which is coupled predominantly via kinetic inductance to the SQUID loop, allows for a significant increase of the effective area of our devices. Its role is systematically investigated and the increase in the effective area is successfully compared with numerical simulations. Large effective areas, together with the ultra low white flux noise below 1 ? ? 0 / Hz, make our nanoSQUIDs very attractive as magnetic field sensors