Electromagnetic nondestructive evaluation: moving HTS SQUIDs, inducing field nulling and dual frequency measurements

We have previously shown that simple, single layer HTS SQUIDs can be used effectively in electromagnetic nondestructive evaluation (NDE) using eddy current techniques in a magnetically unshielded environment. HTS SQUID systems for NDE applications are expected to be small and portable allowing non-stationary measurements to be carried out in the Earth's field above a stationary sample. Here we present application-oriented results showing the ability of our HTS electronic gradiometer to cope with the movement of the sensors above a series of simulated flaws in aircraft grade aluminum samples. To permit the detection of fine surface and subsurface structures we have applied active field nulling to the two SQUIDs to increase the effective signal to noise ratio. The excitation signal is applied via a non-superconducting coil to provide a lower field environment for each device. We also present results using a dual frequency eddy current technique to allow depth profiling of flaws in multilayer structures.