Nonlinear induction detection of electron spin resonance

We present an approach to the induction detection of electron spin resonance (ESR) signals exploiting the nonlinear properties of a superconducting resonator. Our experiments employ a yttrium barium copper oxide superconducting stripline microwave (MW) resonator integrated with a microbridge. A strong nonlinear response of the resonator is thermally activated in the microbridge when exceeding a threshold in the injected MW power. The responsivity factor characterizing the ESR-induced change in the system’s output signal is about 100 times larger when operating the resonator near the instability threshold, compared to the value obtained in the linear regime of operation. Preliminary experimental results, together with a theoretical model of this phenomenon are presented. Under appropriate conditions, nonlinear induction detection of ESR can potentially improve upon the current capabilities of conventional linear induction detection ESR.VC 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4734500]