Inductive sensor based on nano-scale SQUIDs

Detectors with sufficient sensitivity to resolve the energy of single photons and particles combined with rapid response times are becoming increasingly important. We describe work in progress on a recently-proposed type of sensor, which we have named the Inductive Superconducting Transition Edge Detector (ISTED). We have theoretically estimated the energy sensitivity of such a sensor, in the case where the heat absorber is incorporated within the sensitive area of a nano-scale SQUID which acts as an inductive readout device. Recent results on the experimental characterization of prototype devices in the temperature range 5-8 K are presented, and ongoing work which is intended to achieve smaller device dimensions together with lower operating temperatures is described.