Abstract
A demonstrator set-up to test superconducting components has been designed and fabricated in order to characterize their functionality for use in a superconducting gravity gradiometer. The displacement of a freely oscillating levitated niobium proof mass in this acceleration transducer is measured inductively and read out by a direct current superconducting quantum interference device. It has been confirmed experimentally that the oscillation frequency depends on the current of the levitation magnet that is operated in persistent-current mode. The results allow us to establish testing and operational procedures that can be used in a more complex multichannel system to confirm functionality and to adjust the levitated proof mass.
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