K. Yotsugi

Papers

Total Citations

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About

K. Yotsugi’s research lies at the intersection of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) quantum sensors and robotic non-destructive evaluation (NDE). Their core contributions focus on developing mobile HTS-SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) systems integrated with robot arms for inspecting fixed structures—a critical advancement for industrial NDE where stationary sensors are impractical. Yotsugi pioneered the use of active magnetic shielding with fluxgate reference sensors to cancel ambient noise, enabling HTS-SQUID gradiometers to operate reliably in unshielded environments. Their most cited works (2008–2009, each with 10 citations) introduced a novel HTS-SQUID gradiometer employing ramp-edge Josephson junctions made from SmBa₂Cu₃O₇, achieving high sensitivity while mounted on a commercial robot arm. This system demonstrated the first practical fusion of cryocooler-based HTS sensors with robotic mobility for NDE of fixed targets. Though citation counts are modest, Yotsugi’s work is foundational for mobile superconducting sensing, directly enabling in-field inspection of aircraft, pipelines, and bridges without bulky magnetic shielding. Their achievements include demonstrating active noise cancellation in real-time robotic operations and advancing HTS junction fabrication for robust gradiometer performance.