Detection of single magnetic nanobead with a nano-superconducting quantum interference device

We report the use of an ultralow noise nano-superconducting quantum interference device (nanoSQUID) to measure the hysteretic magnetization behavior of a single FePt nanobead at a temperature of around 7 K in a magnetic field of only similar to 10 mT. We also show that the nanobead can be accurately positioned with respect to the SQUID loop and then removed without affecting SQUID performance. This system is capable of further development with wide applications in nanomagnetism. [doi:10.1063/1.3561743]