Design of high resolution HTS-SQUID magnetometers for biomagnetic imaging

Author

Moya, A. ; Baudenbacher, F. ; Wikswo, J.P., Jr ; Wellstood, F.C.

Author_Institution

Interdisciplinary Res. Centre in Superconductivity, Cambridge Univ., UK

Volume

9

Issue

2

fYear

1999

fDate

6/1/1999 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

3511

Lastpage

3514

Abstract

To image the magnetic fields produced by action, injury and development currents in isolated living tissue or small animal preparations one requires a field sensitivity of a few hundred fT//spl radic/Hz together with a sub-millimeter spatial resolution. The design constraints of HTS bicrystal SQUID magnetometers with sub-millimeter resolution are analyzed in order to maximize field sensitivity. The desired combination of sensitivity and spatial resolution can be achieved by a multiloop magnetometer of 600 /spl mu/m in diameter. The authors´ calculations predict a magnetic field sensitivity of 120 fTHz/sup -1/2/ for sensors with more than five loops. Decreasing the sensor size to 300 /spl mu/m results in a field sensitivity of 320 fTHz/sup -1/2/ requiring four loops.

Keywords

SQUID magnetometers; biological techniques; biomagnetism; image resolution; 300 mum; 600 mum; action currents; biomagnetic imaging; development currents; field sensitivity; high resolution HTS-SQUID magnetometers design; injury currents; isolated living tissue; multiloop magnetometer; sensor size; small animal preparations; submillimeter spatial resolution; Biomagnetics; Coils; High temperature superconductors; High-resolution imaging; Image resolution; Magnetic field measurement; Magnetic sensors; Magnetometers; SQUIDs; Spatial resolution;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Applied Superconductivity, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1051-8223

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/77.783787

Filename

783787