Field Magnetic Imaging Research Articles

Diamond magnetometry of Meissner currents in a superconducting film

We study magnetic field penetration into a thin film made of a superconducting niobium. Imaging of magnetic field is performed by optically detecting magnetic resonances of negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy defects inside a single crystal diamond, which is attached to the niobium film under study. The experimental results are compared with theoretical predictions based on the critical state model, and good agreement is obtained.

Segmentation and enhancement of brain MR images using fuzzy clustering based on information theory

In recent decades, fuzzy segmentation methods, FCM algorithm in particular, have been widely employed for medical image segmentation, because they can save more information of the original image. But some artifacts like spatial noise and bias in medical images disturb segmentation results. This research presents an improved and robust FCM method based on information theoretic clustering, which estimated and corrected the heterogeneity of the magnetic field image (bias) and minimized the noise effects. To increase accuracy against any noise, the mutual information between data distribution of each cluster and those out of that cluster were maximized. The simulation results of the proposed algorithm are compared with previous fuzzy segmentation methods and its superiority in terms of segmentation of MR images in the database of brain images and synthetic images is illustrated.

Broadband, large-area microwave antenna for optically detected magnetic resonance of nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond.

We report on a microwave planar ring antenna specifically designed for optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond. It has the resonance frequency at around 2.87 GHz with the bandwidth of 400 MHz, ensuring that ODMR can be observed under external magnetic fields up to 100 G without the need of adjustment of the resonance frequency. It is also spatially uniform within the 1-mm-diameter center hole, enabling the magnetic-field imaging in the wide spatial range. These features facilitate the experiments on quantum sensing and imaging using NV centers at room temperature.

The detection of real defects in ferromagnetic objects using a magnetic-field imaging film

Tracer patterns of real defects during magnetic monitoring of ferromagnetic objects using a magnetic-field imaging film are presented. The results of production tests on the monitoring of a real object are demonstrated.

Nanostructured Soft Matter with Magnetic Nanoparticles

Magnetic field imaging in living specimens with magnetic nanoparticles as contrasting agents has attracted significant interest in the rapidly developing field of nanomedicine. Developments in this field have also stimulated research into the synthesis and design of functionalized magnetic nanoparticles that find applications in broader areas of materials science beyond contrasting for biomedical applications. This article provides a brief discussion of the methods for synthesis and surveys the surface functionalization chemistry of magnetic nanoparticles, along with various approaches for magnetic nanoparticle manipulation and assembly in uniform and nonuniform magnetic fields.

Imaging of electric and magnetic fields near plasmonic nanowires.

Near-field imaging is a powerful tool to investigate the complex structure of light at the nanoscale. Recent advances in near-field imaging have indicated the possibility for the complete reconstruction of both electric and magnetic components of the evanescent field. Here we study the electro-magnetic field structure of surface plasmon polariton waves propagating along subwavelength gold nanowires by performing phase- and polarization-resolved near-field microscopy in collection mode. By applying the optical reciprocity theorem, we describe the signal collected by the probe as an overlap integral of the nanowire’s evanescent field and the probe’s response function. As a result, we find that the probe’s sensitivity to the magnetic field is approximately equal to its sensitivity to the electric field. Through rigorous modeling of the nanowire mode as well as the aperture probe response function, we obtain a good agreement between experimentally measured signals and a numerical model. Our findings provide a better understanding of aperture-based near-field imaging of the nanoscopic plasmonic and photonic structures and are helpful for the interpretation of future near-field experiments.

Computer-assisted methods for finding pulsed magnetic-field distributions near current-conducting objects

Time dependences are given for an electric voltage U(t) that is recorded across an inductive magnetic head when scanning a discontinuous magnetic carrier that has been subjected to pulsed magnetic fields of a linear inductor. The value of U(t) at each point of the carrier is determined by the amplitude of each pulse, the pulse direction, and the sequence of exposures. If a current-conducting object is present, this value also depends on the field pulse rise time. The phenomenon of hysteretic interference of a pulsed magnetic field (HI) is used. Digital images of pulsed magnetic fields, as well as computer-assisted methods for measuring these fields, finding their distributions, and processing observation results are presented.

Magnetic Resonance Image Evaluation of Temporomandibular Joint Osteophytes: Influence of Clinical Factors and Artrogenics Changes.

This research aims to examine the presence of osteophyte in patients with arthrogenic temporomandibular disorders through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); to investigate the influence of sex and clinical symptoms in its prevalence; and the position of the osteophytes in the condyle. The study was based on 100 MRI and on reports of patients, which corresponded to the evaluation of 200 joints. Patients of both sexes were aged from 18 to 82 years (average = 49.48) and were subjected to the aforementioned examination from January 2006 to March 2009. The assessment considered the type of disc displacement, the presence of effusion, bone marrow edema, condyle changes, joint noise and pain. The MRI machine used was the GE Signa HDX (General Electric, Milwaukee, WI), with T1 and T2-weighted, 1.5 T magnetic field, sagittal oblique (mouth closed, mouth open) and coronal (mouth closed) imaging, with spherical surface coil and an asymmetric matrix. All images were interpreted by an experienced radiologist. A total of 28% (n = 56) of the temporomandibular joints showed osteophytes on the anterior surface of the mandible. No relationship was found between sex and osteophytes. The authors found a statistically significant difference between osteophytes and disc displacement without reduction (P < 0.001). The presence of osteophytes suggested a possible cause and effect relationship between osteoarthritis and disc displacement without reduction; the osteophyte was always located in the anterior surface of condyle, regardless of the sex variable; no significant difference was found between osteophytes and the main complaints of the patient.

Historic Methods for Capturing Magnetic Field Images

I investigated two late 19th-century methods for capturing magnetic field images from iron filings for historical insight into the pedagogy of hands-on physics education methods, and to flesh out teaching and learning practicalities tacit in the historical record. Both methods offer opportunities for close sensory engagement in data-collection processes.

Estimating the magnetic moment of microscopic magnetic sources from their magnetic field distribution in a layer of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres in diamond

We have used a synthetic diamond with a layer of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres to image the magnetic field distributions of magnetic particles on the surface of the diamond. Magnetic field distributions of 4 µ m and 2 µ m ferromagnetic and 500 nm diameter superparamagnetic particles were obtained by measuring the position of the optically detected magnetic resonance peak in the fluorescence emitted by the NV centres for each pixel. We fitted the results to a model in order to determine the magnetic moment of the particles from the magnetic field image and compared the results to the measured magnetic moment of the particles. The best-fit magnetic moment differed from the value expected based on measurements by a vibrating sample magnetometer, which implies that further work is necessary to understand the details of magnetic field measurements on the micro scale. However, the measurements of two different types of ferromagnetic particle gave internally consistent results.

High-resolution magnetic field imaging with a nitrogen-vacancy diamond sensor integrated with a photonic-crystal fiber.

We demonstrate high-resolution magnetic field imaging with a scanning fiber-optic probe which couples nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond to a high-numerical-aperture photonic-crystal fiber integrated with a two-wire microwave transmission line. Magnetic resonance excitation of NV centers driven by the microwave field is read out through optical interrogation through the photonic-crystal fiber to enable high-speed, high-sensitivity magnetic field imaging with sub 30 μm spatial resolution.

Doppler-scanning tunneling microscopy current imaging in superconductor-ferromagnet hybrids

Mapping the distribution of currents inside a superconductor is usually performed indirectly through imaging of the stray magnetic fields above the surface. Here, we show that by direct imaging of the Doppler shift contribution to the quasiparticle excitation spectrum in the superconductor using low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy, we obtain directly the distribution of supercurrents inside the superconductor. We demonstrate the technique at the example of superconductor/ferromagnet hybrid structure that produces intricate current pattern consisting of combination Meissner shielding currents and Abrikosov vortex currents.

The Paleoproterozoic Singo granite in south-central Uganda revealed as a nested igneous ring complex using geophysical data

We used high-resolution airborne magnetic and radiometric data and satellite gravity data to investigate the form of occurrence of the Paleoproterozoic Singo granite in west-central Uganda. This granitic body covers an area of ∼700 km2, intrudes Paleoproterozoic crystalline rocks and overlain by Paleoproterozoic-Mesoproterozoic sedimentary rocks, both of which belong to the Rwenzori terrane, and it is host to hydrothermally-formed economic minerals such as gold and tungsten. Our analysis provided unprecedented geometrical details of the granitic body and revealed the following: (1) the margins of the Singo granite are characterized by a higher magnetic signature compared to the interior of the granitic body as well as the surroundings. These anomalies are apparent in both the total magnetic field and horizontal derivative images and define eight overlapping ring features. (2) the depth continuation of these magnetic anomalies define outward but steeply-dipping features as indicated by the tilt images extracted from the airborne magnetic data. This is further supported by forward modeling of the magnetic and gravity data. (3) the Singo granite is characterized by relatively high and evenly-distributed equivalent concentration of Uranium (eU) and Thorium (eTh) compared to the surroundings and this is apparent in the Potassium (K)-eTh-eU radiometric ternary image. (4) the granitic body is defined by a gravity low anomaly that persisted to a depth of three km as shown by the Bouguer anomaly image and its five km upward continuation. We used these observations to identify this granitic body as a nested igneous ring complex and we refer to it as the Singo Igneous Ring Complex (SIRC). We further interpreted the eight ring structures as individual igneous ring complexes aligned in an E–W and NE–SW direction and these were developed due to repeated calderas collapse. Additionally, we interpreted the ring-shaped magnetic anomalies as due to hydrothermally-altered margins of the granite resulting from hot fluid circulation facilitated by the presence of concentric fracture zones that developed in association with the collapse of the calderas. We propose that the nested pattern of the SIRC was developed due to dominantly east and southwest migration of magma plumbing systems. Identifying the SIRC as a nested igneous ring complex has its importance in guiding future mineral exploration activities. Our study highlights the importance of high resolution geophysical data in mapping near surface igneous ring complexes, hence allowing for further examination of their magma plumbing systems.

Tectonic and structural setting of the northeastern central Gulf of Suez area using aeromagnetic data

Cumulative qualitative and quantitative analysis of the filtered regional and residual magnetic components of the northeastern central area of the Gulf of Suez, as well as images of the second vertical derivatives of the reduced to the northern magnetic pole map of the total magnetic intensity field images, supplemented with the available geologic information, enabled the precise delineation of the detailed structural configuration of the basement complex, which consequently illustrated the structural deformational pattern of the overlying sedimentary succession. The basement tectonic map reflects a series of N–S to NNW–SSE oriented belts of high and low basement structures. These structures are interrupted by a set of NE–SW crossing diagonal faults having varying throws and creating promising blocks for exploration.An often remarkable correlation between the reduced to the magnetic pole map and the basement relief map is noted, in particular the outline of various oil fields. A larger number of the tilted fault blocks and basement culminations have been outlined and numerous interesting exploration prospects are indicated, which appear to warrant further follow up investigation.

Widefield microwave imaging in alkali vapor cells with sub-100 μm resolution

We report on widefield microwave vector field imaging with sub- resolution using a microfabricated alkali vapor cell. The setup can additionally image dc magnetic fields, and can be configured to image microwave electric fields. Our camera-based widefield imaging system records 2D images with a 6 × 6 mm2 field of view at a rate of 10 Hz. It provides up to spatial resolution, and allows imaging of fields as close as above structures, through the use of thin external cell walls. This is crucial in allowing us to take practical advantage of the high spatial resolution, as feature sizes in near-fields are on the order of the distance from their source, and represent an order of magnitude improvement in surface-feature resolution compared to previous vapor cell experiments. We present microwave and dc magnetic field images above a selection of devices, demonstrating a microwave sensitivity of per voxel, at present limited by the speed of our camera system. Since we image 120 × 120 voxels in parallel, a single scanned sensor would require a sensitivity of at least to produce images with the same sensitivity. Our technique could prove transformative in the design, characterization, and debugging of microwave devices, as there are currently no satisfactory established microwave imaging techniques. Moreover, it could find applications in medical imaging.

Failure Analysis Work Flow for Electrical Shorts in Triple Stacked 3D TSV Daisy Chains

In this paper we show an efficient workflow that combines Magnetic Field Imaging (MFI) and Dual Beam Plasma Focused Ion Beam (DB-PFIB) for fast and efficient Fault Isolation and root cause analysis in 2.5/3D devices. The work proves MFI is the best method for Electric Fault Isolation (EFI) of short failures in 2.5/3D Through Silicon Via (TSV) triple stacked devices in a true non-destructive way by imaging the current path. To confirm the failing locations and to do Physical Failure Analysis (PFA), a DB-PFIB system was used for cross sectioning and volume analysis of the TSV structures and high resolution imaging of the identified defects. With a DB-PFIB, the fault is exposed and analyzed without any sample prep artifacts seen in mechanical polishing or laser preparation techniques and done in a considerably shorter amount of time than that required when using a traditional Gallium Focused Ion Beam (FIB).

A nitrogen-vacancy spin based molecular structure microscope using multiplexed projection reconstruction

Methods and techniques to measure and image beyond the state-of-the-art have always been influential in propelling basic science and technology. Because current technologies are venturing into nanoscopic and molecular-scale fabrication, atomic-scale measurement techniques are inevitable. One such emerging sensing method uses the spins associated with nitrogen-vacancy (NV) defects in diamond. The uniqueness of this NV sensor is its atomic size and ability to perform precision sensing under ambient conditions conveniently using light and microwaves (MW). These advantages have unique applications in nanoscale sensing and imaging of magnetic fields from nuclear spins in single biomolecules. During the last few years, several encouraging results have emerged towards the realization of an NV spin-based molecular structure microscope. Here, we present a projection-reconstruction method that retrieves the three-dimensional structure of a single molecule from the nuclear spin noise signatures. We validate this method using numerical simulations and reconstruct the structure of a molecular phantom β-cyclodextrin, revealing the characteristic toroidal shape.

Multiple cracks detection and visualization using magnetic flux leakage and eddy current pulsed thermography

This paper investigates two non-destructive evaluation methods, magnetic flux leakage (MFL) and eddy current pulsed thermography (ECPT), for both artificial and natural multiple cracks (MC) detection and visualization. The detection capability and characteristics of MC visualization are verified and compared through simulations and experiments. Results show that, MFL testing reflects the surface shapes and orientations of MC by 3D magnetic field imaging. However, it is unable to evaluate the depth of artificial MC and detailed surface shapes of natural MC due to limitations of sensor array spatial resolution. ECPT shows more capability in MC visualization in detail from thermal images. The obtained thermal image sequences from ECPT demonstrate rich transient and pattern information to evaluate MC geometrical features. After discussion of the two methods with the probability of detection (POD) analysis, a promising new sensing structure which potentially combines both advantages of them is proposed to enhance the NDE performance for MC evaluation.

Fourier magnetic imaging with nanoscale resolution and compressed sensing speed-up using electronic spins in diamond.

Optically detected magnetic resonance using nitrogen-vacancy (NV) colour centres in diamond is a leading modality for nanoscale magnetic field imaging, as it provides single electron spin sensitivity, three-dimensional resolution better than 1 nm (ref. 5) and applicability to a wide range of physical and biological samples under ambient conditions. To date, however, NV-diamond magnetic imaging has been performed using 'real-space' techniques, which are either limited by optical diffraction to ∼250 nm resolution or require slow, point-by-point scanning for nanoscale resolution, for example, using an atomic force microscope, magnetic tip, or super-resolution optical imaging. Here, we introduce an alternative technique of Fourier magnetic imaging using NV-diamond. In analogy with conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we employ pulsed magnetic field gradients to phase-encode spatial information on NV electronic spins in wavenumber or 'k-space' followed by a fast Fourier transform to yield real-space images with nanoscale resolution, wide field of view and compressed sensing speed-up.

The Impact of Diabetes on Cerebral Structure and Function.

Diabetes alters cerebral metabolism, structure, and function. Both hyperglycemia and therapy-associated hypoglycemia are believed to have an impact on the brain, and this impact may depend on the age of the individual, their stage of neurological development, and whether they have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Hypoglycemia in children with Type 1 has consistently been associated with a reduction in neurocognitive function, but such a finding has not been seen in adults with Type 1 diabetes. Both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia have been linked with dementia in adults with Type 2 diabetes. In both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, recurrent episodes of treatment-associated hypoglycemia impair how well the brain can sense and respond to subsequent episodes of hypoglycemia. In this brief review, we will review how diabetes affects the brain with a focus on investigations done in our own laboratory. We have focused on using high magnetic field imaging and spectroscopy to identify subtle changes in brain structure and metabolism that may contribute to the long-term cerebral complications of diabetes. We have found evidence of microstructural changes in white matter regions, reduced gray matter density, and reduced activation of the thalamus in response to recurrent hypoglycemia in patients with Type 1 diabetes.