MRI: Acquisition of a Cryogen-Free, State-of-the-Art, Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQuID) Magnetometer

在主要研究仪器计划（MRI）的奖励和化学研究仪器计划（CRIF）的支持下，加州大学洛杉矶分校的Sarah Tolbert教授及其同事Louis Bouchard， Greg Carman， Jane Chang和Alexander Spokoyny已经获得了无低温，最先进的超导量子干涉装置（SQuID）磁强计。这个仪器由两个超导体组成，中间隔着很薄的绝缘层。这种磁力计能够检测非常小的磁场，包括那些在生物体中产生的磁场。磁通量由电压变化控制，使用直流或交流电压。为了能够测量如此微小的磁场变化，该仪器在使用液氦（一种有限的资源）实现的极低温度下运行。为了避免浪费这种有价值的元素，该仪器回收氦，使其不含冷冻剂（冷却剂）。该磁力计放置在用户设施中，在科学研究人力资源的开发中发挥作用。它丰富了许多研究生、博士后和本科生的研究经验。它为整个加州州立大学系统的用户提供资源，该系统由大量代表性不足的学生组成。一般来说，磁力计有非常多样化的应用，从定位水下含金属的沉船和潜艇到测量地球磁场，再到测量大脑或心脏中的微小磁场。该奖项旨在加强各级的研究和教育，特别是在以下领域：(a)了解用于热能收集的热重材料；(b)研究凝聚态体系中的磁态；(c)研究富硼团簇作为分子和有机磁体的构建块；(d)探索多铁性材料在自旋电子器件中的应用；(e)研究单分子磁体；(f)研究量子反常半效应和拓扑超导体，(g)应用多铁性材料作为新材料。

With this award from the Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI) and support from the Chemistry Research Instrumentation Program (CRIF), Professor Sarah Tolbert from the University of California Los Angeles and colleagues Louis Bouchard, Greg Carman, Jane Chang and Alexander Spokoyny have acquired a cryogen-free, state-of-the-art, superconducting quantum interference device (SQuID) magnetometer. This instrument consists of two superconductors separated by very thin insulating layers. Such a magnetometer is capable of detecting very small magnetic fields including those produced in living organisms. The magnetic flux is controlled by voltage variations using either direct (DC) or alternating voltages (AC). To be able to measure such small variations in magnetic fields, the instrument operates at very low temperatures achieved with the use of liquid helium, a limited resource. To avoid waste of such a valuable element, this instrument recycles the helium making it cryogen (coolant) free. This magnetometer is placed in a user facility and plays a role in the development of human resources in scientific research. It enriches the research experience of many graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and undergraduate researchers. It serves as a resource for users across the California State University System which is heavily populated by underrepresented students. In general, magnetometers have very diverse applications, ranging from locating submerged metal-containing ship wrecks and submarines to measuring Earth's magnetic fields to measuring tiny magnetic fields in the brain or heart.The award is aimed at enhancing research and education at all levels, especially in areas such as (a) understanding thermogravimetric materials for thermal energy harvesting; (b) studying magnetic states in condensed matter systems; (c) studying boron-rich clusters as building blocks for molecular and organic magnets; (d) exploring the use of multiferroic materials for spintronic devices; (e) studying single molecule magnets; (f) studying quantum anomalous half effect and topological superconductors, and (g) applying multiferroics as new materials.