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

在重大研究仪器计划(MRI)的这一奖项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获得了一台无低温、最先进的超导量子干涉装置(SQUID)磁强计。这种仪器由两个超导体组成，中间隔着非常薄的绝缘层。这种磁强计能够探测到非常小的磁场，包括那些在生物体内产生的磁场。磁通量由使用直流电压(DC)或交流电压(AC)的电压变化控制。为了能够测量如此微小的磁场变化，该仪器使用有限的液氦资源，在非常低的温度下工作。为了避免浪费如此宝贵的元素，该仪器回收氦，使其不含制冷剂(冷却剂)。该磁力仪放置在用户设施中，在科学研究中的人力资源开发中发挥作用。丰富了许多研究生、博士后研究员和本科生的研究经验。它为加州州立大学系统的用户提供了一个资源，而加州州立大学系统中的学生人数很少。总的来说，磁力计的应用非常广泛，从定位沉没的金属沉船和潜艇，到测量地球磁场，到测量大脑或心脏的微小磁场。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)研究凝聚态系统中的磁性状态；(C)研究富硼团簇作为分子和有机磁体的基石；(D)探索多铁材料在自旋电子器件中的用途；(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)将多铁性作为新材料应用。

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.