Atomic Biomagnetometer

描述(由申请人提供)： 该研究计划的长期目标是开发一种用于胎儿心磁图(FMCG)和胎儿脑磁图(FMEG)系统的光学磁强计。我们认为，基于最近的一项重大发现，拟议的磁强计代表了第一个可行的替代鱿鱼磁强计的方案；因此，这项研究对生物磁学领域的潜在影响是巨大的。由于与SQUID技术相关的高昂的获取和维护成本，FMCG和FMEG的使用一直受到限制。光学磁强计可以在保持甚至超过SQUID磁强计的磁场灵敏度的同时，缓解这些缺点。到目前为止，只有这种装置的高灵敏度得到了证明。这项研究的短期目标是构建一种实用于人体研究的设备，同时保持高磁场敏感度。具体目标是：1.研制一台利用Rb原子的光学磁强计/梯度仪，其磁场灵敏度为10A-14T/(Hz)A1/2.2。2.研制一台可用于胎儿心脏磁图的小型化原型磁强计。3.通过评估磁强计的信号和噪声特性以及进行体模研究来评估磁强计的性能。4.通过评估和消除n个潜在的安全危险，证明将磁力计归类为非重大危险是合理的。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long-term goal of this research program is to develop an optical magnetometer for use in fetal magnetocardiography (fMCG) and fetal magnetoencephalography {fMEG) systems. We believe that the proposed magnetometer, based on a major recent discovery,represents the first viable alternative to SQUID magnetometers; thus,the potential impact of the research on the field of biomagnetism is enormous. Utilization of fMCG and fMEG has been limited by the high cost of acquisition and maintenance associated with SQUID technology. The optical magnetometer can mitigate these disadvantages while n maintaining or even surpassing the magnetic field sensitivity of SQUID magnetometers. Thus far only the high sensitivity of the device has been demonstrated. The short-term goal of the research is to construct a device that is practical for human studies, while maintaining the high magnetic field sensitivity. The specific aims are: 1. To build a optical magnetometer/gradiometer that utilizes rubidium atoms and achieves a magnetic field sensitivity 10A-14 T/(Hz)A1/2. 2. To construct a miniaturized prototype magnetometer that would be practical for fetal n magnetocardiography. 3. To evaluate the performance of the magnetometer by assessing its signal and noise characteristics and by conducting phantom studies. 4. To justify classification of the magnetometer as a nonsignificant risk by assessing and eliminating n potential safety hazards.