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SQUID Susceptometers for Read-Out of Magnetic Microcalorimeters--Hypres, Inc., 175 Clearbrook Road, Elmsford, NY 10523-1109; (914) 592-1190
Dr. Masoud Radparvar, Principal Investigator
Dr. Elie Track, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-99ER82800
Amount: $100,000
A magnetic calorimeter is an attractive candidate for an x-ray detector for nuclear physics research. This project will build an array of magnetic microcalorimeters with the best energy dispersion for use as the spatial imaging array at the focal plane of an x-ray telescope. The calorimeters will use magnetic sensors to measure very small temperature changes resulting from the absorption of x-rays. The magnetization of localized paramagnetic ions in a metallic matrix will be determined by using a dc SQUID, which is extremely sensitive and ideally adapted to the measurement of flux changes. Furthermore, the sensitivity is only weakly dependent upon heat capacity, and, for a low temperature device, the magnetic sensor with the metallic host offers very fast response. In Phase I, the SQUID susceptometers will be developed, evaluated, and optimized. In Phase II, an array of magnetic microcalorimeters will be constructed, integrated with SQUID susceptometers, and demonstrated.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The availability of a magnetic microcalorimeter integrated with a low-cost SQUID susceptometer should have many nuclear and high energy physics research applications. In addition, the SQUID readout can be used for biomagnetometry for the mapping of brain functions, and the detection of corrosion and cracks in aircraft.