Contribution to a conference proceedings

FZJ-2012-00802

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png High-Tc DC SQUIDs for magnetoencephalography

Faley, M. I. (Corresponding author) ; Poppe, U. ; Dunin-Borkowski, R. E ; Schiek, M. ; Boers, F. ; Chocholacs, H. ; Dammers, J. ; Eich, E. ; Shah, N. ; Ermakov, A. ; Slobodchikov, V. ; Maslennikov, Y. ; Koshelets, V.

2012
IEEE New York, NY

Abstract: We have investigated the microstructural and electron transport properties of 45° step-edge Josephson junctions grown on MgO substrates and used them for the preparation of superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometers intended for magnetoencephalography (MEG) measurement systems. The high-Tc SQUID magnetometers also incorporate 16 mm multilayer superconducting flux transformers on the MgO substrates and demonstrate a magnetic field resolution of ~ 4 fT/√Hz at 77 K. Results are illustrated for the detection of auditory evoked magnetic responses of the human cortex and compared between high-Tc SQUIDs and a commercial low-Tc MEG system. Our results demonstrate that MEG systems can be upgraded using high-Tc SQUIDs to make them independent of helium and more user-friendly, saving operating costs and leading to the widespread utilization of MEG systems in clinical practice and at universities.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Zentralinstitut für Elektronik (ZEA-2)
2. Physik der Medizinischen Bildgebung (INM-4)
3. Mikrostrukturforschung (PGI-5)

Research Program(s):

1. 423 - Sensorics and bioinspired systems (POF2-423) (POF2-423)

Appears in the scientific report 2012

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