Detection of magnetic fields using nano-magnets
View Patent ↗Magnetic field detection techniques and devices are provided. In one embodiment, a device configured to detect a magnetic field includes a first set of nano-magnets and a second set of nano-magnets. The first set of nano-magnets is operable to induce a RF magnetic field, and the second set of nano-magnets is operable to induce a first electrical signal in response to magnetic resonance signals caused by the RF magnetic field.
1. A device for detecting a magnetic field comprising:
a first set of nano-magnets operable to induce a radio frequency (RF) magnetic field in response to a time-varying electric field;
a second set of nano-magnets operable to induce a first electrical signal in response to a magnetic resonance signal caused by the RF magnetic field;
a source configured to provide the time-varying electric field by applying a second electrical signal to the first set of nano-magnets; and a detector configured to detect the first electrical signal.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first set of nano-magnets and the second set of nano-magnets are arranged in a two-dimensional array.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the RF magnetic field excites spins of a target disposed between the first set of nano-magnets and the second set of nano-magnets, and wherein the magnetic resonance signal is generated in response to the excited spins.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein each nano-magnet of the first and second sets comprises a material selected from the group consisting of ferromagnetic metals, transition metals, and single-molecule magnets.
5. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a negative refractive index medium positioned between the first and second sets of nano-magnets and operable to convert the magnetic resonance signal into a sub-wavelength focused magnetic field signal,
wherein the second set of nano-magnets is operable to induce the first electrical signal in response to the sub-wavelength focused magnetic field signal.
6. The device of claim 5 , wherein the RF magnetic field excites spins of a target disposed between the first set of nano-magnets and the negative refractive index medium, and wherein the magnetic resonance signal is generated in response to the excited spins of the target.
7. A magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) device comprising:
a first set of nano-magnets operable to induce a radio frequency (RF) magnetic field in response to a time-varying electric field;
a second set of nano-magnets operable to induce a first electrical signal in response to a magnetic resonance signal caused by the RF magnetic field;
a detector configured to detect the first electrical signal;
a source configured to provide the time-varying electric field by applying a second electrical signal to the first set of nano-magnets;
a controller, coupled to both the source and a data processing unit, configured to instruct the source to apply the second electrical signal to the first set of nano-magnets and the data processing unit to collect data related to the first electrical signal; and
the data processing unit configured to create images for display based on the collected data.
8. The MRI device of claim 7 , further comprising:
a negative refractive index medium that is positioned between the first and second sets of nano-magnets and configured to convert the magnetic resonance signal into a sub-wavelength focused magnetic field signal,
wherein the second set of nano-magnets is operable to induce the first electrical signal in response to the sub-wavelength focused magnetic field signal.
9. The MRI device of claim 8 , wherein the RF magnetic field excites spins of a target disposed between the first set of nano-magnets and the negative refractive index medium, and wherein the magnetic resonance signal is generated in response to the excited spins of the target.
10. The MRI device of claim 9 , wherein the spins of the target are resonant at a frequency between approximately 8.5 and 128 MHz.
11. The MRI device of claim 8 , wherein the RF magnetic field is between approximately 0.2 and 3 Tesla.
12. The MRI device of claim 7 , wherein the RF magnetic field excites spins of a target disposed between the first set of nano-magnets and the second set of nano-magnets, and wherein the magnetic resonance signal is generated in response to the excited spins.
13. The MRI device of claim 12 , wherein the spins of the target are resonant at a frequency between approximately 8.5 and 128 MHz.
14. The MRI device of claim 7 , wherein the RF magnetic field is between approximately 0.2 and 3 Tesla.
15. A method for detecting magnetic field comprising:
generating a RF magnetic field from a first set of nano-magnets in response to a time varying electric field;
exciting spins of a target based on the RF magnetic field;
generating a magnetic resonance signal from the excited spins of the target;
inducing a first electrical signal based on the magnetic resonance signal at a second set of nano-magnets and detecting the first induced electrical signal.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the generating RF magnetic field comprises applying a second electrical signal to the first set of nano-magnets and inducing the RF magnetic field based on the second electrical signal at the first set of nano-magnets.
17. The method of claim 15 further comprising:
converting the magnetic resonance signal into a sub-wavelength focused magnetic field signal prior to inducing the first electrical signal,
wherein inducing the first electrical signal is performed based on the sub-wavelength focused magnetic field signal.