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Mixed manganese-zinc ferrite nanoparticles coated with PEG were studied for their potential usefulness in MRI thermometry as temperature-sensitive contrast agents. Particles in the form of an 8.5 nm core coated with a 3.5 nm layer of PEG were fabricated using a newly developed, one-step method. The composition of Mn 0.48 Zn 0.46 Fe 2.06 O 4 was found to have a strong thermal dependence of magnetization in the temperature range between 5 and 50 °C. Nanoparticles suspended in an agar gel mimicking animal tissue and showing non-significant impact on cell viability in the biological test were studied with NMR and MRI over the same temperature range. For the concentration of 0.017 mg/mL of Fe, the spin-spin relaxation time T 2 increased from 3.1 to 8.3 ms, while longitudinal relaxation time T 1 shows a moderate decrease from 149.0 to 125.1 ms. A temperature map of the phantom exposed to the radial temperature gradient obtained by heating it with an 808 nm laser was calculated from T 2 weighted spin-echo differential MR images. Analysis of temperature maps yields thermal/spatial resolution of 3.2 °C at the distance of 2.9 mm. The experimental relaxation rate R 2 data of water protons were compared with those obtained from calculations using a theoretical model incorporating the motion averaging regime.

Existing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reference objects, or phantoms, are typically constructed from simple liquid or gel solutions in containers with specific geometric configurations to enable multi-year stability. However, there is a need for phantoms that better mimic the human anatomy without barriers between the tissues. Barriers result in regions without MRI signal between the different tissue mimics, which is an artificial image artifact. We created an anatomically representative 3D structure of the brain that mimicked the T1 and T2 relaxation properties of white and gray matter at 3 T. While the goal was to avoid barriers between tissues, the 3D printed barrier between white and gray matter and other flaws in the construction were visible at 3 T. Stability measurements were made using a portable MRI system operating at 64 mT, and T2 relaxation time was stable from 0 to 22 weeks. The phantom T1 relaxation properties did change from 0 to 10 weeks; however, they did not substantially change between 10 weeks and 22 weeks. The anthropomorphic phantom used a dissolvable mold construction method to better mimic anatomy, which worked in small test objects. The construction process, though, had many challenges. We share this work with the hope that the community can build on our experience., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: This is an open access article, free of all copyright, and may be freely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, modified, built upon, or otherwise used by anyone for any lawful purpose. The work is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication.)

Objective: Temperature controlled T 1 and T 2 relaxation times are measured on NiCl 2 and MnCl 2 solutions from the ISMRM/NIST system phantom at low magnetic field strengths of 6.5 mT, 64 mT and 550 mT., Materials and Methods: The T 1 and T 2 were measured of five samples with increasing concentrations of NiCl 2 and five samples with increasing concentrations of MnCl 2 . All samples were scanned at 6.5 mT, 64 mT and 550 mT, at sample temperatures ranging from 10 °C to 37 °C., Results: The NiCl 2 solutions showed little change in T 1 and T 2 with magnetic field strength, and both relaxation times decreased with increasing temperature. The MnCl 2 solutions showed an increase in T 1 and a decrease in T 2 with increasing magnetic field strength, and both T 1 and T 2 increased with increasing temperature., Discussion: The low field relaxation rates of the NiCl 2 and MnCl 2 arrays in the ISMRM/NIST system phantom are investigated and compared to results from clinical field strengths of 1.5 T and 3.0 T. The measurements can be used as a benchmark for MRI system functionality and stability, especially when MRI systems are taken out of the radiology suite or laboratory and into less traditional environments., (© 2023. This is a U.S. Government work and not under copyright protection in the US; foreign copyright protection may apply.)

The aim of this project is to fabricate hydrogen-rich silicone doped with magnetic nanoparticles for use as a temperature change indicator in magnetic resonance imaging-guided (MRIg) thermal ablations. To avoid clustering, the particles of mixed MnZn ferrite were synthesized directly in a medical-grade silicone polymer solution. The particles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, temperature-dependent nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry (20 °C to 60 °C, at 3.0 T), and magnetic resonance imaging (at 3.0 T). Synthesized nanoparticles were the size of 4.4 nm ± 2.1 nm and exhibited superparamagnetic behavior. Bulk silicone material showed a good shape stability within the study's temperature range. Embedded nanoparticles did not influence spin-lattice relaxation, but they shorten the longer component of spin-spin nuclear relaxation times of silicone's protons. However, these protons exhibited an extremely high r 2 * relaxivity (above 1200 L s -1 mmol -1 ) due to the presence of particles, with a moderate decrease in the magnetization with temperature. With an increased temperature decrease of r 2 * , this ferro-silicone can be potentially used as a temperature indicator in high-temperature MRIg ablations (40 °C to 60 °C).

Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM) is an MRI tool with the potential to reveal pathological changes from magnetic susceptibility measurements. Before phase data can be used to recover susceptibility (Δ χ ), the QSM process begins with two steps: data acquisition and phase estimation. We assess the performance of these steps, when applied without user intervention, on several variations of a phantom imaging task. We used a rotating-tube phantom with five tubes ranging from Δ χ =0.05 ppm to Δ χ =0.336 ppm. MRI data was acquired at nine angles of rotation for four different pulse sequences. The images were processed by 10 phase estimation algorithms including Laplacian, region-growing, branch-cut, temporal unwrapping, and maximum-likelihood methods, resulting in approximately 90 different combinations of data acquisition and phase estimation methods. We analyzed errors between measured and expected phases using the probability mass function and Cumulative Distribution Function. Repeatable acquisition and estimation methods were identified based on the probability of relative phase errors. For single-echo GRE and segmented EPI sequences, a region-growing method was most reliable with Pr (relative error <0.1) = 0.95 and 0.90, respectively. For multiecho sequences, a maximum-likelihood method was most reliable with Pr (relative error <0.1) = 0.97. The most repeatable multiecho methods outperformed the most repeatable single-echo methods. We found a wide range of repeatability and reproducibility for off-the-shelf MRI acquisition and phase estimation approaches, and this variability may prevent the techniques from being widely integrated in clinical workflows. The error was dominated in many cases by spatially discontinuous phase unwrapping errors. Any postprocessing applied on erroneous phase estimates, such as QSM's background field removal and dipole inversion, would suffer from error propagation. Our paradigm identifies methods that yield consistent and accurate phase estimates that would ultimately yield consistent and accurate Δ χ estimates., Competing Interests: The authors K. E.K, B. P.B, S. C., S. E.R., W.-T.W., J. A.B, and D. L.P. have no conflicts of interest. J. D. is the inventor of the MAGPI method and is the founder of MAGPI LLC., (Copyright © 2021 Kathryn E. Keenan et al.)

Purpose: A standard MRI system phantom has been designed and fabricated to assess scanner performance, stability, comparability and assess the accuracy of quantitative relaxation time imaging. The phantom is unique in having traceability to the International System of Units, a high level of precision, and monitoring by a national metrology institute. Here, we describe the phantom design, construction, imaging protocols, and measurement of geometric distortion, resolution, slice profile, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), proton-spin relaxation times, image uniformity and proton density., Methods: The system phantom, designed by the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine ad hoc committee on Standards for Quantitative MR, is a 200 mm spherical structure that contains a 57-element fiducial array; two relaxation time arrays; a proton density/SNR array; resolution and slice-profile insets. Standard imaging protocols are presented, which provide rapid assessment of geometric distortion, image uniformity, T 1 and T 2 mapping, image resolution, slice profile, and SNR., Results: Fiducial array analysis gives assessment of intrinsic geometric distortions, which can vary considerably between scanners and correction techniques. This analysis also measures scanner/coil image uniformity, spatial calibration accuracy, and local volume distortion. An advanced resolution analysis gives both scanner and protocol contributions. SNR analysis gives both temporal and spatial contributions., Conclusions: A standard system phantom is useful for characterization of scanner performance, monitoring a scanner over time, and to compare different scanners. This type of calibration structure is useful for quality assurance, benchmarking quantitative MRI protocols, and to transition MRI from a qualitative imaging technique to a precise metrology with documented accuracy and uncertainty., (© 2021 The Authors. Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.)

Recent innovations in quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurement methods have led to improvements in accuracy, repeatability, and acquisition speed, and have prompted renewed interest to reevaluate the medical value of quantitative T1. The purpose of this study was to determine the bias and reproducibility of T1 measurements in a variety of MRI systems with an eye toward assessing the feasibility of applying diagnostic threshold T1 measurement across multiple clinical sites. We used the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine/National Institute of Standards and Technology (ISMRM/NIST) system phantom to assess variations of T1 measurements, using a slow, reference standard inversion recovery sequence and a rapid, commonly-available variable flip angle sequence, across MRI systems at 1.5 tesla (T) (two vendors, with number of MRI systems n = 9) and 3 T (three vendors, n = 18). We compared the T1 measurements from inversion recovery and variable flip angle scans to ISMRM/NIST phantom reference values using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to test for statistical differences between T1 measurements grouped according to MRI scanner manufacturers and/or static field strengths. The inversion recovery method had minor over- and under-estimations compared to the NMR-measured T1 values at both 1.5 T and 3 T. Variable flip angle measurements had substantially greater deviations from the NMR-measured T1 values than the inversion recovery measurements. At 3 T, the measured variable flip angle T1 for one vendor is significantly different than the other two vendors for most of the samples throughout the clinically relevant range of T1. There was no consistent pattern of discrepancy between vendors. We suggest establishing rigorous quality control procedures for validating quantitative MRI methods to promote confidence and stability in associated measurement techniques and to enable translation of diagnostic threshold from the research center to the entire clinical community., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

We show that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to visualize the spatiotemporal dynamics of iron oxide nanoparticle growth within a hydrogel network during in situ coprecipitation. The synthesis creates a magnetic nanoparticle loaded polymer gel, or magnetogel. During in situ coprecipitation, iron oxide nanoparticles nucleate and grow due to diffusion of a precipitating agent throughout an iron precursor loaded polymer network. The creation of iron oxide particles changes the magnetic properties of the gel, allowing the synthesis to be monitored via magnetic measurements. Formation of iron oxide nanoparticles generates dark, or hypointense, contrast in gradient echo (GRE) images acquired by MRI, allowing nanoparticle nucleation to be tracked in both space and time. We show that the growth of iron oxide nanoparticles in the hydrogel scaffold is consistent with a simple reaction-diffusion model.

Imaging phantoms are used to calibrate and validate the performance of medical computed tomography (CT) systems. Many new materials developed for three-dimensional (3D) printing processes may be useful in the direct printing or casting of biomimetic and geometrically accurate CT and X-ray phantoms. The X-ray linear attenuation coefficients of polymer samples were measured to discover materials for use as tissue mimics in phantoms. This study included a cohort of polymer compounds that were tested in cured form. The cohort consisted of 101 standardized polymer samples fabricated from: two-part silicones and polyurethanes used in commercial casting processes; one-part optically cured polyurethanes used in 3D printing; and fused deposition thermoplastics used in 3D printing. The testing was performed with a commercial micro-CT imaging system from 40 kVp to 140 kVp. The X-ray linear coefficients of the samples and human tissues were plotted with error bars to allow the reader to identify suitable mimics. The X-ray linear attenuation coefficients of the tested material samples spanned a wide range of values, with a small number of them overlapping established human tissue mimic values. Twenty 3D printer materials and one castable polyurethane tracked nylon and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) as established X-ray mimics for fat. Five 3D printer materials tracked water as an established X-ray mimic for muscle.

Imaging phantoms are used to calibrate and validate the performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems. Many new materials have been developed for additive manufacturing (three-dimensional [3D] printing) processes that may be useful in the direct printing or casting of dimensionally accurate, anatomically accurate, patient-specific, and/or biomimetic MRI phantoms. The T1, T2, and T2* spin relaxation times of polymer samples were tested to discover materials for use as tissue mimics and structures in MRI phantoms. This study included a cohort of polymer compounds that was tested in cured form. The cohort consisted of 101 standardized polymer samples fabricated from: two-part silicones and polyurethanes used in commercial casting processes; one-part optically cured polyurethanes used in 3D printing; and fused deposition thermoplastics used in 3D printing. The testing was performed at 3 T using inversion recovery, spin echo, and gradient echo sequences for T1, T2, and T2*, respectively. T1, T2, and T2* values were plotted with error bars to allow the reader to assess how well a polymer matches a tissue for a specific application. A correlation was performed between T1, T2, T2* values and material density, elongation, tensile strength, and hardness. Two silicones, SI&#95;XP-643 and SI&#95;P-45, may be usable mimics for reported liver values; one silicone, SI&#95;XP-643, may be a useful mimic for muscle; one silicone, SI&#95;XP-738, may be a useful mimic for white matter; and four silicones, SI&#95;P-15, SI&#95;GI-1000, SI&#95;GI-1040, and SI&#95;GI-1110, may be usable mimics for spinal cord. Elongation correlated to T2 (p = 0.0007), tensile strength correlated to T1 (p = 0.002), T2 (p = 0.0003), and T2* (p = 0.003). The 80 samples not providing measurable signal with T1, T2, T2* relaxation values too short to measure with the standard sequences, may be useful for MRI-invisible fixturing and medical devices at 3 T.

Purpose: MRI parameters, such as T 1 , T 2 , and ADC, of tissue-mimicking materials in MRI phantoms can exhibit temperature dependence, and bore temperatures can vary over a 10°C range across different MRI systems. If this variation is not accurately corrected for, the quantitative nature of reference or phantom measurements is irrelevant. Available thermometers require opening the phantoms to probe the temperature, which can introduce contaminants that may affect the stability and accuracy of the phantom. An integrated, MRI-visible thermometer that can be read using typical imaging protocols is needed., Theory and Methods: An MRI-compatible thermometer was designed using liquid crystals (LCs) that exhibit rapid transitions between the LC cholesteric state and isotropic state in the room temperature range spanning 17°C to 23°C in 1.0°C increments. The LC thermometer was assessed visually and using superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry, NMR, and MRI techniques., Results: The signal generated from the LC thermometer was visible with spin-echo and gradient-echo MRI images. The LC state transition temperatures were visually referenced to a National Institute of Standards and Technology-traceable thermometer, and these LC state transitions were confirmed using superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry and NMR., Conclusions: The LC MR-visible thermometer had measurable changes in relative signal with temperature, which were invariant to a variety of imaging sequences used., (© 2020 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.)

Josephson junctions act as a natural spiking neuron-like device for neuromorphic computing. By leveraging the advances recently demonstrated in digital single flux quantum (SFQ) circuits and using recently demonstrated magnetic Josephson junction (MJJ) synaptic circuits, there is potential to make rapid progress in SFQ-based neuromorphic computing. Here we demonstrate the basic functionality of a synaptic circuit design that takes advantage of the adjustable critical current demonstrated in MJJs and implement a synaptic weighting element. The devices were fabricated with a restively shunted Nb/AlO x -Al/Nb process that did not include MJJs. Instead, the MJJ functionality was tested by making multiple circuits and varying the critical current, but not the external shunt resistance, of the oxide Josephson junction that represents the MJJ. Experimental measurements and simulations of the fabricated circuits are in good agreement.

Level of Evidence: 5 Technical Efficacy: Stage 5 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019., (© 2019 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.)

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are widely investigated and utilized as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast and therapy agents due to their large magnetic moments. Local field inhomogeneities caused by these high magnetic moments are used to generate T 2 contrast in clinical high-field MRI, resulting in signal loss (darker contrast). Here we present strong T 1 contrast enhancement (brighter contrast) from SPIONs (diameters from 11 nm to 22 nm) as observed in the ultra-low field (ULF) MRI at 0.13 mT. We have achieved a high longitudinal relaxivity for 18 nm SPION solutions, r 1  = 615 s -1 mM -1 , which is two orders of magnitude larger than typical commercial Gd-based T 1 contrast agents operating at high fields (1.5 T and 3 T). The significantly enhanced r 1 value at ultra-low fields is attributed to the coupling of proton spins with SPION magnetic fluctuations (Brownian and Néel) associated with a low frequency peak in the imaginary part of AC susceptibility (χ"). SPION-based T 1 -weighted ULF MRI has the advantages of enhanced signal, shorter imaging times, and iron-oxide-based nontoxic biocompatible agents. This approach shows promise to become a functional imaging technique, similar to PET, where low spatial resolution is compensated for by important functional information.

Purpose: To determine the in vitro accuracy, test-retest repeatability, and interplatform reproducibility of T 1 quantification protocols used for dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI at 1.5 and 3 T., Methods: A T 1 phantom with 14 samples was imaged at eight centers with a common inversion-recovery spin-echo (IR-SE) protocol and a variable flip angle (VFA) protocol using seven flip angles, as well as site-specific protocols (VFA with different flip angles, variable repetition time, proton density, and Look-Locker inversion recovery). Factors influencing the accuracy (deviation from reference NMR T 1 measurements) and repeatability were assessed using general linear mixed models. Interplatform reproducibility was assessed using coefficients of variation., Results: For the common IR-SE protocol, accuracy (median error across platforms = 1.4-5.5%) was influenced predominantly by T 1 sample (P < 10 -6 ), whereas test-retest repeatability (median error = 0.2-8.3%) was influenced by the scanner (P < 10 -6 ). For the common VFA protocol, accuracy (median error = 5.7-32.2%) was influenced by field strength (P = 0.006), whereas repeatability (median error = 0.7-25.8%) was influenced by the scanner (P < 0.0001). Interplatform reproducibility with the common VFA was lower at 3 T than 1.5 T (P = 0.004), and lower than that of the common IR-SE protocol (coefficient of variation 1.5T: VFA/IR-SE = 11.13%/8.21%, P = 0.028; 3 T: VFA/IR-SE = 22.87%/5.46%, P = 0.001). Among the site-specific protocols, Look-Locker inversion recovery and VFA (2-3 flip angles) protocols showed the best accuracy and repeatability (errors < 15%)., Conclusions: The VFA protocols with 2 to 3 flip angles optimized for different applications achieved acceptable balance of extensive spatial coverage, accuracy, and repeatability in T 1 quantification (errors < 15%). Further optimization in terms of flip-angle choice for each tissue application, and the use of B 1 correction, are needed to improve the robustness of VFA protocols for T 1 mapping. Magn Reson Med 79:2564-2575, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine., (© 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.)

Neuromorphic computing promises to markedly improve the efficiency of certain computational tasks, such as perception and decision-making. Although software and specialized hardware implementations of neural networks have made tremendous accomplishments, both implementations are still many orders of magnitude less energy efficient than the human brain. We demonstrate a new form of artificial synapse based on dynamically reconfigurable superconducting Josephson junctions with magnetic nanoclusters in the barrier. The spiking energy per pulse varies with the magnetic configuration, but in our demonstration devices, the spiking energy is always less than 1 aJ. This compares very favorably with the roughly 10 fJ per synaptic event in the human brain. Each artificial synapse is composed of a Si barrier containing Mn nanoclusters with superconducting Nb electrodes. The critical current of each synapse junction, which is analogous to the synaptic weight, can be tuned using input voltage spikes that change the spin alignment of Mn nanoclusters. We demonstrate synaptic weight training with electrical pulses as small as 3 aJ. Further, the Josephson plasma frequencies of the devices, which determine the dynamical time scales, all exceed 100 GHz. These new artificial synapses provide a significant step toward a neuromorphic platform that is faster, more energy-efficient, and thus can attain far greater complexity than has been demonstrated with other technologies.

The MRI community is using quantitative mapping techniques to complement qualitative imaging. For quantitative imaging to reach its full potential, it is necessary to analyze measurements across systems and longitudinally. Clinical use of quantitative imaging can be facilitated through adoption and use of a standard system phantom, a calibration/standard reference object, to assess the performance of an MRI machine. The International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine AdHoc Committee on Standards for Quantitative Magnetic Resonance was established in February 2007 to facilitate the expansion of MRI as a mainstream modality for multi-institutional measurements, including, among other things, multicenter trials. The goal of the Standards for Quantitative Magnetic Resonance committee was to provide a framework to ensure that quantitative measures derived from MR data are comparable over time, between subjects, between sites, and between vendors. This paper, written by members of the Standards for Quantitative Magnetic Resonance committee, reviews standardization attempts and then details the need, requirements, and implementation plan for a standard system phantom for quantitative MRI. In addition, application-specific phantoms and implementation of quantitative MRI are reviewed. Magn Reson Med 79:48-61, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine., (© 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.)

Purpose: We present a breast phantom designed to enable quantitative assessment of measurements of T1 relaxation time, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and other attributes of breast tissue, with long-term support from a national metrology institute., Materials and Methods: A breast phantom was created with two independent, interchangeable units for diffusion and T1 /T2 relaxation, each with flexible outer shells. The T1 unit was filled with corn syrup solution and grapeseed oil to mimic the relaxation behavior of fibroglandular and fatty tissues, respectively. The diffusion unit contains plastic tubes filled with aqueous solutions of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) to modulate the ADC. The phantom was imaged at 1.5T and 3.0T using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners and common breast coils from multiple manufacturers to assess T1 and T2 relaxation time and ADC values., Results: The fibroglandular mimic exhibited target T1 values on 1.5T and 3.0T clinical systems (25-75 percentile range: 1289 to 1400 msec and 1533 to 1845 msec, respectively) across all bore temperatures. PVP solutions mimicked the range of ADC values from malignant tumors to normal breast tissue (40% PVP median: 633 × 10(-6) mm(2) /s to 0% PVP median: 2231 × 10(-6) mm(2) /s) at temperatures of 17-24°C. The interchangeable phantom units allowed both the diffusion and T1 /T2 units to be tested on the left and right sides of the coil to assess any variation., Conclusion: This phantom enables T1 and ADC measurements, fits in a variety of clinical breast coils, and can serve as a quality control tool to facilitate the standardization of quantitative measurements for breast MRI. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:610-619., (© 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.)

One of the core issues of nanotechnology involves masking the foreignness of nanomaterials to enable in vivo longevity and long-term immune evasion. Dextran-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are very effective magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents, and strategies to prevent immune recognition are critical for their clinical translation. Here we prepared 20 kDa dextran-coated SPIO nanoworms (NWs) of 250 nm diameter and a high molar transverse relaxivity rate R2 (∼400 mM(-1) s(-1)) to study the effect of cross-linking-hydrogelation with 1-chloro-2,3-epoxypropane (epichlorohydrin) on the immune evasion both in vitro and in vivo. Cross-linking was performed in the presence of different concentrations of NaOH (0.5 to 10 N) and different temperatures (23 and 37 °C). Increasing NaOH concentration and temperature significantly decrease the binding of anti-dextran antibody and dextran-binding lectin conconavalin A to the NWs. The decrease in dextran immunoreactivity correlated with the decrease in opsonization by complement component 3 (C3) and with the decrease in the binding of the lectin pathway factor MASP-2 in mouse serum, suggesting that cross-linking blocks the lectin pathway of complement. The decrease in C3 opsonization correlated with the decrease in NW uptake by murine peritoneal macrophages. Optimized NWs demonstrated up to 10 h circulation half-life in mice and minimal uptake by the liver, while maintaining the large 250 nm size in the blood. We demonstrate that immune recognition of large iron oxide nanoparticles can be efficiently blocked by chemical cross-linking-hydrogelation, which is a promising strategy to improve safety and bioinertness of MRI contrast agents.

Purpose: Prototype phantoms were designed, constructed, and characterized for the purpose of calibrating ultralow field magnetic resonance imaging (ULF MRI) systems. The phantoms were designed to measure spatial resolution and to quantify sensitivity to systematic variation of proton density and relaxation time, T1 ., Methods: The phantoms were characterized first with conventional magnetic resonance scanners at 1.5 and 3 T, and subsequently with a prototype ULF MRI scanner between 107 and 128 μT ., Results: The ULF system demonstrated a 2-mm spatial resolution and, using T1 measurements, distinguished aqueous solutions of MnCl2 differing by 20 μM  [Mn(2+) ]., Conclusion: The prototype phantoms proved well-matched to ULF MRI applications, and allowed direct comparison of the performance of ULF and clinical systems., (© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

In a hybrid superconducting-magnetic device, two order parameters compete, with one type of order suppressing the other. Recent interest in ultra-low-power, high-density cryogenic memories has spurred new efforts to simultaneously exploit superconducting and magnetic properties so as to create novel switching elements having these two competing orders. Here we describe a reconfigurable two-layer magnetic spin valve integrated within a Josephson junction. Our measurements separate the suppression in the superconducting coupling due to the exchange field in the magnetic layers, which causes depairing of the supercurrent, from the suppression due to the stray magnetic field. The exchange field suppression of the superconducting order parameter is a tunable and switchable behaviour that is also scalable to nanometer device dimensions. These devices demonstrate non-volatile, size-independent switching of Josephson coupling, in magnitude as well as phase, and they may enable practical nanoscale superconducting memory devices.

We have developed a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) microcapillary probe for the detection of single magnetic microbeads. The geometry of the probe has been optimized so that the signal from the background water has a similar magnitude compared to the signal from the dephased water nearby a single magnetic bead within the probe detector coil. In addition, the RF field of the coil must be uniform within the effective range of the magnetic bead. Three different RF probes were tested in a 7 T (300 MHz) pulsed NMR spectrometer with sample volumes ranging from 5 nL down to 1 nL. The 1 nL probe had a single-shot signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for pure water of 27 and a volume resolution that exhibits a 600-fold improvement over a conventional (5 mm tube) NMR probe with a sample volume of 18 μL. This allowed for the detection of a 1 μm magnetite/polystyrene bead (m=2×10(-14)Am(2)) with an estimated experimental SNR of 30. Simulations of the NMR spectra for the different coil geometries and positions of the bead within the coil were developed that include the B(0) shift near a single bead, the inhomogeneity of the coils, the local coil sensitivity, the skin effect of the coil conductor, and quantitated estimates of the proximity effect between coil windings., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Electron magnetic resonance (EMR) spectroscopy was used to determine the magnetic properties of maghemite (γ-Fe(2)O(3)) nanoparticles formed within size-constraining Listeria innocua (LDps)-(DNA-binding protein from starved cells) protein cages that have an inner diameter of 5 nm. Variable-temperature X-band EMR spectra exhibited broad asymmetric resonances with a superimposed narrow peak at a gyromagnetic factor of g ≈ 2. The resonance structure, which depends on both superparamagnetic fluctuations and inhomogeneous broadening, changes dramatically as a function of temperature, and the overall linewidth becomes narrower with increasing temperature. Here, we compare two different models to simulate temperature-dependent lineshape trends. The temperature dependence for both models is derived from a Langevin behavior of the linewidth resulting from "anisotropy melting." The first uses either a truncated log-normal distribution of particle sizes or a bi-modal distribution and then a Landau-Liftshitz lineshape to describe the nanoparticle resonances. The essential feature of this model is that small particles have narrow linewidths and account for the g ≈ 2 feature with a constant resonance field, whereas larger particles have broad linewidths and undergo a shift in resonance field. The second model assumes uniform particles with a diameter around 4 nm and a random distribution of uniaxial anisotropy axes. This model uses a more precise calculation of the linewidth due to superparamagnetic fluctuations and a random distribution of anisotropies. Sharp features in the spectrum near g ≈ 2 are qualitatively predicted at high temperatures. Both models can account for many features of the observed spectra, although each has deficiencies. The first model leads to a nonphysical increase in magnetic moment as the temperature is increased if a log normal distribution of particles sizes is used. Introducing a bi-modal distribution of particle sizes resolves the unphysical increase in moment with temperature. The second model predicts low-temperature spectra that differ significantly from the observed spectra. The anisotropy energy density K(1), determined by fitting the temperature-dependent linewidths, was ∼50 kJ/m(3), which is considerably larger than that of bulk maghemite. The work presented here indicates that the magnetic properties of these size-constrained nanoparticles and more generally metal oxide nanoparticles with diameters d < 5 nm are complex and that currently existing models are not sufficient for determining their magnetic resonance signatures.

Magnetization dynamics and field dependent magnetization of different devices based on 25-30 nm thick Permalloy (Py) films: such as single Py layers (Py/MgO; Py/CoFeB/Al2O3) and Py inserted as a magnetic layer in magnetic tunnel junctions (Py/CoFe/Al2O3/CoFe; Py/CoFeB/Al2O3/CoFe; Py/MgO/Fe) have been extensively studied within a temperature range between 300 K down to 5 K. The dynamic response was investigated in the linear regime measuring the ferromagnetic resonance response of the Py layers using broadband vector network analyzer technique. Both the static and the dynamic properties suggest the possible presence of a thermally induced spin reorientation transition in the Py interface at temperatures around 60 K in all the samples investigated. It seems, however, that the details of the interface between Py and the hardening ferromagnet/insulator structure, the atomic structure of Py layers (amorphous vs. textured) as well as the presence of dipolar coupling through the insulating barrier in the magnetic tunnel junction structures could strongly influence this low temperature reorientation transition. Our conclusions are indirectly supported by structural characterization of the samples by means of X-Ray diffraction and high resolution transmission electron microscopy techniques. Micromagnetic simulations indicate the possibility of strongly enhanced surface anisotropy in thin Py films over CoFe or CoFeB underlayers. Comparison of the simulations with experimental results also shows that the thermally-induced spin reorientation transition could be influenced by the presence of strong disorder at the surface.

The Finland trityl paramagnet is characterized by magnetic susceptibility and a new form of quantitative electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) that utilizes a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) as a detection method. This radical is of interest due to its use as a dynamic nuclear polarization agent as well as a potential magnetic refrigerant and quantum computing bit. The SQUID-EPR data show that the EPR linewidth of a concentrated trityl powder decreases dramatically from 4.4 to 1.4 mT as the temperature is increased from 1.8 to 10 K. The quantitative nature of SQUID-EPR is used to thermodynamically quantify the EPR energy transfer times and saturated fractions. At 95 GHz and 1.8 K, only 40% of the spins are in resonance at the onset of saturation. Conventional dc magnetic susceptibility over 1.8-150 K indicates an S=12 Curie-Weiss relationship with little long range interaction. Magnetization versus applied field at 1.8 and 4 K fits a Brillouin function with >80% electronic polarization at a normalized field of gmu(B)mu(0)HkT approximately 3. These results provide information required for theoretical modeling and engineering of the trityl radical for a wide range of applications.

The electrical response of an individual multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) and its contacts, welded to a coplanar waveguide (CPW), was measured up to 24 GHz using a technique that removes environment effects. This is the first time MWNT contact effects have been systematically isolated from the CPW. Each contact response was quite different and also showed a pronounced sensitivity to ambient light. Adding more contact material clearly changed the high-frequency electrical response and the sensitivity to light.

We have investigated the interaction mechanism between two nanocontact spin transfer oscillators made on the same magnetic spin valve multilayer. The oscillators phase lock when their precession frequencies are made similar, and a giant magnetoresistance signal is detectable at one contact due to precession at the other. Cutting the magnetic mesa between the contacts with a focused-ion beam modifies the contact outputs, eliminates the phase locking, and strongly attenuates the magnetoresistance coupling, which indicates that spin waves rather than magnetic fields are the primary interaction mechanism.

The spin torque effect that occurs in nanometre-scale magnetic multilayer devices can be used to generate steady-state microwave signals in response to a d.c. electrical current. This establishes a new functionality for magneto-electronic structures that are more commonly used as magnetic field sensors and magnetic memory elements. The microwave power emitted from a single spin torque nano-oscillator (STNO) is at present typically less than 1 nW. To achieve a more useful power level (on the order of microwatts), a device could consist of an array of phase coherent STNOs, in a manner analogous to arrays of Josephson junctions and larger semiconductor oscillators. Here we show that two STNOs in close proximity mutually phase-lock-that is, they synchronize, which is a general tendency of interacting nonlinear oscillator systems. The phase-locked state is distinct, characterized by a sudden narrowing of signal linewidth and an increase in power due to the coherence of the individual oscillators. Arrays of phase-locked STNOs could be used as nanometre-scale reference oscillators. Furthermore, phase control of array elements (phased array) could lead to nanometre-scale directional transmitters and receivers for wireless communications.

We have directly measured phase locking of spin transfer oscillators to an injected ac current. The oscillators lock to signals up to several hundred megahertz away from their natural oscillation frequencies, depending on the relative strength of the input. As the dc current varies over the locking range, time-domain measurements show that the phase of the spin transfer oscillations varies over a range of approximately +/-90 degrees relative to the input. This is in good agreement with general theoretical analysis of injection locking of nonlinear oscillators.

We have directly measured coherent high-frequency magnetization dynamics in ferromagnetic films induced by a spin-polarized dc current. The precession frequency can be tuned over a range of several gigahertz by varying the applied current. The frequencies of excitation also vary with applied field, resulting in a microwave oscillator that can be tuned from below 5 to above 40 GHz. This novel method of inducing high-frequency dynamics yields oscillations having quality factors from 200 to 800. We compare our results with those from single-domain simulations of current-induced dynamics.

Thin films of the superconductive oxide YBa2Cu3O7-x have been made by electron-beam coevaporation of the metals in an oxygen atmosphere onto single-crystal [001]-oriented SrTiO3 and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) substrates. The oxide films were superconducting in the as-deposited state (Tc = 81-83K, Jc = 10(6) A/cm2 at 4.2K). Bright-field imaging, selected-area diffraction (SAD), and high-resolution imaging in the transmission electron microscope were used to characterize the microstructure of these films. All of the films were polycrystalline. On SrTiO3 the films were oriented, for the most part, with [110] parallel to the substrate surface. On YSZ, two microstructures were observed: one with smaller rectangular grains oriented with (100) or (010) parallel to the substrate surface and the other with (001) parallel to the surface (i.e., c-axis up).