Stray-field magnetic resonance imaging of solid materials

NMR imaging has experienced a tremendous increase in its use in a diverse range of investigations, particularly in the field of medical diagnostics. With regard to NMR imaging of solid materials, a number of challenges must be overcome before solid-state NMR imaging can experience widespread use. To date, a variety of strategies has been proposed for obtaining solid-state NMR images. In this paper, we will review the literature dealing with a specific solid-state NMR imaging method, stray-field imaging. We will describe our implementation of a two-dimensional version of the stray-field imaging method on a commercial instrument capable of collecting wideline NMR data and the use of this method in the examination of solid materials of interest in the aerospace industry.     

Subject index to volume 39

Measurements of the normal component of the stray-field at the surface of small permanent magnets were performed with a vibrating pick-up loop magnetometer with high geometrical resolution. They show a structure which reveals deviations from the desired magnetization configuration. A calculation method originally developed for soft magnetic materials was extended to calculations on permanent magnets. The real demagnetization characteristic of the material is introduced into the calculation using two independent susceptibility components. Thus the magnetic surface charges, the stray-field and the magnetization configuration can be calculated.     

Magnetic force microscopy study of magnetic stray-field effects due to mechanical surface modifications of patterned Permalloy thin films

The domain structure of magnetic thin films is strongly influenced by the presence of surface defects. We have used a scanning tunneling microscope for local surface modifications of thin Permalloy films by mechanical interaction between tip and sample. The changes of the magnetic stray-field distribution due to local topographic modifications have been probed by magnetic force microscopy. The relationship between the surface morphology and the micromagnetic structure is studied for different types of surface modifications.     

Application of the matrizant method to calculate the third-order aberration coefficients for a sector magnetic field including fringing-field effects

The matrizant method is used to study the nonlinear dynamics of charged particles in magnetic sector analyzers. The calculations of matrizants (transfer matrices) allow for both fringing-field effects due to the stray field and higher harmonics of the sector magnetic field (up to the third order). For the rectangular distribution of the field components along the optical axis, analytical expressions for the aberration coefficients (including dispersion ones) are derived up to the third order. In the simulation of real fields with a nonzero stray-field width, the smooth distribution of the field components is employed. The aberration coefficients for this distribution were calculated by means of a conservative numerical method.     

Stray-Field Imaging of Planar Films Using a Novel Surface Coil

A surface-coil approach to stray-field magnetic resonance imaging (STRAFI), which has certain advantages for the profiling of planar films and layers, is described. Frequency-swept and Fourier-transform versions of the experiment, which are particularly suitable for use with the coil, are reported. As an example application, a latex coating is analyzed during the evaporative drying process, in which a colloidal dispersion is transformed to a continuous polymer film. The ultimate achievable resolution is discussed and contrasted with conventional MR microscopy.     

Dipolar coupling effect in magnetic bilayer system

Equilibrium micromagnetic structures in a bilayer system composed of two thin cobalt films separated by a non magnetic spacer are systematically analysed. These 2D magnetization distributions are obtained by numerical computations according to different set of magnetic and geometric parameters. The coupling effect due to the dipolar long range interaction (or stray-field effect) between the two Co layers is studied through the evolution of the magnetic pattern in the stack with or without an applied field and compared to a continuous film of same thickness. Special attention is paid to the hysteresis process in a bilayer. Even though the general aspect of the magnetization distribution looks like a Landau-Lifshitz structure, the absence of any core in the vortex of the magnetic structure is analysed in relation to a possible disappearence of (topological) hysteresis. Received 12 December 2001     

Spin configurations in nanostructured magnetic rings: From DC transport to GHz spectroscopy

We report three different experiments performed on permalloy nanorings. They address either (a) the stray-field and (b) the magnetoresistance characteristics of an individual nanoring, or (c) the magnetization dynamics of a periodic array of identical rings. Interestingly, in all three properties covering the frequency range from DC to 20 GHz we observe irreversible switching and hysteretic behavior. Localized spin waves, which are excited by ferromagnetic resonance in different ring segments, are found to obey an intriguing magnetic field dispersion. We attribute this to the characteristic spin configurations in the nanorings, i.e., the onion and the vortex states, which are controlled by the external magnetic field.     

T1-weighting of Hahn echo-trains in the stray-field for deuterium: prospects for imaging using long echo-train summation

Hahn-echoes have been observed in stray-field gradients of 37.5 T/m and 74.5 T/m for deuterium in heavy water in a number of forms: liquid, ice, and coordinated in solid copper sulfate and silica gel. In the diamagnetic samples, the application of many pulses (>1000 or more) in long pulse-trains produced many sustained echoes. This lengthening of T_echo is caused by T₁-weighting of the components of the Hahn echo (even in the absence of spin-locking). In contrast, for the paramagnetic complex, the shortening of T₁ greatly reduces T_echo and only few echoes are obtained. A new protocol for stray field imaging is suggested when T₁ is long: long echo-train summation (LETS). The observed magnetisation is much greater for heavy ice than for heavy water because the line-width, and hence the thickness of the excited slice, is greater.     

The first proton NMR imaging of ice: stray-field imaging and relaxation studies

A proton magnetic resonance image of ice was observed with the stray-field (STRAFI) technique. A preliminary study of proton relaxation times was performed in water and ice, at different temperatures. For example, a value of 3.5 micros for the spin-spin relaxation time, T(2), was found in ice at 258 K. Such a short T(2) value leads to significant signal loss, as compared to liquid water, and to a shortening of the STRAFI echo-trains. In particular, a STRAFI signal for protons in ice could be observed only at echo times as short as 15 and 25 micros, for RF pulse durations corresponding to 90 degrees and 50 degrees magnetisation tip angles, respectively. This behaviour is in contrast with that of deuteriated water. Imaging ice, as shown here, opens new prospects in studies involving environmental and materials science, for example.     

Ultracompact polarization converter with a dual subwavelength trench built in a silicon-on-insulator waveguide

The design and fabrication of an ultracompact silicon-on-insulator polarization converter is reported. The polarization conversion with an extinction ratio of 16 dB is achieved for a conversion length of only 10 μm. Polarization rotation is achieved by inducing a vertical asymmetry by forming in the waveguide core two subwavelength trenches of different depths. By taking advantage of the calibrated reactive ion etch lag, the two depths are implemented using a single mask and etching process. The measured converter loss is -0.7 dB and the 3 dB bandwidth is 26 nm.     

Ultrashort pulses from semiconductor diode lasers

Careful design of mounting structures and drive-circuit parameters is essential to obtain very short pulse-lengths with high peak powers from semiconductor diode lasers. We have developed a diode laser model using a coupled rate equation approach to predict operating regimes producing ultrashort output pulses. The model has been refined through comparison with experiment, and a 10 ps source, designed on the basis of this model, has been implemented.     

Dual-band microwave duplexer based on spiral resonators (SR) and complementary split ring resonators (CSRR)

In this work, a microstrip dual-band microwave duplexer implemented by means of a pair of dual-band branch-line hybrid couplers and a pair of dual-band band-stop filters is presented. The hybrid couplers are implemented by using complementary split ring resonators (CSRRs), etched in the ground plane, while the band-stop filters are made of spiral resonators (SRs) coupled to the host line. The measured duplexer characteristics are good and the device is compact by virtue of the small electrical size of the employed resonant elements. From this paper, it is clear that CSRRs and SRs are useful particles for the design of dual-band microwave systems requiring various microwave components.     

中国加速器驱动次临界系统主加速器初步物理设计

中国加速器驱动次临界系统（C-ADS）计划采用一个平均流强为10 mA的连续波质子加速器作为次临界堆的驱动器,驱动加速器的束流功率为15 MW,最终能量1.5 GeV,其中主加速器是驱动加速器的一个重要部分,完成束流能量从10 MeV到1.5 GeV的加速,所有加速腔均采用超导结构。为了避免频繁束流中断对反应堆的损坏,设计要求驱动加速器在运行过程中束流可以中断的次数非常有限,因此加速器在设计过程植入了容错机制,尝试了各种可能的方法以最大程度地满足C-ADS加速器的高可靠性和稳定性的要求。介绍了C-ADS主加速器的基本设计: 总长度306.4 m, 束流的归一化RMS发射度增长控制在5%以内。总结了各个重要参数选择过程中的考虑以及整个加速段多粒子跟踪模拟的束流动力学结果。     

A stray-field imaging,CRAMPS and MQMAS study of the drying process of precasting materials used in a steel-making converter

Optimization of the drying process conditions in a steel-making converter in a steel works is very difficult since the process is off-line and time-consuming. However, it is important to optimize drying process conditions (temperature, surface active agents, etc.), as steam explosion can readily occur with insufficient drying time. To help understanding, we have demonstrated that we can monitor the drying of real refractory mortar with stray-field imaging. We chose, this method because of the possibility of detecting shortT ₂ components. This paper shows the effect of varying water content in different materials on the drying rate. In particular, we find that the free-water loss rate is relatively independent of water content. However the bound-water loss rate is more affected. Also, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) (¹H-CRAMPS and²⁷Al M(3 and 5)QMAS) studies are performed to clarify the change of chemical structure by drying treatment. It is clear that imaging and solid-state NMR give useful information to optimize drying conditions. With this data, we can adjust and optimize the drying process and time in steel works.     

基于FPGA的千兆以太网光纤转换器的设计

根据实际高清晰度LED大屏幕显示器远距离的传输需求,为了解决千兆以太网5类非屏蔽双绞线最长100米传输距离的瓶颈问题,选用了传输距离较远的光纤取代原有的5类非屏蔽双绞线。出于成本考虑,不改变原有发送与接收系统结构,设计了一种千兆以太网光纤转换器,通过基于FPGA的光纤端和千兆以太网端数据格式的转换及控制模块的设计,实现了以太网双绞线和光纤两种介质间的相互转换。将该转换器应用于高清晰度LED显示屏的实时数字视频传输系统中,取得了良好的效果,实现了远达10千米的实时数字视频传输,满足了未来一段时期内用户的需求,达到了设计的预期目标。     

Manipulating superconductivity in perpendicularly magnetized FSF triple layers

We investigate the superconducting transition temperature T_c of epitaxial ferromagnet/superconductor/ferromagnet (FSF) triple layers with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Due to the different coercive fields of the top and bottom F layers (F=[Co/Pt] multilayer) different magnetized states can be achieved: a fully magnetized state where the F layer magnetizations are parallel oriented, a state DM where one layer is demagnetized, and a state DD where both layers are demagnetized. T_c is maximum in the fully magnetized state and decreases consecutively from the DM to the DD state due to the different contributions from magnetic stray fields originating from the domain walls present in the demagnetized layers. The role of the proximity effect and the effect of the stray fields on the superconductivity in the S layer can be distinguished by analyzing the temperature dependence of the upper critical field and by comparison with data taken on an FISIF multilayer where I is an insulating SiO₂ barrier. Hence, we demonstrate that T_c can be manipulated by the intentional creation of different stray-field configurations in the F layers. PACS 68.55.JK; 74.45.+c; 74.78.Db; 74.78.Fk; 75.47.-m     

基于Ansys的光学器件热变形仿真与分析

由于环境温度的作用,光学器件在应用环境中的热变形对光学仪器的整体性能产生重要影响,利用有限元分析系统对光学器件进行热变形分析,为器件设计提供科学依据和有效支持。提出基于Ansys的热变形仿真分析方法。该方法包括问题分析、Ansys热变形仿真和数据分析3个步骤,并对每一步内容作了详细阐述和说明。以某光学仪器的关键器件为分析对象,用该方法进行了热变形仿真,应用Matlab软件进行结果数据分析,得到了器件反射镜面在40℃和-10℃环境温度影响下产生的平行差分别为7.62412″和8.56317″。所得结果与实验结果基本一致,证实了该方法的有效性。     

小阻尼封闭空间声压级灵敏度分析与优化设计

本文研究了小阻尼界面封闭空间低频声学有限元分析、灵敏度分析和优化设计问题。分别用模态法和直接法计算了封闭空间内声压级响应，并推导了声压级响应对声空间边界形状控制参数的灵敏度分析公式，在此基础上建立了小阻尼空间声学问题的优化模型，同时给出了优化求解算法，并在JIFEX软件中进行了程序实现。本文提出的灵敏度分析和优化设计方法可以使声场的边界布局更为合理，从而达到改进小阻尼界面封闭空间声学性能的目的。数值算例验证了本文提出的灵敏度分析和优化算法的有效性。     

A multi-stage high-speed railroad vibration isolation system with “negative” stiffness

The intensity of mechanical vibrations generated by a moving train increases at high speeds. Conventional railroad vibration isolation systems are either insensitive or inefficient in the infra-low frequency range, which is the range most hazardous to humans. In this work, an approach for upgrading a multi-stage system for engineers, crew, passengers, and people living near railroads is presented. The approach involves the design of geometrically similar redundant mechanisms with “negative” stiffness that could be compactly inserted into all system stages without degrading structure and safety. The approach is implemented in the design of seat suspensions. Finally, a concept relevant to the design of mechanisms for vehicle spring hangers and track bed elements is discussed in terms of the dimensional analysis.     

Parity checking and generating circuit with semiconductor optical amplifier in all-optical domain

In this paper, an all-optical parity checker and parity generator circuit is proposed in which SOA-MZI configuration is used to implement the XOR logic gate. This performance monitoring logic device is simulated at ultra high speed i.e. 120 GHz. Two logic circuits are proposed for parity generator, in one design inverter used to generate parity bit is implemented by the same additional XOR gate as inverter while in 2nd design inverter is implemented using XGM in SOA and thus number of SOA in 2nd design is reduced. ER ratio achieved in 1st case is 9.28 with maximum Q factor 73.39 and minimum BER 0 while in 2nd design it is 9.35 with maximum Q factor 8.41 and minimum BER 1.93e−17. ER ratio achieved in parity checker circuit is 32.54 with maximum Q factor 77.76 and minimum BER 0.