Calibration and Thermal Analysis of a Conformal SERF Magnetometer Array for MEG Applications.
Alexander, Elizabeth.
2013
-
Abstract: In
magnetoencephalography (MEG), a measurement of the magnetic field produced by the brain,
it is critical for the distance between the magnetometers and the brain to be small and
unchanging. Limitations of SQUIDs, the magnetometers used in most MEG systems, make this
requirement difficult to meet. SERF magnetometers have been proposed as an alternative
technology for use in more ... read moreportable and flexible MEG systems. This research considers
two of the challenges associated with an array of SERF magnetometers attached to a
conformal cap. First, for meaningful measurements in MEG, it is important for the
locations and orientations of magnetometers to be known. This information can be
estimated using the magnetometers' measurements of a known magnetic field produced by a
configuration of magnetic dipoles, but the estimation algorithm is extremely sensitive
to the dipole configuration. This thesis introduces a graphical tool to assess the
quality of a configuration of magnetic dipoles. Second, the core of SERF magnetometers
has a high operating temperature. This work finds a thermal insulation layout that
allows for a small overall magnetometer package size while maintaining proper operation
temperature and preventing thermal injury to a
patient.
Thesis (M.S.)--Tufts University, 2013.
Submitted to the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.
Advisor: Jason Rife.
Committee: Joseph Kinast, and Michael Zimmerman.
Keywords: Mechanical engineering, and Physics.read less - ID:
- j9602b57b
- Component ID:
- tufts:21853
- To Cite:
- TARC Citation Guide EndNote
