Technology


Promising medical device creates images from weak magnetic fields at room temperature


TDK and Yokohama National University (YNU) have developed an imaging diagnostic technology based on a high-sensitivity magnetic sensor that detects weak magnetic fields at room temperature. Its magnetic field detection performance almost equals that of the superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) flux meter, which requires cooling, which is expensive. Te prototype technology is related to


the magnetic-particle imaging method intended to detect and create images of magnetic particles accumulated in a tumour or blood vessel. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)


diagnostics and X-ray computerised tomography (CT) scanning clinically diagnose organ health, tumours and other conditions using the contrasting density of imaged objects. By comparison, magnetic particle imaging is used to detect only the tracers in the imaged objects, to create images similar to positron-emission tomography (PET) and similar technologies. Te principle of magnetic-particle imaging


is to detect the magnetic fields generated by particles accumulated in a tumour or blood vessel from outside the body (see figure


above). When used in medical imaging, it is important for devices to be highly sensitive to enable the detection of tiny amounts of magnetic particles. Tough magnetic-particle imaging technologies primarily use the voltage induced in detection coils, the new technology developed by YNU utilises a prototype high- sensitivity magnetic sensor to achieve this. Although still under development, the


prototype sensor has been used in a feasibility study to measure magnetic field distribution in a heart. Trough this development, the


sensor successfully reduced the strength of the magnetic fields applied from outside the body to one tenth of previous levels. Tis reduced strength of the applied field is due to the non-linear response characteristics of the sensor to the measured magnetic field. Now it is expected that high-sensitivity magnetic sensors will enable magnetic particles to be detected across more of the body, including the head. Te next step for the team is to further develop the imaging device for clinical use.


New funding boosts the UK’s future in quantum


manufacturing A joint project between Ionoptika and the University of Surrey has received a £425,000 grant from Innovate UK to focus on new manufacturing technologies for quantum devices. Te project, called “Rapid and Scaleable Single Colour-Centre Implantation for Single Photon Sources”, may lead to a unique product that could revolutionise quantum computing. “Te ability to precisely control the


implantation of ions at the single-atom level offers enormous potential to the newly- emerging quantum technologies that are set to revolutionise the world,” said Dr David Cox from the University of Surrey. Quantum technologies are expected to impact multiple sectors from more secure


online communications to personalised medicine. However, to date only a handful of companies, such as IBM and Google, have successfully built a basic quantum computer, because of the extreme challenges to manufacture and operate these devices. Tis new Innovate grant will open up new scaleable manufacturing methods to researchers in the UK and around the world. Te teams will use beams of ionised atoms to


create quantum devices one at a time using rare Earth elements such as erbium and ytterbium. Ion beams are used widely in the scientific and manufacturing sectors, from the production of computer chips to medical diagnostic instrumentation and cancer treatment. Te technique, known as ion implantation, has been used for decades to make modern computer


chips, and benefits from being much quicker than other manufacturing methods. Te main limitation of the technique for quantum applications has been the inability to precisely control the location and numbers of implanted ions at the single-ion level. Te new tool from Ionoptika, called Q-One, solves this problem yet is still fast enough to implant one thousand quantum bits (qubits) every second. “Quantum technologies are set to


drive the next generation of innovation and technologies. We [Ionoptika and the University of Surrey] are developing the tools and infrastructure that will be needed to realise many of these exciting quantum applications,” said Paul Blenkinsopp, Managing Director at Ionoptika.


www.electronicsworld.co.uk October 2021 05 Device operation


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