? The long-term goal of this research program is to develop an optical magnetometer for use in fetal magnetocardiography (fMCG) and fetal magnetoencephalography {fMEG) systems. We believe that the proposed magnetometer, based on a major recent discovery,represents the first viable alternative to SQUID magnetometers; thus,the potential impact of the research on the field of biomagnetism is enormous. Utilization of fMCG and fMEG has been limited by the high cost of acquisition and maintenance associated with SQUID technology. The optical magnetometer can mitigate these disadvantages while n maintaining or even surpassing the magnetic field sensitivity of SQUID magnetometers. Thus far only the high sensitivity of the device has been demonstrated. The short-term goal of the research is to construct a device that is practical for human studies, while maintaining the high magnetic field sensitivity.
The specific aims are: 1. To build a optical magnetometer/gradiometer that utilizes rubidium atoms and achieves a magnetic field sensitivity 10A-14 T/(Hz)A1/2. 2. To construct a miniaturized prototype magnetometer that would be practical for fetal n magnetocardiography. 3. To evaluate the performance of the magnetometer by assessing its signal and noise characteristics and by conducting phantom studies. 4. To justify classification of the magnetometer as a nonsignificant risk by assessing and eliminating n potential safety hazards. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
1R21RR019989-01A1
Application #
6922577
Study Section
Biomedical Imaging Technology Study Section (BMIT)
Program Officer
Levy, Abraham
Project Start
2005-09-22
Project End
2007-07-31
Budget Start
2005-09-22
Budget End
2006-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$212,286
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Wisconsin Madison
Department
Physics
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
161202122
City
Madison
State
WI
Country
United States
Zip Code
53715