Extremely sensitive, non-cryogenic
Ultra-Sensitive Spinner Magnetometer (USM) Features and Functionalities
Unveiling the Power of the Ultra-Sensitive Spinning Magnetometer (USM)
The Ultra-Sensitive Spinning Magnetometer (USM) stands for a new generation of spinning magnetometers with advanced sensor technology at an affordable price. With its large dynamic range, easy maintenance, and no need for superconducting parts, the USM is a cost-effective and versatile research tool. Due to its small footprint and ability to work without cooling systems or shielded rooms, the USM is made to fit in every laboratory. Our comprehensive brochure provides an in-depth exploration of the USM’s capabilities. From high-precision measurement to the unique homogeneity indication feature, the brochure details the many ways the USM can enhance your research.
Main Purposes
- Highest precision measurement of remanent magnetization in standard, homogeneous one-inch core samples without the cost, maintenance, and space requirements of a superconducting rock magnetometer.
- Collection of accurate data on the magnetic properties of various materials, aiding researchers in their studies.
- Indication of the level of sample homogeneity within a sample, providing critical insights into the uniformity of the sample’s magnetic properties.
Key Features
| Extremely sensitive, non-cryogenic magnetometer | Without dependency on superconducting parts, the USM operates extremely reliably and does not involve any external devices or cooling |
| Easy and rapid measurement procedure | Intuitive software, custom sample holders, and an automatic rotator (optional) ensure an efficient workflow |
| Large dynamic range | The USM uniquely covers a measurement range spanning 11 magnitudes with a noise level of only 8×10-12 Am2 and promotes a wide range of applications from analyzing weakly magnetic environmental and biological samples to investigating strongly magnetized synthetic materials |
| Measurement of fragile samples | The USM’s slow spinning rate of 2 Hz allows the measurement of fragile materials, such as unconsolidated sediments |
| Extensions available | The availability of three different extensions for the USM (see below) allows the instrument to be customized to the exact needs of your studies. Its small footprint additionally ensures it can be used in every laboratory |
| Multi-sense and movable sensor (optional) | The use of a multi-sense setup and an adjustable sensor position inside the sample cavity allows for an increased measurement range and precision for various sample geometries, thus ensuring optimal results for all kinds of specimens |
Additional Functionalities
- Custom exchangeable sample holders for a variety of sample sizes and geometries
- Quad-layer permalloy shielded measurement cavity ensures minimal influence from external magnetic fields, even without external compensation
- Automatic adjustment of attenuation and rotations based on sample strength
These features and functionalities make the USM a versatile and portable device for the measurement of remanent magnetization in standard core samples. Its compact design, easy operation, and additional functionalities enhance the magnetic analysis process and enable efficient data collection.
Specifications
| Specification | Value (Basic version) |
|---|---|
| Dynamic range | 8×10-12 – 1×10-6 Am2 (8×10-9 – 1×10-3 emu) |
| Sensitivity (one-inch core) | < 8×10-12 Am2 |
| Residual field | < 5 nT |
| Specimen dimensions | ∅ 3-25 mm, 23 mm cube or prism. Others upon request. |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 42 cm x 37 cm x 90 cm |
| Spinning frequency | 2 Hz |
| Sample handling | manual |
Available Extensions
- Movable sensor to maximize the instrument’s sensitivity for different sample geometries, e.g., for mini cores, the sensitivity is increased by one order of magnitude compared to standard one-inch cores
- Multi-sense to increase measurement range up to 0.1 Am2 for strong samples
- Rotation function to enable automated measurements where the sample only needs to be inserted manually once
Note that the available extensions for the USM can be added later on without shipping the device back to us.
| Extension | Affected Property | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Movable Sensor | Sensitivity (mini core) | 7×10-13 Am2 |
| Multi-sense | Measurement range | 8×10-12 – 0.1 Am2 (8×10-9 – 100 emu) |
| Rotator | Sample handling | automatic |
Measuring Remanent Magnetization and Indicating Sample Homogeneity
USM Application Fields
Whether unraveling the mysteries of Earth’s magnetic past or studying environmental changes, the Ultra-Sensitive Spinning Magnetometer (USM) empowers researchers to delve deeper into the magnetic world and extract valuable insights from their samples.
Paleomagnetism
- Determination of characteristic magnetic remanence direction and magnetization intensity in oriented rock samples or burned archaeological artifacts.
- Plate tectonic reconstructions, investigation of the nature and history of the geomagnetic field, and magnetostratigraphy.
Geochronology
- Dating of rock sequences (lava flows or sediments) through polarity and paleointensity magnetostratigraphy.
- Provides insights into the chronological framework of geological formations.
Rock Magnetism:
- Investigation of the magnetic properties of rocks, sediments, or soils.
- Understanding the formation processes of rocks and the acquisition of their magnetization.
- Determination of proxy parameters related to grain size, mineralogy, or origin of the investigated materials.
Archaeology & Magnetometry:
- Characterization of the magnetic properties of soil samples and other materials from archaeological sites.
- Refinement of the interpretation of magnetic anomalies in magnetograms.
- Determination of paleointensity of baked archaeological artifacts for dating purposes.
Environmental Sciences:
- Assessment of environmental changes using the magnetic properties of soil and sediments.
- Proxy indicators for paleoclimatic and paleoceanographic studies.
Please note that some of these applications require the use of additional demagnetizing equipment. The USM itself serves as a tool for measuring remanent magnetization and indicating sample homogeneity in standard, homogeneous one-inch core samples.