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Metrology of Ultra-Low Magnetic Fields

Welcome to the Core facility ''Metrology of Ultra-Low Magnetic Fields'' of PTB

Since 1 May 2017, the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt operates a new Core Facility called ''Metrology for Ultra-Low Magnetic Fields'' on its site in Berlin-Charlottenburg. Funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), PTB grants external scientists from universities, from international metrology institutes and from companies access to its know-how and to its equipment with instruments for the measurement of ultra-low magnetic fields – equipment which is unique in the world.

PTB has an excellent reputation in the field of biomedical metrology. Besides several magnetically shielded rooms, the Berlin Institute of PTB has accommodated since 2004 the best walk-in magnetically shielded room (BMSR-2). With a shielding factor of more than 107, a remaining field of less than 500 pT, and a gradient of 1.2 pT/mm, this room offers conditions for magnetic field measurements with highest resolution conditions that are unique in the world. This room could only be implemented by means of specially manufactured nonmagnetic structures and by selecting and carefully characterizing suitable materials.

SQUID magnetometers, which were developed by PTB itself, are used as sensors; they are able to detect magnetic fields down to just a few femtoteslas. With a noise as low as 150 aT/√Hz, they are among the most sensitive SQUID systems in the world.

At PTB, this measurement technology is used to carry out research on topics revolving around biosignal detection and processing, the nuclear spin precession of hyperpolarized noble gases, the characterization of magnetic nanoparticles and ultra-low-field nuclear magnetic resonance. Due to these versatile activities, the scientists from PTB have been able to gather exhaustive experience in the field of metrology of ultra-low magnetic fields.

For many years, these measurement facilities and capabilities – which are unique in the world – have not only served PTB's metrological activities, but have also been in increasing demand by external scientists from universities and industry. The Core facility "Metrology for Ultra-Low Magnetic Fields" is a new platform supporting in-house and external users in the best possible way within the scope of their research projects in the field of magnetic metrology.

Procedure for access to Core facility

Use of the core facility ''Metrology of ultra-low magnetic fields'' external users have to submit an application (see Opens internal link in current windowdocuments). 

 

Contact person: Dr. Jens Voigt
Opens window for sending emailcore.facility.ulfmag(at)ptb.de