QUANTUM DESIGN ANNOUNCES THE WORLD'S FASTEST SQUID MAGNETOMETER
— New VSM-based SQUID Magnetometer offers VSM speed and SQUID sensitivity —
BALTIMORE –March 13, 2006— At this year’s America Physical Society (APS) meeting in Baltimore, MD, Quantum Design introduced its latest SQUID magnetometer - the MPMS® SQUID VSM. Combining the speed of a Vibrating Sample Magnetometer with the sensitivity of a SQUID (Superconducting QUantum Interference Device) magnetometer, this new system offers a new level of performance in magnetic research. Joining the popular MPMS-XL line, the MPMS SQUID VSM gives researchers the choice between the world’s most versatile SQUID magnetometer and the fastest. The new MPMS SQUID VSM incorporates major advances in data acquisition, temperature control and magnetic field control.
Data Acquisition The FastLab™ data acquisition combines Quantum Design’s dc SQUID sensor and novel Vibrating Sample Magnetometer technology thus providing the ability to achieve <1 x 10-8 emu sensitivity at zero magnet field with 4-second data averaging. Further noise reduction in the design allows this system to achieve an unprecedented <5 x 10-8
emu sensitivity with 4 second averaging at the full field of 7 tesla.
Temperature Control The MPMS SQUID VSM uses the newly designed RapidTemp™ innovative temperature control design that allows the user to cool samples from room temperature to a stable 1.8 K in 30 minutes.The temperature control insert of the MPMS SQUID VSM uses a finely tuned flow impedance and sophisticated temperature control software to provide continuous operation at 1.8 K as well as smooth temperature control through the 4.2 K liquid helium boiling point. Heaters on the sample chamber can raise the temperature as high as 400 K. A thermal shield, anchored to a liquid nitrogen tank of the dewar, intercepts heat from a warm sample chamber and minimizes consumption of liquid helium when operating at higher temperatures.
Magnet Control The MPMS SQUID VSM utilizes a 7 Tesla, superconducting, helium-cooled magnet and a magnet controller designed specifically for the SQUID VSM to achieve precise, quiet control of the magnetic field. The SQUID VSM employs a unique superconducting switching element called the QuickSwitch™ (patent pending), which changes between superconducting and normal states in under one second. This allows rapid collection of high precision data.The QuickSwitch™ design also helps to minimize liquid helium consumption when ramping magnetic field, as compared to more traditional superconducting persistent switch technology. Further aiding the instrument’s low helium consumption is the use of high temperature superconductor (HTS) magnet leads anchored to a liquid nitrogen tank. The nitrogen shield in this design absorbs a great deal of room temperature heat that would otherwise be conducted to the helium bath. Additional information regarding the new MPMS SQUID VSM or other Quantum Design products can also be obtained from the Quantum Design web page at http://www.qdusa.com/. Established in 1982, Quantum Design manufactures its MPMS® (Magnetic Property Measurement System) and PPMS® (Physical Property Measurement System) lines, which have become the industry standard for researchers in the fields of physics, materials science, and chemistry.
