Long-range stray field mapping of statically magnetized nanoparticles using magnetoresistive sensor

Analyzing the spatial distribution of stray field from magnetic nanoparticles is a crucial step to design and optimize the magnetometric system for a clinical magnetic particle imaging (MPI) scanner. Here, we used a magnetoresistive (MR) sensor to probe the stray field directly from a commercial magnetic nanoparticle suspension conditioned under a static field. For a given 20 mT by a small permanent magnet, the stray field of a liquid sample with a 0.7 mg Fe iron mass is in nanotesla order measured by the MR sensor at 50 mm apart from the sample, while the magnetization is comparable to several microtesla. This field decay demands picotesla sensitivity of the sensing system to record the stray field for a further distance or a smaller excitation field. Moreover, from a two-dimensional trajectory of sample and magnet movements relative to the sensor position, we confirmed that the spatial distribution of the stray field appeared to correlate with sample geometry. The distribution became broadening for low iron mass concentration of the sample. From this observation, an MR sensor proves its potential for locating the magnetic nanoparticles under a quasistatic field, which can be extensively implemented for a single-sided MPI scanner. Published under an exclusive license by AIP Publishing.

Automated summary

Analyzing the spatial distribution of stray field from magnetic nanoparticles is crucial for designing and optimizing magnetometric systems in clinical magnetic particle imaging scanners. In this study, a magnetoresistive sensor was used to directly measure the stray field from a commercial magnetic nanoparticle suspension under a static field. The results show that the spatial distribution of the stray field is correlated with the geometry of the sample.