Atomic magnetometers for medical applications

Alkali-metal-vapour atomic magnetometers have emerged as a promising non-cryogenic, low-cost alternative to SQUIDs in biomagnetic applications. Atomic magnetometers have demonstrated ability to detect MEG and MCG signals from human subjects. Here we aim to develop two novel atomic magnetometers specifically aimed at medical applications. The first magnetometer will be based on an indirect optical pumping technique developed at the National Physical Laboratory which allows for extreme sensitivity while operating at room temperature. This magnetometer will be suitable for MEG/MCG measurements. The second magnetometer will allow performing magnetic induction tomography, and it is based on a recent technique developed at UCL. This magnetometer will allow us to create a map of the conductivity of the heart, which is an essential tool in the clinical treatment of atrial fibrillation.

The project is co-funded by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and the PhD student will spend the first 18 months at NPL, and the remaining 18 ones at UCL.