Establishing thermal noise magnetometry for magnetic nanoparticle characterization

• Applicant: Dr. Frank Wiekhorst
• Subject Area: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: from 2019 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 421747196

Magnetic nanoparticles are currently a major area of research due to their numerous applications in biomedicine and nanotechnology. For these applications to reach their full potential, it is essential to have a thorough knowledge about the nanoparticles and their physical behaviour. All conventional magnetometry methods gain this information by measuring the response of the magnetic nanoparticles to an externally applied excitation field. This is disadvantageous because these excitations are known to influence the aggregation state and thus the measurement results. Unlike any of the previous methods, Thermal Noise Magnetometry (TNM) is an equilibrium measurement method that does not rely on any external excitation field. Therefore, TNM is able to measure the particle properties without an external field in an environment close to the tissue in the human body, where they might be applied to read out binding assays and estimate the amount of biological aggregation.The principal feasibility of TNM was recently demonstrated by the authors of this project proposal. In this project, we want to establish this new measurement method by demonstrating its potential to complement conventional magnetic characterization techniques and its usefulness in applications. Finally, we aim to develop a less complex setup to increase its accessibility.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Belgium
• Cooperation Partner: Dr. Jonathan Lelaert