Abstract draft-updated

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Spectroscopy is a technique for studying paramagnetic species.   Low Frequency Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (LFEPR) spectroscopy is a variation of EPR that was developed to study larger objects (around 15 cm in diameter) containing paramagnetic species non-invasively. The LFEPR Mobile Universal Surface Explorer (MOUSE) spectroscopy is a further variation of the technique that is expected to enable the study of paramagnetic species on surfaces. Similar to LFEPR, EPR MOUSE has two main components: (i) the magnet and (ii) the radio frequency (RF) probe.  

The ability of the EPR MOUSE to non-invasively analyze objects allows it to assist in studying the surface of culturally significant artifacts. The purpose of this project is to characterize the magnetic field of various magnet designs that can be used in the construction of the EPR MOUSE, and assess the sensitivity of the radio frequency (RF) probe, which will then determine the concentration of the paramagnetic species that can be detected. The magnetic field of various magnet designs will be simulated using the Finite Element Method Magnetics software, and the accuracy of the models will be assessed using experimental measurements. The sensitivity of the RF probe will be measured under specific conditions with species that have stable free radicals. The characterization of the magnetic field and the measurement of the sensitivity of the RF probe will help us in the final design and construction of the EPR MOUSE spectrometer.




Old version:

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Spectroscopy is a technique for studying paramagnetic species.   Low Frequency Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (LFEPR) spectroscopy is a variation of EPR that was developed to study larger objects non-invasively (around 15 cm in diameter) containing paramagnetic species. The LFEPR Mobile Universal Surface Explorer (MOUSE) spectroscopy is a further variation of the technique that is expected to enable the study of paramagnetic species on surfaces. Similar to LFEPR, EPR MOUSE has two main components: (i) the magnet and (ii) the radio frequency (RF) probe.  

The ability of the EPR MOUSE to non-invasively analyze objects allows it to assist in studying the surface of culturally significant artifacts. The purpose of this project is to characterize the magnetic field of various magnet designs that can be used in the construction of the EPR MOUSE, and assess the sensitivity of the radio frequency (RF) probe, which will then determine the concentration of the paramagnetic species that can be detected. The magnetic field of various magnet designs will be simulated using the Finite Element Method Magnetics software, and the accuracy of the models will be assessed using experimental measurements. The sensitivity of the RF probe will be measured under specific conditions, using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), which contains stable free radicals, and is used as a reference material for EPR measurements. The characterization of the magnetic field and the measurement of the sensitivity of the RF probe will help us in the final design and construction of the EPR MOUSE spectrometer.