2G SRM755R superconducting rock magnetometer
The superconducting magnetometer for the automated measurement of U-channels 2G-755-4K SRM, from Applied Physics Systems, is a unique equipment in Catalonia. The equipment allows high-resolution measurements to be carried out in a fast, programmable, non-destructive and sustainable way.
The new magnetometer facilitates multidisciplinary and excellent research aligned with the challenges of Horizon Europe (climate change, natural resources and sustainability and/or geological risks) and allows to serve researchers in the fields of Earth Sciences and Archaeology, Paleoecology, Paleoceanography, Limnology and the study of global change.Features of the equipment
The superconducting magnetometer for automatic measurement in U-channels is designed for the measurement of rock cores/continuous sediments. U-channels are rigid plastic tubes of up to 1.5 m in U shape (2 x 2 cm in section) that are nailed on the cores to encompass the sediment. The continuous measurement of U-channels in this equipment allows to acquire high quality paleomagnetic and paleoenvironmental data quickly and non-destructively. Continuous measurements involve an increase of several orders of magnitude in data acquisition, which allows high-resolution records on paleoecological and paleoenvironmental changes recorded in sediments.
The magnetometer has 3 orthogonally arranged SQUID sensors that allow simultaneously measuring the X-Y-Z components of the sample's remanent magnetization. The sensitivity of the sensors is around 10-9 emu (10-12 Am2). In addition, it is equipped with an automatic sample holder and several coils in line for the demagnetization of samples by alternating fields (AF) and/or the imparting of anhysteretic remanent magnetization (ARM). The automatic arm and the different online reels allow the programming and automation of the sequences of demagnetization and measurement of the remaining magnetization, increasing the speed of the measurements.Applications of Technology
The measurement of remanent magnetization in sediment cores using U-channels can provide a continuous record of secular variation of the geomagnetic field and/or geomagnetic polarity changes, allowing for precise dating of the stratigraphic record. U-channels can also be used to study the magnetic properties of sediments for environmental magnetism research. Since these are non-destructive measurements, the chronological frameworks obtained through paleomagnetism can be complemented with information on magnetic mineralogy and other mineralogical and/or isotopic data to accurately characterize the paleoclimatic and paleoecological conditions recorded in the sediment cores.
Funding
The equipment has been funded with 701,310€ thanks to the grant EQC2021-007274-P from the Ministry of Science and Innovation and the European Union’s Next Generation EU funds (2021 call).
Location
The equipment is open to the entire scientific community and is available at the Paleomagnetism Laboratory of CCiTUB and GEO3BCN-CSIC, located in the Geosciences Barcelona building on the Diagonal Campus of the University of Barcelona.