Biomagnetism involves the measurement and analysis of very weak local magnetic fields of
living organisms and various organs in humans. Such fields can be of physiological
origin or due to magnetic impurities or markers. This paper reviews existing
and prospective applications of biomagnetism in clinical research and medical
diagnostics. Currently, such applications require sensitive magnetic SQUID sensors
and amplifiers. The practicality of biomagnetic methods depends especially on
techniques for suppressing the dominant environmental electromagnetic noise, and on
suitable nearly real-time data processing and interpretation methods. Of the many
biomagnetic methods and applications, only the functional studies of the human
brain (magnetoencephalography) and liver susceptometry are in clinical use, while
functional diagnostics of the human heart (magnetocardiography) approaches the
threshold of clinical acceptance. Particularly promising for the future is the ongoing
research into low-field magnetic resonance anatomical imaging using SQUIDs.
Superconductor electronics combines passive and active superconducting components and sometimes normal resistors into functional circuits and systems that also include room-temperature electronics for amplification, power sources, necessary controls, etc., usually computer operated. Furthermore, complete systems include magnetic and electromagnetic shielding, cryogenic enclosures, and increasingly a cryocooler in self-contained units. Components or devices of low or high critical temperature superconductors include inductances (coils), passive transmission lines, resonators, antennae, filters, as well as active elements: Josephson junctions, Josephson oscillators, and superconducting quantum interference devices. Of multiple demonstrated applications, mostly but not only in science and metrology, currently most successful are voltage standards, astronomy detectors and large telescope cameras, instruments for material characterization, and magnetometers for geomagnetic prospecting. Major current efforts concentrate on energy-efficient high-end computing and quantum computing. The outcomes of these efforts are likely to be known in the course of the following decade.
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