ESR Magnetometer Phase Matching During Frequency Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetometers using voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) for pulsed excitation signals suffer from phase loss during frequency switching, leading to reduced measurement accuracy and coherence issues in magnetic field measurements.
Innovation Solution
A method involving cyclic switching of excitation signals between resonant and idle frequencies, with phase matching to continuous reference signals, using voltage-controlled oscillators to maintain phase coherence between pulses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If voltage-controlled oscillators are used for pulsed excitation signals, then measurement speed and productivity are improved, but phase loss during frequency switching occurs leading to reduced measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the oscillator's phase is continuously monitored and adjusted using reference signals. The system compares the actual phase of the excitation signal with a reference phase and applies corrective feedback to maintain phase coherence during frequency switching, thereby resolving the contradiction between fast pulsing and phase stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces reference signals as intermediary elements that mediate between the voltage-controlled oscillator and the measurement system. These reference signals serve as a stable phase reference that allows the system to track and maintain phase coherence during rapid frequency transitions, enabling both high speed and high precision
2Productivity
If frequency switching is performed between excitation periods, then pulse spacing and productivity are improved, but phase information is lost leading to coherence issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing reference signals before frequency switching occurs. These reference signals are generated and stored in advance, providing a ready-made phase reference that eliminates the need for complex real-time phase recovery during frequency transitions, thus preventing phase information loss
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback to continuously monitor and reconstruct phase information during and after frequency switching. By comparing the switched frequency signal against the reference signal and applying phase correction feedback, the system recovers any lost phase information and maintains coherence across pulse sequences
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances measurement accuracy and speed by preventing phase loss, enabling precise and fast magnetic field measurements.
Implementation Method 1
an inductive assembly is excited by an excitation signal in order to provide a second magnetic field at the sample location
Implementation Method 2
phase matching to continuous reference signals, using voltage-controlled oscillators to maintain phase coherence between pulses
Implementation Method 3
The incoupling of these additional alternating fields induces transitions between the energy levels of discrete spin states of the atomic nuclei (NMR) and/or electrons (ESR, DNP, ENDOR) of a sample, which in turn lead to absorption processes in the alternating field which are able to be detected
Data Source
AI summary
A method for generating and/or detecting a magnetization of a sample at a sample location by means of electron spin resonance spectroscopy or for the measurement of a first magnetic field (B0) acting on the sample at the sample location. An inductive assembly is excited by an excitation signal (S) to provide a second magnetic field (B1) at the sample location, wherein the excitation signal (S) is switched cyclically between an excitation period (TX), in which an operating frequency (fESR) of the excitation signal(S) has a sample-specific resonant frequency (fres), and an idle period (RX), in which the operating frequency (fESR) of the excitation signal (S) has an idle frequency (fidle) different than the resonant frequency (fres). An operating phase of the excitation signal (S) is matched to an excitation reference phase of an excitation reference signal (Sref), which is separate from the excitation signal (S).