Parallel Dipole Line Trap for Non-Contact Material Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for accurate and efficient non-contact conductivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements for materials that are inaccessible due to their small size or surface insulation, particularly in semiconductor and material physics research.

Innovation Solution

A non-contact conductivity and magnetic susceptibility meter using a magnetic parallel dipole line (PDL) trap system, which includes a pair of dipole line magnets and a diamagnetic object levitating above them, allowing for the measurement of conductivity and magnetic susceptibility by analyzing the oscillations of the diamagnetic object, with the conductivity determined from the damping time constant and magnetic susceptibility from the oscillation frequency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If electrical contacts are used for conductivity measurement, then measurement can be performed, but the method becomes inapplicable to small-sized or surface-insulated materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement applicabilityVSAvoidmeasurement accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical contact-based conductivity measurement system with a magnetic field-based non-contact measurement system. By using a magnetic dipole trap to levitate the diamagnetic object and measuring oscillation characteristics, the system eliminates the need for physical electrical contacts, thereby enabling measurement of small-sized or surface-insulated materials that were previously inaccessible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If non-contact measurement methods are used, then accessibility to small or insulated materials is improved, but measurement precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accessibilityVSAvoidconductivity and magnetic susceptibility accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes mechanical vibration by inducing oscillations in the levitated diamagnetic object within the magnetic dipole trap. The oscillation frequency and damping characteristics provide precise measurement signals for determining conductivity and magnetic susceptibility. This vibration-based measurement mechanism enables accurate non-contact measurement by converting material properties into measurable dynamic responses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

3Adaptability or versatility

If a magnetic PDL trap system is used for non-contact measurement, then conductivity and magnetic susceptibility can be measured simultaneously, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedual measurement capabilityVSAvoidmagnetic trap system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a multi-functional magnetic dipole trap system that simultaneously performs both conductivity measurement (through oscillation damping analysis) and magnetic susceptibility measurement (through oscillation frequency analysis). This universal system consolidates multiple measurement capabilities into a single integrated platform, reducing the need for separate measurement devices while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables non-contact conductivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements without physical contact, providing accurate results by leveraging the damping time constant and oscillation frequency of the diamagnetic object within the PDL trap system.

Implementation Method 1

a diamagnetic object levitating above the dipole line magnets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiamagnetism: Diamagnetism

Implementation Method 2

a measurement system includes: a PDL trap having a pair of dipole line magnets; and a diamagnetic object levitating above the dipole line magnets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic trapping: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS10557897B2Non-contact conductivity and magnetic susceptibility measurement with parallel dipole line trap system

Publication Date: 2020.02.11 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A non-contact conductivity and magnetic susceptibility meter using a magnetic parallel dipole line (PDL) trap system is provided. In one aspect, a measurement system includes: a PDL trap having a pair of dipole line magnets; and a diamagnetic object levitating above the dipole line magnets, wherein the diamagnetic object is configured to contain a material under test for conductivity and magnetic susceptibility measurement using the measurement system. A method for analyzing a material under test using the present PDL trap-based non-contact measurement system is also provided.