# US 4,455,486 A · Method and apparatus for detecting magnetism by means of electron spin polarization measurements through dielectronic transition

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 4,455,486 A
- Document ID: US4455486A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/292,203
- Filed: 1981-08-12
- Granted: 1984-06-19
- Earliest claimed: 1981-08-12
- Inventors: Carl Rau
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4455486A

## CPC

- G01N 23/201: by measuring small-angle scattering
- H01J 37/266: {Measurement of magnetic or electric fields in the object; Lorentzmicroscopy (spot analysing H01J37/252; emission microscopes H01J37/285; reflecting microscopes H01J37/29)}
- H01J 2237/24557: Spin polarisation (particles)
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- H01J: ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS (spark-gaps H01T; electric arc lamps H05B31/00; particle accelerators H05H)

## Abstract

A beam of particles which undergoes a known charge state change in response to an exchange of two electrons having preoriented moments is generated. The beam is focused on a body, the magnetic properties of which are to be determined, in such a manner that the beam is reflected from the surface of the body. The number of particle charge state changes which occurred are measured in the reflected beam and provide an indication of the square of the magnetic value of the body and shows the magnetic state of the surface of the body.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for determining the magnetic characteristics of a body, comprising:
generating a beam of particles, which particles undergo a known charge state change in response to an exchange of 2 electrons having predetermined magnetic moments;
focusing said beam on said body such that said beam is reflected from the surface of said body; and
measuring the number of particle charge state changes which occurred as a result of an exchange of 2 electrons in said reflected beam, as an indication of the magnetic value of the body.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of generating a beam comprises forming said beam from He and heavier particles.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method as set forth in claim 2, wherein the step of measuring comprises detection of singulet and triplet states of said particles.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of measuring comprises electrostatically separating different charged components of said beam and simultaneously detecting the separated beam components.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of measuring comprises taking current measurements in said beam.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method as set forth in claim 1 and further including the step of calibrating the measured number of ionization state changes through measurements of the temperature dependence of the magnetic value.

### Claim 7

Apparatus for determining the magnetic characteristics of a body, comprising:
means for generating a beam of particles, which particles undergo a known ionization state change in response to an exchange of two electrons having predetermined angular moments;
means for focusing said beam on said body such that said beam is reflected from the subface of said body; and
means for measuring the number of particle ionization state changes which occurred as a result of an exchange of 2 electrons in said reflected beam, as an indication of the magnetic value of the body.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said particles comprise H, D, He or heavier particles.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said means for measuring includes means for detecting singulet or triplet states of said particles.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said means for measuring comprises electrostatically separating differing charged components of said beam.