On-chip integration of high-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and Hall-effect magnetometry.

A sensor that integrates high-sensitivity micro-Hall effect magnetometry and high-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy capabilities on a single semiconductor chip is presented. The Hall-effect magnetometer (HEM) was fabricated from a two-dimensional electron gas GaAsAlGaAs heterostructure in the form of a cross, with a 50 x 50 microm2 sensing area. A high-frequency microstrip resonator is coupled with two small gaps to a transmission line with a 50 Omega impedance. Different resonator lengths are used to obtain quasi-TEM fundamental resonant modes in the frequency range 10-30 GHz. The resonator is positioned on top of the active area of the HEM, where the magnetic field of the fundamental mode is largest, thus optimizing the conversion of microwave power into magnetic field at the sample position. The two gaps coupling the resonator and transmission lines are engineered differently--the gap to the microwave source is designed to optimize the loaded quality factor of the resonator (Q

High-frequency microstrip cross resonators for circular polarization electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy.

In this article we discuss the design and implementation of a novel microstrip resonator which allows absolute control of the microwaves polarization degree for frequencies up to 30 GHz. The sensor is composed of two half-wavelength microstrip line resonators, designed to match the 50 Omega impedance of the lines on a high dielectric constant GaAs substrate. The line resonators cross each other perpendicularly through their centers, forming a cross. Microstrip feed lines are coupled through small gaps to three arms of the cross to connect the resonator to the excitation ports. The control of the relative magnitude and phase between the two microwave stimuli at the input ports of each line allows for tuning the degree and type of polarization of the microwave excitation at the center of the cross resonator. The third (output) port is used to measure the transmitted signal, which is crucial to work at low temperatures, where reflections along lengthy coaxial lines mask the signal reflected by the resonator. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra recorded at low temperature in an S=5/2 molecular magnet system show that 82% fidelity circular polarization of the microwaves is achieved over the central area of the resonator.

Heat capacity and electron spin echo evidence for low frequency vibrational modes and lattice disorder in L-alanine at cryogenic temperatures.

With the view of understanding the low frequency (40-50 cm(-1)) motional processes in L-alanine around 4 K, we have carried out heat capacity (CP) and electron spin echo (ESE) measurements on L-alanine and L-alanine-d7. The obtained CP data show the so-called boson peak (seen as a maximum in CP/T3 versus T plots) in the low temperature region (1.8-20 K). The phase memory time, T(M), and spin lattice relaxation time, T1, of the spin probe, the so-called first stable alanine radical (SAR1), *CHCH3COOH, have been measured between 4 and 105 K. The obtained relaxation rate 1/T1 shows an anomalous increase which coincides with the emergence of a boson peak in the low temperature region (4-20 K). Together, the ESE and the CP data confirm the existence of a thermally activated dynamic orientational disorder in the lattices of both compounds below 20 K. The results help explain the discrepancy between the CP data from powders and single crystals of alanine, as well as the proanomalous relaxation mechanisms for SAR1 in these lattices, and they also provide a mechanism for the spin-lattice relaxation process for SAR1 at cryogenic temperatures.

The ureteric jet index: a novel measure of divided renal function.

The aim of this study was to evaluate an index of divided renal function based on the quantification of the ureteric jets seen on colour Doppler ultrasound of the bladder. Thirty-one patients attending for scintigraphic renography underwent colour Doppler ultrasound with video recording for 5 min. Divided renal function was calculated as the proportion of jets from the right-sided orifice ('jet index'). This was compared with the corresponding 'scintigraphic index' found using Patlak-Rutland graphical analysis. Absolute discrepancies were calculated. Twenty-eight of thirty-one (90%) of studies were diagnostic for the calculation of jet indices. The mean jet index was 52% (n=28, SEM=5.8%) compared to a mean scintigraphic index of 54% (n = 28, SEM = 4.0%). The two scores were correlated, with a correlation coefficient of 0.72 and the median absolute difference between the two scores was 7.7%. Forty-three per cent (12/28) of subjects had discrepancies in the two scores of 5% or less. The score differences, however, showed a highly skewed distribution with 32% (9/28) subjects showing discrepancies over 20%. This discordant group (> 20% difference) included three patients with functional pelviureteric obstruction, one with a pelvic mass and one with an underfilled bladder. Two patients with very poor quality jets had impaired renal function. In one case, the index improved after angioplasty for renal artery stenosis. This simple test is a useful adjunct to urinary tract ultrasound but should be interpreted alongside evidence of renal obstruction, and complements rather than replaces existing tests.