Patent ID: 8000767
Filing Date: 2011-08-16
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. A detection apparatus to detect weak magnetic fields comprising: a first magneto-optical element that exhibits a response, in the form of Faraday rotation, to an applied magnetic field, a hysteresis characteristic of the Faraday rotation exhibiting transition regions between a plurality of stable states; a light source to emit light that impinges on the first magneto-optical element; a modulation element comprising a coil adjacent to the first magneto-optical element, the modulation element being a source of a time-varying magnetic field of sufficient strength to switch the first magneto-optical element between the stable states; and a detector configured to detect a change in the light caused by a reaction of the first magneto-optical element to a weak magnetic field of an organ or bodily system, the change occurring when the first magneto-optical element is in one of the transition regions, wherein the detection apparatus has a sensitivity sufficient to detect the weak magnetic field.