Measures to reduce the residual field and field gradient inside a magnetically shielded room by a factor of more than 10

Abstract

Abstract Very low residual magnetic field and field gradients are essential for a number of high resolution fundamental physical experiments and for further improvement of very sensitive magnetic measurement devices. The scope ranges from spin precession experiments, e.g. with 3He or neutrons, to biomagnetic measurements, like magnetoencephalograms, and to low field MR spectroscopy. One method of reducing environmental magnetic noise is to use a magnetically shielded room (MSR). Here, measures are demonstrated to improve residual field and field gradient inside a common MSR by a factor of more than 10 by a specific degaussing procedure, material selection of prefabricated parts and active shielding. The process is independent of the shielding factor and works also properly for heavily shielded rooms.