Details of Award

NERC Reference : NE/B50572X/1

An innovative small sample SQUID magnetometer and microwave system for analysing geological and archaeological samples.

Principal Investigator:: Professor J Shaw, University of Liverpool, Earth Surface Dynamics
Grant held at:: University of Liverpool, Earth Surface Dynamics

ENRIs:: Global Change; Environmental Risks and Hazards
Science Topics:: Earth Surface Processes; Planetary science; Science-Based Archaeology; Tectonic Processes; Mantle & Core Processes

Abstract:: Most studies of the magnetisation contained in geological and archaeological samples use heat to gradually erase the magnetisation and check that it is a true record of the earths ancient magnetic field. A major problem is that the heat alters the magnetic minerals in the sample, often generating new magnetic minerals that can hold a strong magnetisation. This has two major effects. In the first place it can be very difficult to demagnetise a sample completely as the new minerals develop a magnetisation that swamps the remaining original magnetisation. Secondly it becomes impossible to determine how strong the ancient field strength was because remagnetising the sample in a known field to allow comparison with the natural magnetisation does not reproduce the original magnetisation as new magnetic minerals are present. A new technique using microwaves allows the sample to be 'thermally demagnetised' without heating the bulk sample and generating these unwanted mineral changes. As yet this technique cannot be applied to magnetically weak samples, oriented samples or samples with minerals that have very high coercivities. This application is for a new microwave demagnetiser/SQUID magnetometer system that will allow these types of study.

Authorised funds only

This grant award has a total value of £228,676

Total - T&S	Total - Other Costs	Total - Equipment
£2,006	£1,023	£225,648

If you need further help, please read the user guide.