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Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM)

MicroSense Vibrating Sample Magnetometers  (VSMs) are the easiest to use vibrating sample magnetometers with the widest range of options available. Whether you are measuring magnetic moment and coercivity of thin films or studying the magnetic properties of liquids, powders, or bulk samples, the MicroSense VSMs will give you the easiest and most accurate magnetic measurements.

Features of the EZ VSMs

  • Highest field Electromagnet based VSM, up to 3.7 Tesla
  • Easy to use
  • Fast, with sweep rates up to 1 T/s and 1000 points/second (not suitable for all materials and experiments)
  • Highest sensitivity (lowest noise) without signal averaging: 125 nemu (125 pAm^2) at a 3.5 mm sample space and 500 nemu (500 pAm^2) with the single stage temperature option in place. 
  • Lowest noise Vector option: < 1 µemu (1 nAm^2) without signal averaging
  • 10 mm ID of continuous range temperature chamber allows for larger samples and approximately 2 times more signal than competing 7.8 mm ID or smaller temperature chambers
  • Most versatile, with Vector, true Torque, MOKE, FMR, AC and DC Magneto-Resistance and Magneto Electric options. Automatic Sample Rotation is standard
  • Automatic sample loading is offered as an option for the entire VSM line
  • Temperature options from 4.2K to 1300K
  • 5 systems in one: VSM, FMR, TorqueMagneto Resistance and MOKE
  • Fast and Easy to use with oven/cryostat always installed on the measurement system and ready for use
  • Air Cooled Magnet Power Supply
  • Space saving, flexible design with all components mounted on wheels for easy lab reconfiguration

Unrivaled field control

The MicroSense VSMs are suitable for measuring samples with a very low coercivity as well as samples with high coercivities. The unrivaled real-time field control system makes measurements possible on samples that can not be measured in other commercial electromagnet based VSMs. The low field noise enables the measurement of very low coercivity samples or layers while simultaneously allowing application of a high saturating field in the same measurement. 

This video shows the precision and low noise of the field control, with ~40 mGs peak to peak noise even in the 20 kGs range.

Sensitivity

As a result of the low field noise, the signal noise is also very low, making measurements possible that were previously unthinkable. Combined with the larger sample space inside the MicroSense temperature chamber, the Signal to Noise Ratio can be 2 and in some cases up to 10 times better than what is offered in competing systems.

Easy To use

The MicroSense EZ (Pronounced Easy) VSMs were designed with ease of use as one of the primary goals. The ease with which you can switch between room temperature and low or high temperature measurements is one of the examples that illustrates this design goal.

Where in competing systems you have to physically remove the oven or cryostat when you want to do room temperature measurements, the oven/cryostat in the MicroSense VSMs is mounted permanently on the magnet base and can be easily moved in and out of the sample area by flipping a lever as shown in the video below. This allows switching between room temperature and temperature controlled measurements in a matter of seconds. All the cables and hoses remain attached at all times and the system is always ready to use and doesn't need to be recalibrated when switching back and forth. This saves time and improves accuracy.

This video shows the ease of switching between room temperature and low or high temperature measurements in a MicroSense VSM.

Versatile

The MicroSense VSMs offer a unique Torque magnetometer option for accurate and sensitive anisotropy measurements. Other options offered for the VSM are Magneto Resistance measurements, Magneto Electric Measurements and soon MOKE (Magneto Optic Kerr Effect) measurements.

Unlike other systems that do not allow changes in the sample space or allow only a small number of gaps, MicroSense EZ VSMs allow choosing the gap that is ideal for your needs while simultaneously offering an index method with 9 precisely indexed gaps for optimal reproducibility.

Safe and Reliable

All MicroSense VSMs use an ultra-low noise air-cooled magnet power supply which is more energy efficient, safer and more reliable than most water cooled power supply designs. The very efficient electronics minimize thermal stress on the components and air cooling prevents the risk of condensation on high power electronics. The modern power supply design is more compact than other power supplies, allowing all the electronics to fit inside a single cabinet, saving valuable lab floor space.

Low field measurements and moderate duty cycle measurements may be done without the need for cooling water, reducing operating cost and accoustic noise in the lab.

Automatic Sample Loading Option

MicroSense is the only VSM manufacturer that offers automatic sample loading, allowing unattended 24/7 operation. Cassettes of samples can be changed while other samples are being measured so that the system never stops measuring. Measurements can be added to the queue while other measurements are running. Reference and calibration samples can be incorporated in the measurement queue for automatic scheduled system verification and calibration. All parameters are automatically logged to a data base file.

Horizontal and vertical sample mounting options are offered.

This video shows the perpendicular X9 automated Vibrating Sample Magnetometer. The Automatic Sample loading is available as an option for all MicroSense VSMs.

Fast

The very fast field control also allows very fast measurements. Depending on the sample signal and coercivity, measurements can be done at 1000 Oe/s or even faster. This is especially useful for measurements that are normally very time consuming, like First Order Reversal Curves. The video below shows a FORC measurement performed in only 5:34.

This video shows the ease of setting up a FORC measurement and the speed at which it can run on a MicroSense VSM. This video is best watched in Full Screen mode.

Specifications:

Maximum Fields:

Maximum field
at 3.5 mm sample gap
Maximum Field
with temperature option  in place
EZ72.6 T 2.02 T
EZ82.8 T2.25 T
EZ93.0 T2.4 T
EZ9 HF3.2 T2.54 T
EZ163.5 to 3.65 T depending on configuration2.9 T
Model 10 VSM3.0 T with optional scalar coils and 2" poles2.3 T (2.0 T for best vector performance)

Field Accuracy: 1% of reading or ±0.05% of full scale

Field control stability:  < 0.05% RMS of full scale

Moment Measurement:

Noise (RMS)CGS UnitsSI Units
Room Temperature 3.5 mm sample space 0.1 s/pt125 nemu125 pAm2
Room Temperature 3.5 mm sample space 10 s/pt20 nemu20 pAm2
Room Temperature 10 mm sample space 0.1 s/pt250 nemu250 pAm2
Room Temperature 10 mm sample space 10 s/pt65 nemu65 pAm2
Single Stage (77K-1000K) 0.1 s/pt500 nemu500 pAm2
Single Stage (77K-1000K) 10 s/pt120 nemu120 pAm2
Cryostat (4.2K-450K) 0.1 s/pt2500 nemu2500 pAm2
Cryostat (4.2K-450K) 10 s/pt500 nemu500 pAm2
Oven (300K-1300K) 0.1 s/pt2500 nemu2500 pAm2
Oven (300K-1300K) 10 s/pt500 nemu500 pAm2
Vector (77K-1000K) 0.1 s/pt1000 nemu1000 pAm2
Vector (77K-1000K) 0.1 s/pt300 nemu300 pAm2


Moment accuracy, stability, repeatability etc.
Moment Accuracy± 1% + Noise if sample and calibration standard are geometrically identical
Moment StabilityStdev < 0.05% over 24 hours at constant field, temperature and angle
Moment RepeatabilityStdev < 0.5%
Dynamic Range100 nemu to 1000 emu if high moment option is included
Sample Mass0 - 10 g (depending on density and magnetization)


Temperature Options:

Single StageCryostatOven
Range77 K Fixed
100 K-1000 K Control
4.2 K Fixed
8 K - 420 K Control
 300 K - 1300 K
Inside Diameter10 mm9 mm8.5 mm
Ramp RateUp to 100 K/minUp to 30 K/min 100 K/min up
60 K/min down to 400K
Gas/Liquid Requirements77K - 573K N2 Gas + Liquid Nitrogen 
293K - 573 K N2 Gas
293K - 1000 K Argon
Helium Gas + Liquid HeliumArgon
NoteOpen flow design, gas cannot be recycled.


Available Options:

  • Automatic Rotation: +/- 540° or -100° to 900° always included
  • Vector Signal Detection
  • Torque
  • Magneto Resistance: AC and DC
  • Magneto Electric Option
  • Magneto Optic Kerr Effect (MOKE): In Plane and perpendicular (Polar)
  • FMR: 2-8 GHz, 2-18 GHz and 2-40 GHz options are available
  • Automatic Sample Loading (vertical or horizontal). 6 Cassettes, 96 samples total

For detailed specifications: See brochure.

Specifications apply to new systems built after October 1 2018.