Department of Physics and Engineering
West Virginia Wesleyan College
Magnetism Projects
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Magnetism research projects have included superconducting quantum interference (SQUID), a Hall effect project, a Mossbauer project, and a nuclear magnetic resonance project. Practical applications of magnetic resonance include magnetic resonance imaging in hospitals, non-destructive testing of structures, measuring purity of chemicals, and detecting buried magnetic materials.

Angel Gray (2001) studied methods of measuring tiny magnetic fields using our superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID).

David Hartley (2001) studied the Hall effect of a variety of semiconductors using our 5-tesla electromagnet. His results enabled him to determine the probability that a valence electron has entered the conduction band, which is related to the amount of impurities in the semiconductor.

Nicole West (2001) studied the magnetic properties of iron using our Mossbauer apparatus.

Peter Sandwell (2005) studied nuclear magnetic resonance of using our Telatomic apparatus. Peter studied organic sample such as polystyrene and glycerine. A medical process called magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses the same technology.

Two happy students! The oscilloscope has a good SQUID characteristic curve.
SQUID Photos

A close-up of the SQUID chip.

Dr. Popson inserts the SQUID chip into the container of liquid nitrogen.