Modeling and Simulation of Magnetic Nanoparticle Sensor

Sensitivity and detection limit of a magnetic nanoparticle sensor is modeled and simulated. A micro coil generates an alternating magnetic field which excites magnetic nanoparticles in its vicinity. A concentric sensing coil applies Faraday's law of induction measuring the excited magnetization of the magnetic particles at high frequency. A differential measurement compensates disturbances and the influence of the driving microcoil leaving only the signal caused by the magnetic particles. The sensing system can be used for detection of magnetic nanoparticle labels in immunological point of care diagnostics. The paper shows simulation results for a microcoil system capable of detecting a single superparamagnetic nanoparticle.