Optically Pumped Magnetometers in the MEG-Research at the Higher School of Economics

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a powerful method for imaging brain activity, with superior spatial resolution compared to electroencephalography (EEG). Superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID)-based systems are mostly used for MEG-acquisition, but they come with limitations like sensor-to-scalp distance and high ownership costs. Optically pumped magnetometers (OPM) sensors are emerging as alternatives, overcoming these issues. We conducted comprehensive research using commercially available OPM sensors QuSpin Gen-2 to explore sensorimotor rhythm within motor-imagery brain-computer interface (BCI) applications. Our study reveals the expected influence of sensor location on signal quality and highlights the feasibility of single-sensor motor-imagery BCIs. We demonstrate OPM sensors' advantages over SQUID-based MEG and describe a preliminary version of the adaptive remnant filed compensation system to mitigate low frequency environmental magnetic noise.