A multifrequency eletromagnetic applicator with an integrated AC magnetometer for magnetic hyperthermia experiments

In the present paper, a lab-made electromagnetic applicator for magnetic hyperthermia experiments is described, fabricated and tested. The proposed device is able to measure the specific absorption rate (SAR) of nanoparticle samples at different magnetic field intensities and frequencies. Based on a variable parallel LCC resonant circuit fed by a linear power amplifier, the electromagnetic applicator is optimized to generate a controllable and homogeneous AC magnetic field in a 3.5 cm(3) cylindrical volume, in a wide frequency range of 149-1030 kHz with high field intensities (up to 35 kA m(-1) at low frequencies and up to 22 kA m(-1) at high frequencies). In addition, a lab-made AC magnetometer is integrated in the electromagnetic applicator. The AC magnetometer is fully compensated to provide accurate measurements of the dynamic hysteresis cycle for nanoparticle powders or dispersions. From these dynamic hysteresis loops the SAR of the nanoparticle samples can be directly obtained. To show the capabilities of the proposed set-up, the AC hysteresis loops of two different magnetite nanoparticle samples with different sizes have been measured for various field intensities and frequencies. To our knowledge, no other work reports an electromagnetic applicator system with integrated AC magnetometer providing such characteristics in terms of frequency and intensity.