Active magnetic shielding for biomagnetic measurement using spatial gradient fields

Biomagnetic measurement performed outside a magnetically shielded room is subject to distortion by strong magnetic fields. Reducing such disturbances can enhance and stabilize biomagnetic measurement conditions in the absence of passive shielding. We have developed an active magnetic shielding system that produces both homogeneous and spatial gradient magnetic fields. The system is composed of anisotropic magnetoresistive sensors, a digital signal processor controller and two different coil systems. In order to improve the measurement environment for a first-order gradient coil SQUID system, the disturbing vertical magnetic fields and vertical field gradients are reduced, thus achieving a shielding factor of approximately 6 at 100 Hz. Our system provides a more flexible and less costly alternative to magnetically shielded rooms.