Magnetically tuning microwave propagation parameters in ferrofluids.

The paper reports on the frequency (f) and static magnetic field (H) dependencies of the microwave propagation parameters, in the ranges 0.1-6 GHz and 0-90.7 kA/m, of a kerosene-based ferrofluid with magnetite particles, filtered in magnetic field gradient. In the investigated range, the sample exhibits ferromagnetic resonance phenomenon and Maxwell-Wagner dielectric relaxation. Unlike the usual way of studying the propagation of microwaves through different media, in this paper we have defined an overall reflection coefficient, Rw(f, H), of a material with thickness, w, deposited on a total reflective support, which takes into account both the attenuation of wave within the material and the reflection at the air-material interface. Based on the measured relative magnetic permeability, [Formula: see text], and relative dielectric permittivity, [Formula: see text], a comprehensive and meaningful set of microwave propagation parameters are determined. Apart from Rw(f, H), this set of parameters of ferrofluid includes the attenuation constant of the electromagnetic wave, [Formula: see text](f, H), the phase constant [Formula: see text](f, H), the real, n'(f, H), and imaginary, n"(f, H), components of the refractive index, the reflection coefficient at the interface air-material, R(f, H), and the quarter wavelength in material, [Formula: see text](f, H). Based on the theoretical considerations and characteristics of ferrofluid, simplified and practical formulas of the propagation parameters are given and also possible applications of the results are suggested (such as electromagnetic absorber, phase shifter, microwave lenses and vibration sensor). This connection between theory and experimental results offers an example for the preliminary design of microwave applications of ferrofluids and, by extension, for any material consisting of magnetic nanoparticles dispersed in a dielectric matrix.

The concept of ferrofluid preheating in the treatment of cancer by magnetic hyperthermia of tissues.

The frequency dependence of the complex magnetic susceptibility, χ(ω) = χ'(ω) - i χ″(ω), of a water-based magnetic fluid with magnetite particles, over the frequency range 500 kHz to 2 MHz and at three different temperatures of 30 °C, 40 °C and 50 °C are presented. Based on these experimental measurements, the dependence on frequency, f = (ω/2π) Hz, of the heating rate, ΔT/Δt, of the ferrofluid has been evaluated at these stated temperatures and alternating magnetic field of different amplitudes, Ho = 200 A/m, 400 A/m, 600 A/m, 800 A/m and 1 kA/m. The results show that the preheating of the ferrofluid sample at the desired operating temperature has the advantage of using lower levels of H0 during over a shorter time period, as opposed to the case of an unheated sample. This concept of preheating a sample, has major significance for the treatment of cancer by magnetic hyperthermia in that the patient is subjected to lower values of H0, over the time period of the treatment.

Absorbing materials with applications in radiotherapy and radioprotection.

The radiotherapy centres are using linear accelerators equipped with multi-leaf collimators (MLCs) for treatments of various types of cancer. For superficial cancers located at a maximum depth of 3 cm high-energy electrons are often used, but MLC cannot be used together with electron applicators. Due to the fact that the tumour shape is not square (as electron applicators), searching for different materials that can be used as absorbents or shields for the protection of adjacent organs is of paramount importance. This study presents an experimental study regarding the transmitted dose through some laboratory-made materials when subjected to electron beams of various energies (ranging from 6 to 15 MeV). The investigated samples were composite materials consisting of silicon rubber and micrometre aluminium particles with different thicknesses and various mass fraction of aluminium. The measurements were performed at a source surface distance of 100 cm in the acrylic phantom. The experimental results show that the transmitted dose through tested samples is ranging between ∼1.8 and 90%, depending on the electron beam energy, sample thickness and sample composition. These preliminary results suggest that the analysed materials can be used as absorbers or shields in different applications in radiotherapy and radioprotection.

Microwave propagation parameters in magnetic fluids.

Complex dielectric permittivity and complex magnetic permeability measurements of two magnetic fluids (as microwave propagation media), in the approximate range 0.2-5 GHz were performed. The two samples consisted of magnetite nanoparticles, dispersed in kerosene and in water, respectively. Based on the dielectric and magnetic measurements, the frequency (f ) dependence of the attenuation parameter, [Formula: see text], the phase constant, [Formula: see text], the propagation constant, [Formula: see text], the intrinsic impedance, Z(m), the refractive index, n, the reflection coefficient, R, the wavelength, [Formula: see text] and the skin depth, [Formula: see text], of the investigated samples were determined.

Microwave specific loss power of magnetic fluids subjected to a static magnetic field.

This paper reports on the frequency dependence of the magnetic and electric power dissipation in a magnetic fluid sample, in the microwave frequency range (0.5 to 8GHz), at various values of the static magnetic field (0 to 167.8kA/m). The computation of the power dissipation relies on the experimental values measured for the complex dielectric permittivity, varepsilon = varepsilon' - ivarepsilon'', and the complex magnetic permeability, mu = mu' - imu'', over the same frequency range. The results show that the magnetic power dissipation is much larger than the electric one for the investigated sample. At a specific frequency, f (Hz) , the power dissipation, p, depends on the external magnetic field, and exhibits a maximum. The result obtained suggests the possibility of controlling the energy absorption in the microwave range by means of the application of an external magnetic field.

Dielectric behavior of some ferrofluids in low-frequency fields.

The dielectric behavior of a ferrofluid with magnetite particles dispersed in kerosene was analyzed taking into account the Schwarz model, concerning the low-frequency dielectric behavior in systems consisting of colloidal particles suspended in electrolytes. For this reason, the complex dielectric permittivity and dielectric loss factor, in the frequency range of 10 Hz-500 kHz, at different temperatures between 20 degrees C and 100 degrees C were measured. Based on these experimental results, the experimental dependencies on both temperature of the relaxation time and activation energy of the relaxation process were analyzed. The obtained results show that the Schwarz model can be applied, in order to explain the low-frequency dielectric behavior of a ferrofluid with magnetite particles in kerosene, if the change of counterion concentration at the surface of colloidal particles is taken into account. Consequently, it is shown that the dielectric spectroscopy can be used in order to analyze the presence of particle agglomerations within ferrofluids.