Generator of electric and magnetic fields, a corresponding field detector, and a sample analyzer and treatment apparatus incorporating the field generator and/or field detector

摘要

A field generator/detector including at least one super-toroidal conductor and a device to energize the super-toroidal conductor to generate varying electric and magnetic fields. Where conductor has a length l, the super-toroidal conductor is energized with at least one frequency component equal to or greater than 2c/l, where c is the speed of light in free space. Then the near field generated at this frequency close to the super-toroidal conductor has a strongly inhomogeneous spatial distribution similar or more complex than that generated by four or more electric charges and/or current loops. At any particular moment in time, the amplitudes of the electric and magnetic fields components of such a complex field change significantly over a distance comparable with the smallest winding feature of the super-toroidal conductor. The field generator/detector may be used in a sample analyzer having a chamber and a sample holder within the chamber. The chamber contains at least a first super-toroidal conductor having at least the length l. This super-toroidal conductor is energized to generate oscillating electric and magnetic field in the region of a sample in the chamber. The response of the generated field to the presence of a sample on the sample holder is determined, so that an analysis can be made. The field generator/detector may used also as a treatment apparatus for treating a desired component of a specimen. The treatment super-toroidal conductor is energized at a frequency or set of frequencies or continuous band of frequencies greater than 2c/l to produce strongly inhomogeneous electric and magnetic fields.