Non-linear magnetic behavior around zero field of an assembly of superparamagnetic nanoparticles

The MIAplex® device is a miniaturized detector, devoted to the high sensitive detection of superparamagnetic nanoprobes for multiparametric immunoassays. It measures a signal corresponding to the second derivative of the magnetization around zero field. Like any new technology, the real success of the MIAplex® detector can only be exploited through a deep understanding of the magnetic signature. In this letter, we study the magnetic behavior around zero-field of diluted lab-made and commercial ferrofluids by comparing together conventional SQUID magnetization and MIAplex® signature.