Abstract: A method for establishing an advocacy campaign with a service provider through crowdfunding includes: receiving a campaign request including advocacy goals; receiving a plurality of service provider bids, each including a minimum funding amount and project description; receiving a plurality of funding pledges, each from one of a plurality of users and including a pledged monetary amount, wherein a total of the pledged monetary amount included in the funding pledges meets or exceeds a predetermined amount before a predetermined period of time; distributing the minimum funding amount and project description for each service provider bid to each of the users; receiving a plurality of votes, each indicating one of the service provider bids; and assigning the campaign request to a winning bid of the service provider bids based on a number of the plurality of votes indicating the winning bid.

Abstract: A magneto-encephalography device including a plurality of laser threshold magnetometers for measuring a magnetic field is provided. Each laser threshold magnetometer includes an optical cavity, a laser medium which together with the optical cavity has a laser threshold; a laser pump; and a radio-frequency (RF) drive applied to the laser medium at or around a particular resonance frequency which varies depending on the magnetic field, such that depending on the value of the physical parameter, the RF drive induces transitions between at least two states of the laser medium, each state causing a different laser threshold in an intensity of a laser output, wherein the intensity of the laser output provides a measurement of the magnitude of the magnetic field; wherein the laser threshold magnetometers are configured to be placed on a head of a subject to be monitored.

Abstract: In general, techniques of this disclosure are directed to a sensor for measuring an external magnetic field. The sensor an optical cavity, a laser medium which together with the optical cavity has a laser threshold, a laser pump, and a radio-frequency (RF) drive applied to the laser medium, such that the laser threshold varies with a change in the external magnetic field. The RF drive may be applied to the laser medium at or around a particular resonance frequency which varies depending on the external magnetic field, such that depending on the value of the external magnetic field, the RF drive induces transitions between at least two states of the laser medium, each state causing a different laser threshold in an intensity of a laser output. Further, the intensity of the laser output may provide a measurement of the value of the external magnetic field.

Abstract: A magneto-encephalography device including a plurality of laser threshold magnetometers for measuring a magnetic field is provided. Each laser threshold magnetometer includes an optical cavity, a laser medium which together with the optical cavity has a laser threshold; a laser pump; and a radio-frequency (RF) drive applied to the laser medium at or around a particular resonance frequency which varies depending on the magnetic field, such that depending on the value of the physical parameter, the RF drive induces transitions between at least two states of the laser medium, each state causing a different laser threshold in an intensity of a laser output, wherein the intensity of the laser output provides a measurement of the magnitude of the magnetic field; wherein the laser threshold magnetometers are configured to be placed on a head of a subject to be monitored.

Abstract: In general, techniques of this disclosure are directed to a sensor for measuring an external magnetic field. The sensor an optical cavity, a laser medium which together with the optical cavity has a laser threshold, a laser pump, and a radio-frequency (RF) drive applied to the laser medium, such that the laser threshold varies with a change in the external magnetic field. The RF drive may be applied to the laser medium at or around a particular resonance frequency which varies depending on the external magnetic field, such that depending on the value of the external magnetic field, the RF drive induces transitions between at least two states of the laser medium, each state causing a different laser threshold in an intensity of a laser output. Further, the intensity of the laser output may provide a measurement of the value of the external magnetic field.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of monitoring a property of a sample, such as a nanoscopic property of the sample. The method comprises the steps of providing a quantum probe having a quantum state and exposing the quantum probe to the sample in a manner such that the property of the sample, in the proximity of the quantum probe, affects quantum coherence of the quantum probe. The method also comprises detecting a rate of quantum decoherence of the quantum probe to monitor the property of the sample. Further the present disclosure provides an apparatus for monitoring a property of a sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of monitoring a property of a sample, such as a nanoscopic property of the sample. The method comprises the steps of providing a quantum probe having a quantum state and exposing the quantum probe to the sample in a manner such that the property of the sample, in the proximity of the quantum probe, affects quantum coherence of the quantum probe. The method also comprises detecting a rate of quantum decoherence of the quantum probe to monitor the property of the sample. Further the present disclosure provides an apparatus for monitoring a property of a sample.