The region surrounding a
magnet and exhi
biting a
magnetic field strength, which is significantly higher than the earth's
magnetic field (typically 0.05-0.1 mT, depending on geographical location).
Initially the most magnets had very extensive fringe fields. Magnets with iron have reduced the
fringe field substantially (passively shielded magnets). At least, adding appropriate additional
superconducting coils to
superconducting magnets has resulted in a drastic reduction of the extent of the fringe fields (actively shielded magnets).
Due to the physical properties of magnetic fields, the magnetic
flux, which penetrates the useful volume of the
magnet will return through the surroundings of the
magnet to form closed field lines. Depending on the
magnet construction, the returning
flux will penetrate large open spaces (unshielded magnets) or will be confined largely to iron yokes or through secondary coils (shielded magnets).
Fringe fields constitute one of the major hazards of MR scanners as these fields acting over extended distances outside the
magnet produce strong attractive forces upon magnetic objects. These can thus 'fly' into the
magnet when loose nearby acting like projectiles. Fringe fields also exert unwanted forces on metallic
implants in patients.