Raman Research Institute develops device to scan brain signals anywhere
This innovation in future could offer a quieter, portable, and more affordable alternative to MRI-like scans, especially in smaller clinics, mobile units, or rural healthcare settings.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) works by detecting tiny magnetic signals from inside the human body, especially the brain. These signals are incredibly weak, which is why MRI machines need heavy shielding and 'ultra silent' rooms to function.
But the new device does not need any of that. It's a fully optical, shield-free magnetometer — a small, light-based tool that can sense magnetic fields in noisy, real-world settings like clinics, outdoor sites, or even spacecraft.
Magnetometers, in general, are used to measure magnetic fields and have applications in navigation, geology, medical imaging, physics, and space research. But the most accurate types — like Optically Pumped Atomic Magnetometers (OPAMs) and Spin Exchange Relaxation-Free (SERF) magnetometers- come with limitations.
While they are extremely sensitive to weak magnetic fields, they only work well in shielded, stable environments and have a narrow dynamic range, meaning they can't handle magnetic fields that are too strong.
What did the RRI do differently?
RRI researchers developed -- Raman-Driven Spin Noise Spectroscopy (RDSNS) technique which works by using laser beams to 'listen' to the natural quantum jitters — known as spin noise — in rubidium atoms. These atoms behave like tiny bar magnets.
When they're exposed to a magnetic field, their spin noise patterns change slightly. By analysing these changes with laser light, the RRI team is able to measure the strength of the surrounding magnetic field without touching or disturbing the atoms. This all-optical method is fully immune to common sources of interference like electricity, vibration, and radio signals.
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Set in one of… — ISRO (@isro) August 1, 2025 'Hope is not just a test of endurance; it's a critical proving ground for India's future human space missions. The insights we gather here will directly impact how we train astronauts, design mission protocols, and develop sustainable spaceflight systems,' said Isro Chairman V Narayanan during the mission's inauguration. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also read: What we know about Vyommitra, the female humanoid that ISRO is sending on the Gaganyaan mission What will happen during Hope? The 10-day mission is packed with carefully planned experiments and activities, all of which are being closely monitored by Isro scientists and mission control teams. 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We are also working on docking experiments and a crewed lunar mission. All these facilities like this one in Ladakh will be really helping". The HOPE analogue mission follows two earlier initiatives led by HSFC, the Ladakh Human Analog Mission (LHAM) in November 2024 and the ten-day isolation study 'Anugami' involving ISRO's Gaganyatri Astronaut Group Captain Angad Pratap in July 2025, done in Bengaluru. These missions are part of a systematic effort to generate Indian subject data to address the physiological, psychological, and operational challenges of human spaceflight. In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to open up the space sector to greater industry participation, the HOPE mission also marks a new era of public-private synergy. The analogue mission is being conducted in collaboration with an industry partner Protoplanet, showcasing the evolving landscape of India's space ecosystem. "This is going to be a very major facility," said Dr V Narayanan. "It will be helping us in a big way, especially in simulating most aspects of space missions except microgravity". Protoplanet's efforts at Tso Kar have been significantly bolstered by the invaluable support and expertise from The Mars Society and Mars Society Australia. Both organisations have extensive experience in building and operating highly successful analogue stations in diverse environments, including the deserts of the United States and the Arctic. Their collaboration has been crucial in establishing Tso Kar as a world-class facility for space analogue research. As India prepares for its ambitious human spaceflight roadmap, including the Gaganyaan mission, a space station by 2035, and a crewed lunar landing by 2040, the HOPE analogue mission stands as a critical stepping stone. It offers a unique opportunity to test technologies, study crew dynamics, and refine operational protocols in a controlled yet challenging environment. "This is a rehearsal for the future," says Dr V Narayanan. "It is essential for our human space programme leading up to sending a human to the Moon."
