Search Results (9)

This article considers a fluxgate magnetometer (FM) that operates based on a new physical principle. The authors analyze how the alternating electric charge potential of a cylindrical metal electrode impacts the structure of a cylindrical permanent magnet made of composite-conducting ferrite. They demonstrate that this impact and permanent magnet structure initiate the emergence of polarons with oscillating magnetism. This causes significant changes in the entropy of indirect exchange and the related sublattice magnetism fluctuations that ultimately result in the generation of circularly polarized spin waves at the spin wave resonance frequency that are channeled and evolve in dielectric ferrite waveguides of the FM. It is demonstrated that these moving spin waves have an electrodynamic impact on the measuring FM coils on the macro-level and perform parametric modulation of the magnetic permeability of the waveguide material. This results in the respective variations of the changeable magnetic field, which is also registered by the measuring FM coils. The authors considered a generalized flow of the physical processes in the FM to obtain a detailed representation of the operating functions of the FM. The presented experimental results for the proposed FM in the field meter mode confirm its operating parameters (±40 μT—measurement range, 0.5 nT—detection threshold). The usage of a cylindrical metal electrode as a source of exciting electrical change instead of a conventional multiturn excitation coil can significantly reduce temperature drift, simplify production technology, and reduce the unit weight and size. Full article

We propose a low-frequency magnetic sensing method using a magnetically modulated microcavity resonant mode. Our magnetically sensitive unit with periodically changing magnetic poles is formed by combining an AC excitation coil with a microcavity. The microcavity vibrates at the frequency of the AC amplitude-modulated signal and changes its resonant mode when the sensing unit interacts with a low-frequency magnetic field. Signal processing is performed on the resonant spectrum to obtain low-frequency magnetic signals. The results of the experiment show that the measured sensitivity to a 0.5 Hz magnetic field is 12.49 V/mT, and a bias instability noise of 16.71 nT is achieved. We have extended the measurable frequency range of the whispering gallery mode microcavity magnetometer and presented a development in microcavity magnetic sensing and optical readout. Full article

The miniaturization of quantum sensors is a popular trend for the development of quantum technology. One of the key components of these sensors is a coil which is used for spin modulation and manipulation. The bi-planar coils have the advantage of producing three-dimensional magnetic fields with only two planes of current confinement, whereas the traditional Helmholtz coils require three-dimensional current distribution. Thus, the bi-planar coils are compatible with the current micro-fabrication process and are quite suitable for the compact design of the chip-scale atomic devices that require stable or modulated magnetic fields. This paper presents a design of a miniature bi-planar coil. Both the magnetic fields produced by the coils and their inhomogeneities were designed theoretically. The magnetic field gradient is a crucial parameter for the coils, especially for generating magnetic fields in very small areas. We used a NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) method based on the relaxation of ${}^{131}Xe$ nuclear spins to measure the magnetic field gradient in situ. This is the first time that the field inhomogeneities of the field of such small bi-planar coils have been measured. Our results indicate that the designed gradient caused error is 0.08 for the $B_y$ and the $B_x$ coils, and the measured gradient caused error using the nuclear spin relaxation method is $0.09\pm 0.02$, suggesting that our method is suitable for measuring gradients. Due to the poor sensitivity of our magnetometer under a large $B_z$ bias field, we could not measure the $B_z$ magnetic field gradient. Our method also helps to improve the gradients of the miniature bi-planar coil design, which is critical for chip-scale atomic devices. Full article

Zero-field optically pumped magnetometers operating in the spin-exchange relaxation-free (SERF) regime have been extensively studied, and usually depend on zeroth-order parametric resonance to measure the magnetic field. However, the studies conducted on this topic lack thorough analyses and in-depth discussion of nonzero-order magnetic resonances in single-beam SERF magnetometers. In this paper, we analyzed the nonzero-order resonance, especially the first-order resonance, based on a single-beam SERF magnetometer, and discussed its various applications. A comprehensive theoretical analysis and experiments were conducted with respect to multiple functions, including nonzero finite magnetic field measurements, spin polarization measurement, and in situ coil constant calibration. The results showed that first-order resonance can be utilized for nonzerofinite magnetic field measurements, and the spin polarization of alkali-metal atoms can be determined by measuring the slowing-down factor using the resonance condition. Furthermore, acquiring the first-order resonance point at an equivalent zero pump light power through fitting offers an approach for quick and precise in situ coil constant calibration. This study contributes to the applications of SERF magnetometers in nonzero finite magnetic fields. Full article

This paper presents a tracking system using magnetometers, possibly integrable in a deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrode. DBS is a treatment for movement disorders where the position of the implant is of prime importance. Positioning challenges during the surgery could be addressed thanks to a magnetic tracking. The system proposed in this paper, complementary to existing procedures, has been designed to bridge preoperative clinical imaging with DBS surgery, allowing the surgeon to increase his/her control on the implantation trajectory. Here the magnetic source required for tracking consists of three coils, and is experimentally mapped. This mapping has been performed with an in-house three-dimensional magnetic camera. The system demonstrates how magnetometers integrated directly at the tip of a DBS electrode, might improve treatment by monitoring the position during and after the surgery. The three-dimensional operation without line of sight has been demonstrated using a reference obtained with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of a simplified brain model. We observed experimentally a mean absolute error of 1.35 mm and an Euclidean error of 3.07 mm. Several areas of improvement to target errors below 1 mm are also discussed. Full article

A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) torsional resonant magnetometer based on Lorentz force was investigated, consisting of torsional structures, torsional beams, metal plates, a coil, and a glass substrate. The Lorentz force, introduced by the interaction between the current in the MEMS coil and an external horizontal magnetic field, leads to displacement of the torsional structure. The strength of the magnetic field is proportional to this displacement, and can be detected with two sensing capacitors fabricated on the torsion structure and the substrate. To improve sensor sensitivity, a folded torsional beam and a double-layer excitation coil were introduced. The fabrication processes included lift-off, anodic bonding, chemical mechanical planarization, silicon nitride (SiNx) deposition, plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition, and inductively coupled plasma release. The prototype of the magnetometer was finished and packaged. The sensor performance, including its sensitivity and repeatability, was tested in a low-pressure environment. Additionally, the influences of structural parameters were analyzed, including the resistance of the excitation coil, the initial value of the capacitors, the elastic coefficient of the torsional beam, and the number of layers in the excitation coil. The test results demonstrated that this sensor could meet the requirements for attitude determination systems in low earth orbit satellites. Full article

This paper reports a drive and detection method for Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS)-based Lorentz-force resonance magnetometers. Based on the proposed MEMS magnetometer, a drive and detection method was developed by using self-oscillation to adjust the mismatch between the mechanical resonance frequency and the coil drive frequency as affected by temperature fluctuations and vibration amplitude changes. Not only was the signal-to-noise ratio enhanced by the proposed method compared to the traditional method, but the test system automatically reached resonance frequency very rapidly when powered on. Moreover, the linearity and the measurement range were improved by the magnetic feedback generated by the coil. Test results indicated that the sensitivity of the proposed magnetometer is 59.6 mV/μT and its noise level is 0.25 μT. When operating in ±65 μT, its nonlinearity is 2.5‰—only one-tenth of the former prototype. Its power consumption is only about 250 mW and its size is only 28 mm × 28 mm × 10 mm, or about one-eighth of the original sensor; further, unlike the former device, it can distinguish both positive and negative magnetic fields. The proposed method can also be applied in other MEMS sensors such as gyroscopes and micromirrors to enhance their frequency tracking ability. Full article

We describe the detection characteristics of a device the Resonant Coil Magnetometer (RCM) to quantify paramagnetic particles (PMPs) in immunochromatographic (lateral flow) assays. Lateral flow assays were developed using PMPs for the measurement of total prostate specific antigen (PSA) in serum samples. A detection limit of 0.8 ng/mL was achieved for total PSA using the RCM and is at clinically significant concentrations. Comparison of data obtained in a pilot study from the analysis of serum samples with commercially available immunoassays shows good agreement. The development of a quantitative magneto-immunoassay in lateral flow format for total PSA suggests the potential of the RCM to operate with many immunoassay formats. The RCM has the potential to be modified to quantify multiple analytes in this format. This research shows promise for the development of an inexpensive device capable of quantifying multiple analytes at the point-of-care using a magneto-immunoassay in lateral flow format. Full article

A novel design of a MEMS torsional resonant magnetometer based on Lorentz force is presented and fabricated. The magnetometer consists of a silicon resonator, torsional beam, excitation coil, capacitance plates and glass substrate. Working in a resonant condition, the sensor’s vibration amplitude is converted into the sensing capacitance change, which reflects the outside magnetic flux-density. Based on the simulation, the key structure parameters are optimized and the air damping effect is estimated. The test results of the prototype are in accordance with the simulation results of the designed model. The resolution of the magnetometer can reach 30 nT. The test results indicate its sensitivity of more than 400 mV/μT when operating in a 10 Pa vacuum environment. Full article