Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 19, 2026
09:43
Optimized Setup and Protocol for Magnetic Domain Imaging with In Situ Hysteresis Measurement
Published on: November 7, 2017
10.0K
Space magnetometer based on an anisotropic magnetoresistive hybrid sensor
P Brown1, B J Whiteside1, T J Beek1
1Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BW, United Kingdom.
The Review of Scientific Instruments
|January 3, 2015
Summary
This study presents a low-resource vector magnetometer for small spacecraft, achieving high sensitivity for space weather research. The novel design enables precise measurements of magnetic fields, crucial for understanding space plasma phenomena.
Area of Science:
- Space Science
- Geophysics
- Instrumentation
Background:
- Small spacecraft missions require compact, low-power, and sensitive magnetometers.
- Accurate measurement of Earth's magnetic field and space plasma phenomena is vital for space weather forecasting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and develop a low-resource, dual-sensor vector magnetometer suitable for very small spacecraft.
- To enable sensitive magnetic field measurements for space science applications.
Main Methods:
- Developed a hybrid magnetometer combining commercial anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) sensors with a totem pole H-Bridge drive.
- Implemented a drive enabling AMR sensor operation in a more sensitive flipped mode without current spikes.
- Integrated three instruments for the TRIO-CINEMA space weather mission.
Main Results:
- Achieved magnetometer sensitivity better than 3 nT in a 0-10 Hz band with a total mass of 104 g.
- Successfully launched three instruments on the TRIO-CINEMA mission.
- Enabled extraction of physical signals, such as field-aligned current deflections (20-60 nT), within a 45,000 nT ambient field through inter-calibration.
Conclusions:
- The developed vector magnetometer is a viable, low-resource solution for magnetic field measurements on small spacecraft.
- The instrument's performance allows for the detection of subtle magnetic field variations relevant to space weather.
- Successful deployment on the TRIO-CINEMA mission validates its application in real-world space science scenarios.
Related Concept Videos
01:31Magnetic Susceptibility and Permeability
2.9K
In linear magnetic materials, like paramagnets and diamagnets, magnetization is proportional to the magnetic field intensity. The constant of proportionality, a dimensionless number, is called magnetic susceptibility. The value of the susceptibility depends on the type of material.
When diamagnetic materials are placed under an external magnetic field, the moments opposite to the field are induced. Hence, the susceptibility for diamagnets has a minimal negative value of 10-5–10-6. Since...
When diamagnetic materials are placed under an external magnetic field, the moments opposite to the field are induced. Hence, the susceptibility for diamagnets has a minimal negative value of 10-5–10-6. Since...
2.9K
01:28Magnetostatic Boundary Conditions
1.9K
An electric field suffers a discontinuity at a surface charge. Similarly, a magnetic field is discontinuous at a surface current. The perpendicular component of a magnetic field is continuous across the interface of two magnetic mediums. In contrast, its parallel component, perpendicular to the current, is discontinuous by the amount equal to the product of the vacuum permeability and the surface current. Like the scalar potential in electrostatics, the vector potential is also continuous...
1.9K
01:31Ferromagnetism
3.6K
Materials like iron, nickel, and cobalt consist of magnetic domains, within which the magnetic dipoles are arranged parallel to each other. The magnetic dipoles are rigidly aligned in the same direction within a domain by quantum mechanical coupling among the atoms. This coupling is so strong that even thermal agitation at room temperature cannot break it. The result is that each domain has a net dipole moment. However, some materials have weaker coupling, and are ferromagnetic at lower...
3.6K
01:18Other Unique Bacteria
566
Magnetic bacteria exhibit a directed movement called magnetotaxis, driven by structures called magnetosomes. These magnetosomes consist of chains of magnetic particles made of either magnetite (Fe₃O₄) or greigite (Fe₃S₄) and are organized in a linear conformation by a protein scaffold within invaginations of the cell membrane. The bacteria align along the north–south magnetic field lines, much like a compass needle. They are typically microaerophilic or anaerobic...
566
01:30Paramagnetism
3.3K
Paramagnets are materials with unpaired electrons that possess a finite magnetic moment. In the absence of a magnetic field, these moments are randomly oriented, and thus the net moment is zero. Under an external field, a torque acting on the moments tends to align them along the field's direction. However, the random thermal motion of electrons produces a torque opposite to the external field and tries to disorient the moments. These two competing effects align only a few moments along the...
3.3K
01:30Magnetism
10.2K
Magnets are commonly found in everyday objects, such as toys, hangers, elevators, doorbells, and computer devices. Experimentation on these magnets shows that all magnets have two poles: one is labeled north (N) and the other south (S). Magnetic poles repel if they are alike and attract if unlike. Moreover, both poles of a magnet attract unmagnetized pieces of iron.
An individual magnetic pole cannot be isolated. No matter how small, every piece of a magnet contains a north pole and a south...
An individual magnetic pole cannot be isolated. No matter how small, every piece of a magnet contains a north pole and a south...
10.2K