Vectorized magnetometer for space applications using electrical readout of atomic scale defects in silicon carbide

Area of Science:

• Planetary Science
• Space Instrumentation
• Semiconductor Physics

Background:

• Magnetometers are crucial for planetary exploration but traditional fluxgate and optically pumped types are too large and costly for CubeSats.
• Existing solid-state magnetometers often suffer from radiation damage and temperature instability, limiting their use in harsh space environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a compact, robust, and self-calibrating solid-state magnetometer suitable for CubeSat missions.
• To overcome the limitations of current magnetometer technologies in terms of size, cost, and environmental resilience.

Main Methods:

• Development of a novel magnetometer based on measuring magnetic field-induced current changes in a silicon carbide (SiC) pn junction.
• Utilizing atomic-scale defects within the SiC semiconductor to detect magnetic fields, eliminating the need for inductive sensing, high-frequency radio, or optical circuitry.

Main Results:

• The developed magnetometer is significantly more compact and lightweight than traditional space-based magnetometers.
• The SiC-based design demonstrates inherent robustness, enabling operation in extreme conditions like high radiation and high temperatures.
• The self-calibrating nature simplifies deployment and ensures reliable data acquisition.

Conclusions:

• This new SiC magnetometer technology is ideal for enabling advanced scientific investigations using swarms of CubeSats.
• Its resilience and compact form factor open possibilities for exploring challenging environments such as Venus and Jupiter.
• The development represents a significant advancement in miniaturized magnetic field sensing for space exploration.