PT-Level High-Sensitivity Magnetic Sensor with Amorphous Wire

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Physics

Background:

• High-sensitivity magnetic sensors are crucial for various scientific and industrial applications.
• Amorphous magnetic materials offer unique properties for sensor development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a picotesla (PT) level high-sensitivity magnetic sensor using amorphous wire.
• To enhance the sensor's performance through a resonant circuit and evaluate its application in eddy current testing.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a magnetic sensor using a (FeCoSiB) amorphous wire (0.1 mm diameter, 5 mm length) with a 30-turn coil.
• Biasing the sensor with a 1 MHz AC and DC current.
• Incorporation of a resonant circuit to amplify the signal.
• Development of an eddy current testing system utilizing the magnetic sensor.

Main Results:

• Achieved a 10-fold increase in signal amplitude (10 mV/Gauss to ~100 mV/Gauss).
• Improved magnetic field resolution by 5 times (30 pT/√Hz to 6 pT/√Hz).
• Successfully evaluated artificial defects in an aluminum plate using the developed eddy current testing system.

Conclusions:

• The developed amorphous wire magnetic sensor demonstrates high sensitivity and resolution at the picotesla level.
• The integration of a resonant circuit significantly enhances sensor performance.
• The sensor is effective for non-destructive testing applications, such as detecting defects in materials.