High accuracy mapping of magnetic fields with a fiber optic interferometer
US4634977A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 27, 1982 |
| Grant date | Jan 6, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 27, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S505/845
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of mapping at least a portion of a magnetic field with an interferometer is presented. The interferometer includes an optical fiber clad with a magnetostrictive material. The approximate direction of the magnetic field lines are determined and the optical fiber is placed substantially transverse to the magnetic field lines. The output of the interferometer is recorded for various positions of the optical fiber. The fiber can be maintained substantially transverse to the magnetic field lines during mapping, or the fiber can be positioned substantially transverse to the field lines to precisely determine the direction of field lines and substantially parallel to the field lines to determine field magnitude. In one embodiment the interferometer is adapted to produce a null output for a predetermined value of the integral of the magnetic field along the length of the optical fiber, and the optical fiber is of uniform construction. In this embodiment, the loci of reference points corresponding to null outputs provides a mapping of points of symmetry in the magnetic field. The direction of magnetic field lines at a point in space is also determined by seeking the minimum output …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.