Magnetostrictive magnetometer
US5039943A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 8, 1990 |
| Grant date | Aug 13, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 8, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R33/02
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A magnetometer which employs a rod of magnetostrictive material comprising a ternary alloy of dysprosium, terbium and iron wherein the grains of the material have their common principal axes substantially pointed along the axis of the rod. Means are provided for compressively stressing the rod in order to enhance the magnetostrictive response thereof. A laser source and photosensor are associated with a free end of the rod to function as an external cavity laser sensor. A DC magnetic bias is required for the magnetostrictive rod in order to operate in the sensitive range of the magnetostrictive characteristics of the rod. In a portable implementation of the device, the DC bias is provided by means of permanent magnets, preferably rare earth magnets, in order to provide the high bias fields compatible with high sensitivity of the material in a miniaturized portable device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.