Development of Miniature Fluxgate Magnetometers

Fluxgate magnetometers, introduced in the 1930's, continue to be used in a variety of applications, such as magnetic air-borne detection, search and surveillance operations, nondestructive testing of materials, palaeomagnetism, and exploration of magnetic fields in space. However, existing magnetic sensors have performance limits that do not meet advanced undersea weapons requirements, for example. Therefore, high sensitivity, low noise, highly stable, miniaturized magnetometers are currently in great need. This requires further research in the fabrication of fluxgate magnetometers, not only in material aspect to provide better core materials, but also in theoretical aspect to investigate the various material parameters in affecting the fluxgate performances. As such, this proposed SBIR is to develop a general nonlinear analysis for fluxgate operation on one hand, and to develop highly stable sensors for absolute measurement of weak field, and to provide compact inexpensive low-power designs for various search and surveillance operation and for aspect sensing applications on the other hand. In Phase I we will identify potential fabrication techniques and core material candidates and complete proof-of- concept experiments. A commercialization path will be outlined. In Phase II we will design, build and operate prototype fluxgate magnetometers. We will explore major cost and applicability issues associated with commercialization of our developed magnetic sensors. This research will seek to provide low cost production and sensing techniques that will facilitate the commercialization of flux:gate devices so that high performance sensors can find broader commercial applicability in the nondestructive sensing and testing industries.