Magnetic Field Measurements Research Articles

Electron Beams at Europa

AbstractJupiter's moon Europa contains a subsurface ocean whose presence is inferred from magnetic field measurements, the interpretation of which depends on knowledge of Europa's local plasma environment. A recent Juno spacecraft flyby returned new observations of plasma electrons with unprecedented resolution. Specifically, powerful magnetic field‐aligned electron beams were discovered near Europa. These beams, with energies from ∼30 to ∼300 eV, locally enhance electron‐impact‐excited emissions and ionization in Europa's atmosphere by more than a factor three over the local space environment, and are associated with large jumps of the magnetic fields. The beams therefore play an essential role in shaping Europa's plasma and magnetic field environment and thus need to be accounted for electromagnetic sounding of Europa's ocean and plume detection by future missions such as JUICE and Europa Clipper.

Fabrication of tips for scanning probe magnetometry by diamond growth

The use of quantum sensors is promising detailed insights into physical phenomena such as magnetism or superconductivity. One example of such quantum sensors is a microscopic diamond tip containing nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers, which is capable of producing correlated measurements of vectorial magnetic fields and the sample topography on the nanoscale. In this study, we present a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process to produce diamond tips with NV centers by overgrowing microstructured diamond substrates. The resulting diamond tips exhibit a radius of curvature of approximately 10 nm, suitable for use as a probe in an atomic force microscope. The magnetic sensitivity of the CVD-grown diamond tips is characterized with pulsed measurements of the optically detected magnetic resonance, which yield a minimum magnetic sensitivity of 60 µT Hz−1 . The growth of the diamond microstructures is observed to differ from the commonly used geometric model predicting CVD growth of bulk diamond crystals. We identify an empirical model for the growth behavior of the microstructures by taking into account processes described in the step flow growth model for crystals. Additionally, we demonstrate the applicability of the developed CVD growth process to membrane substrates required for the preparation of magnetometry-capable diamond tips.

The design and application of magnetic landmark used for magnetic fiducialization of HEPS insertion devices*

Abstract Achieving high performance in synchrotron radiation light sources demands increased precision in fiducialization and alignment of insertion devices (IDs). Conventional sensor systems utilizing Hall probes for high-precision magnetic field measurements face limitations in determining the absolute position of the magnetic center of IDs. In this paper, the Magnetic Landmark (MLK), a novel solution based on a magnetized block structure, is designed to address this challenge. The MLK serves as an intermediary, establishing contact between the magnetic center of IDs and their externally accessible fiducials, thus enabling high-precision alignment. Through analysis of magnetic field distribution, self-calibration precision, and practical application of the MLK, the following conclusions are drawn: when the Hall probe is positioned within 0.5 mm of the magnetic field zero point inside the MLK, the measurement accuracy of the zero point for normal and skew quadrupole magnetic fields reaches 7 and 2 μm, respectively. Additionally, the self-measurement accuracy of the MLK is 10 and 4 μm in the transverse and vertical directions, respectively. These accuracies meet our usage requirements. The MLK demonstrates efficacy in aligning the magnetic center of High Energy Photon Source (HEPS) In-air undulators, achieving alignment accuracies of 16 μm in the transverse direction and 11 μm in the vertical direction, surpassing the 30 μm accuracy stipulated in the physical design. Furthermore, the device proves applicable for measuring the magnetic center of other types of HEPS insertion devices, including Cryogenic undulators.

The Response of the Earth Magnetosphere to Changes in the Solar Wind Dynamic Pressure: 1. Plasma and Magnetic Pressures

AbstractIn the present study, the influence of the solar wind dynamic pressure on the plasma and magnetic pressures of the magnetosphere is studied. We use 11‐year Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) instruments for plasma and magnetic field measurements in the magnetosphere and the OMNI database for solar wind dynamic pressure and IMF data. We focus on the effects of the solar wind dynamic pressure (PSW) and consider only times in which the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) components are within ±5 nT. We find that the plasma pressure inside the magnetosphere follows the solar wind dynamic pressure and that an increase in PSW also influence the day‐night pressure asymmetry. Our analysis also reveals the existence of ion and electron drifts from midnight toward the dusk and dawn sectors, respectively. We observe a local magnetic pressure minimum located near a plasma pressure maximum at around 11 RE on the nightside. Comparing the effect of PSW on both plasma and magnetic pressures, we observe trends which are consistent with the diamagnetic properties of plasmas. In general, the distribution of plasma pressure within the Earth's magnetosphere is an important criterion for evaluating the magnetostatic equilibrium and electric current system. The outcome of this study should provide additional methodologies for the characterization of key plasma characteristics within the magnetosphere.

Evolution of the Leader Discharge in Bi‐Directional Propagation System in Altitude‐Triggered Lightning

AbstractOn 18 June 2023, comprehensive observations were conducted to an altitude‐triggered lightning flash. Upward positive leader (UPL) and downward negative leader (DNL) in a bi‐directional development system were detected simultaneously by a high‐speed camera, together with the coordinated measurements of magnetic field and very‐high‐frequency (VHF) emissions. High‐speed images reveal, for the first time, the enhancement of the UPL's propagation speed by DNL in the bi‐directional leader system. Concretely, the upward positive leader initially originates from a suspended wire tip and propagates at a two dimensional (2D) speed of 5.32 × 104 m/s, and after about 6.3 ms, its propagation speed was enhanced to 1.12 × 105 m/s when the stepped DNL started advancing at an average speed of 1.44 × 105 m/s. Additionally, based on the evolution of channel luminosity and the variations of magnetic radiation, it is found that there is a consistency in luminosity variation between the ascending channel and the descending channel in the bi‐directional leader system, and the amplitude of the magnetic field increases when the negative discharges start at the bottom wire end with intensive VHF emissions. Those facts indicate that the DNL has an effect, may be a positive one, on the UPL's development in the early stage of altitude‐triggered lightning.

The motional Stark effect diagnostic for ITER.

An overview of the plans for the motional Stark effect (MSE) diagnostic installation on the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is presented. The MSE diagnostic uniquely provides spatially localized magnetic field measurements inside the plasma. These are used to constrain equilibrium reconstructions to determine q(r), the safety factor as a function of minor radius. Meeting the system requirements to deliver q-profiles and related quantities with the specified radial resolution of 20 points over the minor radius, 10ms time resolution, and better than 10% accuracy is challenging. MSE systems observe the D/H-α emission near 656.3nm from neutral beams. As the beam atoms traverse the magnetic field, B⃗, at high velocity, v⃗, they experience a Lorentz electric field, v⃗×B⃗, which causes the spectral emission to be split and polarized due to the Stark effect. Traditional MSE-LP (line polarization) measurements determine the direction of the magnetic field in the observation volume using polarimetric analysis of the detected light. The harsh conditions of ITER are expected to deposit thin films of contaminants on the first mirror, which would alter the polarization state of reflected light significantly. On ITER, the combination of high magnetic field strength and high energy beams makes the Stark spectrum resolution suitable for the determination of the magnetic field magnitude from the line shift, so this approach has been selected. Every aspect of the measurement system must be planned for the burning plasma environment and carefully analyzed ahead of time. Current status and plans for the system are presented.

First Observation of Harmonics of Magnetosonic Waves in Martian Magnetosheath Region

AbstractThe present study provides an evidence for the generation of harmonics of magnetosonic waves in the Martian magnetosheath region. The wave signatures are manifested in the magnetic field measurements recorded by the fluxgate magnetometer instrument onboard the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution missioN (MAVEN) spacecraft in the dawn sector around 5–10 LT at an altitude of 4,000–6,000 kms. The wave that is observed continuously from 19.1 to 20.7 UT below the proton cyclotron frequency (fci ≈ 46 mHz) is identified as fundamental mode of the magnetosonic wave. Whereas harmonics of the magnetosonic wave are observed during 19.7–20.3 UT at frequencies that are multiple of fci. The ambient solar wind proton density and plasma flow velocity are found to vary with a fundamental mode frequency of 46 mHz. It is noticed that the fundamental mode is mainly associated with the left‐hand (LH), and higher frequency harmonics are associated with the right‐hand (RH) circular polarizations. A clear difference in the polarization and ellipticity is noticed during the time of occurrence of harmonics. The magnetosonic wave harmonics are found to propagate in the quasi‐perpendicular directions to the ambient magnetic field. The results of linear theory and Particle‐In‐Cell simulation performed here are in agreement with the observations. The present study provides a conclusive evidence for the occurrence of harmonics of magnetosonic wave in the close vicinity of the magnetosheath region of the unmagnetized planet Mars.

The Ionospheric Leg of the Substorm Current Wedge: Combining Iridium and Ground Magnetometers

AbstractUtilizing magnetic field measurements made by the Iridium satellites and by ground magnetometers in North America we calculate the full ionospheric current system and investigate the substorm current wedge. The current estimates are independent of ionospheric conductance, and are based on estimates of the divergence‐free (DF) ionospheric current from ground magnetometers and curl‐free (CF) ionospheric currents from Iridium. The DF and CF currents are represented using spherical elementary current systems (SECS), derived using a new inversion scheme that ensures the current systems' spatial scales are consistent. We present 18 substorm events and find a typical substorm current wedge (SCW) in 12 events. Our investigation of these substorms shows that during substorm expansion, equivalent field‐aligned currents (EFACs) derived with ground magnetometers are a poor proxy of the actual FAC. We also find that the intensification of the westward electrojet can occur without an intensification of the FACs. We present theoretical investigations that show that the observed deviation between FACs estimated with satellite measurements and ground‐based EFACs are consistent with the presence of a strong local enhancement of the ionospheric conductance, similar to the substorm bulge. Such enhancements of the auroral conductance can also change the ionospheric closure of pre‐existing FACs such that the ground magnetic field, and in particular the westward electrojet, changes significantly. These results demonstrate that attributing intensification of the westward electrojet to SCW current closure can yield false understanding of the ionospheric and magnetospheric state.

Sensitivity of a vector atomic magnetometer based on electromagnetically induced transparency.

We present a realization of a magnetic sensor based on electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) resonances observed in hot Rb vapor using lin∥lin polarized dichromatic light and evaluate scalar and vector capabilities of the sensor for measuring Earth-like magnetic fields. We demonstrate scalar measurement sensitivity of 2p T/H z in the 1-100 Hz spectral frequency band using a ~1 cm3 Rb vapor cell, significantly improving the performance for such a configuration if compared with earlier measurements of large magnetic fields. By using a single linearly polarized dichromatic optical field, we are also able to determine the direction of the magnetic field with respect to the light propagation direction and polarization, taking advantage of the symmetries of the interaction scheme. We accomplish that by combining the polarization-sensitive transmission measurements and sparse sensing machine learning techniques. A path for further improvement of the sensitivity and elimination of systematic effects, such as heading errors, is discussed.

A potential optical approach for diagnosis of the local magnetic field near the surface of the first wall/divertor tiles by Zeeman effect using polarization-resolved laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Magnetic field measurement is the basic diagnosis to obtain the physical engineering parameters of magnetic confinement fusion device and the macro information of plasma discharge. The real-time diagnosis of magnetic field distribution near the plasma-facing components (PFCs) surface provides the important information on the migration and transport model of key elements. In this work, a remote, in-situ approach for the magnetic field measurement near the surface of PFCs by the polarization-resolved laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) based on Zeeman effect is proposed and implemented. The Zeeman characteristics of the emission spectra of laser-induced W, Mo and C plasmas were verified in the laboratory by using different magnetic field configurations. According to the polarization characteristics of the Zeeman sublines of the LIBS spectrum, the intensity and direction of the external local magnetic field were successively identified by using a linear polarizer. Subsequently, a linear array fiber was utilized to determine the polarity of the external magnetic field. And finally, the magnetic field intensity near the lower edge surface of the tungsten baffle of the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) upper divertor was measured when the field coils were demagnetized. This method can supplement the experimental data near the PFCs for the magnetic field configuration of the magnetic confinement fusion device and provide a reference for the wall element analysis model diagnosed by LIBS.

Altitude Heterogeneity of Magnetic Fields and Doppler Velocities in the Area of Seismic Source of a Strong Solar Flare from Data in Helium, Sodium, and Nickel Lines

Measurements of magnetic fields near seismic sources during solar flares are vital for understanding the dynamics of solar activity. We used spectropolarimetric observations of the X17.2/4B solar flare on 28 October 2003, over a wavelength interval of 43 Å, including the D3, D2, D1, and Ni I 5892.88 Å lines, to analyze the Stokes I ± V profiles. Effective magnetic fields within 0.5–1.5 kG were measured in the D1, D2, and D3 lines at different flare locations, with the photospheric Ni I 5892.88 Å line showing a weaker field of below 0.5 kG. The D3 line showed rapid plasma descents of up to 11 km/s, in contrast to the slower velocities within 2.3 km/s observed in other lines. The differing amplitudes in the I + V and I − V profiles indicated potential non-Zeeman polarization effects. Secondary Stokes V peaks were also detected up to 8 Å from the D3 emission core. Significant altitudinal inhomogeneity in the magnetic field strengths was detected, possibly indicating the local magnetic collapse, facilitating the Lorentz-force driven mechanism of the seismic source excitation.

Fluid Flow, Solidification and Solute Transport in Slab Continuous Casting with Different S-EMS Installation Positions

During continuous slab casting, strand electromagnetic stirring (S-EMS) has a significant effect on improving the slab quality. In the current work, a numerical model based on the practical slab continuous casting machine and coupled electromagnetic field, flow field, solidification, and solute transport was established to investigate and evaluate the effect of the S-EMS installation position with various current intensities on metallurgical behavior. The model was verified by magnetic field measurement, infrared camera, and nail shooting experiments. The results show that moving the S-EMS installation position to the solidification end reduces the stirring effect due to the skin effect and the increasing thickness of the slab shell. A higher installation position is beneficial for improving the equiaxed grain rate, while a lower one is beneficial for reducing carbon segregation. The maximum segregation index and range decrease from 1.26 to 1.2 and from 0.42 to 0.36 with the installation position being decreased from −3 m to −12.8 m, respectively. The industrial trials show that S-EMS installed at 3 m has a significant effect on expanding the equiaxed grain zone and a deteriorating effect on reducing carbon segregation.

Conceptual design of a tilt-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle for Mars exploration

Measurements of Martian magnetic field, atmosphere and sampling are core missions of Martian exploration. Since the successful demonstration of the Ingenuity Helicopter, a large amount of researches have emerged on Mars rotor-craft. However, Mars rotor-crafts have short endurance and limited detection range. This paper proposes a solar-powered tilt-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) named Archaeopteryx-I, which can perform vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) and long-endurance level flight. Its general concepts are first elucidated. Then, a multidisciplinary modeling and optimization method is proposed. Considering the harsh magnetic field and atmospheric environment of Mars, the detailed designation of mission system is carried out to further enhance the performance of Archaeopteryx-I, including avionics, energy flow, control system and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) design. Finally, the conceptual design scheme is validated through simulation and ground testing. The results illustrate the efficaciousness and applicability of Archaeopteryx-I for Mars exploration.

Copper permalloys for fluxgate magnetometer sensors

Abstract. Fluxgate magnetometers are commonly used to provide high-fidelity vector magnetic field measurements. The magnetic noise of the measurement is typically dominated by that intrinsic to a ferromagnetic core used to modulate (gate) the local field as part of the fluxgate sensing mechanism. A polycrystalline molybdenum–nickel–iron alloy (6.0–81.3 Mo permalloy) has been used in fluxgates since the 1970s for its low magnetic noise. Guided by previous investigations of high-permeability copper–nickel–iron alloys, we investigate alternative materials for fluxgate sensing by examining the magnetic properties and fluxgate performance of that permalloy regime in the range 28 %–45 % Cu by weight. Optimizing the alloy constituents within this regime enables us to create fluxgate cores with both lower noise and lower power consumption than equivalent cores based on the traditional molybdenum alloy. Racetrack geometry cores using six layers of ∼30 mm long foil washers consistently yield magnetic noise around 4–5 pT/Hz at 1 Hz and 6–7 pT/Hz at 0.1 Hz, meeting the 2012 1 s INTERMAGNET standard of less than 10 pT/Hz noise at 0.1 Hz.

Does high-latitude ionospheric electrodynamics exhibit hemispheric mirror symmetry?

Abstract. Ionospheric electrodynamics is a problem of mechanical stress balance mediated by electromagnetic forces. Joule heating (the total rate of frictional heating of thermospheric gases and ionospheric plasma) and ionospheric Hall and Pedersen conductances comprise three of the most basic descriptors of this problem. More than half a century after identification of their central role in ionospheric electrodynamics, several important questions about these quantities, including the degree to which they exhibit hemispheric symmetry under reversal of the sign of dipole tilt and the sign of the y component of the interplanetary magnetic field (so-called “mirror symmetry”), remain unanswered. While global estimates of these key parameters can be obtained by combining existing empirical models, one often encounters some frustrating sources of uncertainty: the measurements from which such models are derived, usually magnetic field and electric field or ion drift measurements, are typically measured separately and do not necessarily align. The models to be combined moreover often use different input parameters, different assumptions about hemispheric symmetry, and/or different coordinate systems. We eliminate these sources of uncertainty in model predictions of electromagnetic work J⋅E (in general not equal to Joule heating ηJ2) and ionospheric conductances by combining two new empirical models of the high-latitude ionospheric electric potential and ionospheric currents that are derived in a mutually consistent fashion: these models do not assume any form of symmetry between the two hemispheres; are based on Apex magnetic coordinates (denoted Apex), spherical harmonics, and the same model input parameters; and are derived exclusively from convection and magnetic field measurements made by the Swarm and CHAMP satellites. The model source code is open source and publicly available. Comparison of high-latitude distributions of electromagnetic work in each hemisphere as functions of dipole tilt and interplanetary magnetic field clock angle indicates that the typical assumption of mirror symmetry is largely justified. Model predictions of ionospheric Hall and Pedersen conductances exhibit a degree of symmetry, but clearly asymmetric responses to dipole tilt and solar wind driving conditions are also identified. The distinction between electromagnetic work and Joule heating allows us to identify where and under what conditions the assumption that the neutral wind corotates with the Earth is not likely to be physically consistent with predicted Hall and Pedersen conductances.

Research on measuring method of self-mixing interference magnetic field based on Faraday effect

In this paper, the magnetic field measurement method of laser self-mixing interference based on the Faraday effect is proposed. The polarization plane of the linearly polarized light is changed by the terbium gallium garnet crystal with the influence of the magnetic field. The light modulated by the magnetic field reentered into the laser cavity through the Brewster window and formed the self-mixing effect. The theoretical analysis of the self-mixing interference model based on the Faraday effect is conducted, which explains essential features of the experimental results. The magnetic field is measured by the peak-to-peak value of self-mixing interference signal. The experimental results show that the relative error of the magnetic field measurement is within ±1.6%. The measurement method has the advantage of simple and compact structure with strong anti-interference ability.

Micron-sized fiber diamond probe for quantum precision measurement of microwave magnetic field

Abstract We present a quantitative measurement of the horizontal component of the microwave magnetic field of a coplanar waveguide using a quantum diamond probe in fiber format. The measurement results are compared in detail with simulation, showing a good consistence. Further simulation shows fiber diamond probe brings negligible disturbance to the field under measurement compared to bulk diamond. This method will find important applications ranging from electromagnetic compatibility test and failure analysis of high frequency and high complexity integrated circuits.

Magnetic field mapping along a NV-rich nanodiamond-doped fiber

Integration of NV−-rich diamond with optical fibers enables guiding quantum information on the spin state of the NV− color center. Diamond-functionalized optical fiber sensors have been demonstrated with impressive sub-nanotesla magnetic field sensitivities over localized magnetic field sources, but their potential for distributed sensing remains unexplored. The volumetric incorporation of diamonds into the optical fiber core allows developing fibers sensitive to the magnetic field over their entire length. Theoretically, this makes distributed optical readout of small magnetic fields possible, but does not answer questions on the addressing of the spatial coordinate, i.e., the location of the field source, nor on the performance of a sensor where the NV− fluorescence is detected at one end, thereby integrating over color centers experiencing different field strength and microwave perturbation. Here, we demonstrate distributed magnetic field measurements using a step-index fiber with the optical core volumetrically functionalized with NV− diamonds. A microwave antenna on a translation stage is scanned along a 13 cm long section of a straight fiber. The NV− fluorescence is collected at the fiber's far end relative to the laser pump input end. Optically detected magnetic resonance spectra were recorded at the fiber output for every step of the antenna travel, revealing the magnetic field evolution along the fiber and indicating the magnetic field source location. The longitudinal distribution of the magnetic field along the fiber is detected with high accuracy. The simplicity of the demonstrated sensor would be useful for, e.g., magnetic-field mapping of photonics- and/or spintronics-based integrated circuits.

Gradient magnetic field measurement using first-order gradiometers equipped with 50 mm diameter pickup coils made out of a 2G high-Tc superconducting tape

Two types of first-order gradiometers equipped with 50 mm diameter pickup coils were made out of an REBaCuO High-Tc superconducting (HTS) flexible tape. The HTS tapes were formed into the HTS gradiometers by ``cut-and-wind'' method without cable jointing.The HTS gradiometers were examined at 77 K for magnetic sensitivity to a gradient field applied by an external coil. The axial-type HTS gradiometer eliminated the magnetic field output of the device induced by a uniform field, and enhanced the magnetic field output induced by a gradient field on the axis of the pickup coil. The planar-type HTS gradiometer made it possible to detect a 20 mm diameter steel cylinder placed beside the pickup coil in a uniform field of 100 µT by detecting the spatial field gradient in the vicinity of a ferromagnetic object.

Monitoring fatigue crack growth using magnetic stray field measurements

Monitoring fatigue crack growth using magnetic stray field measurements