Optical sensor of magnetic fields

Patent · Tue Mar 25 00:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6707776

Butler, M A; Martin, S J

An optical magnetic field strength sensor for measuring the field strength of a magnetic field comprising a dilute magnetic semi-conductor probe having first and second ends, longitudinally positioned in the magnetic field for providing Faraday polarization rotation of light passing therethrough relative to the strength of the magnetic field. Light provided by a remote light source is propagated through an optical fiber coupler and a single optical fiber strand between the probe and the light source for providing a light path therebetween. A polarizer and an apparatus for rotating the polarization of the light is provided in the light path and a reflector is carried by the second end of the probe for reflecting the light back through the probe and thence through the polarizer to the optical coupler. A photo detector apparatus is operably connected to the optical coupler for detecting and measuring the intensity of the reflected light and comparing same to the light source intensity whereby the magnetic field strength may be calculated.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Application Number: ON: DE87007222
• OSTI ID: 6707776
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
MAGNETOMETERS
FARADAY EFFECT
MAGNETIC SEMICONDUCTORS
OPTICAL FIBERS
CADMIUM
ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSES
HIGH-VOLTAGE PULSE GENERATORS
LIGHTNING
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MANGANESE
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
PHOTODETECTORS
POLARIZATION
TELLURIUM
USES
WAVE PROPAGATION
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
FIBERS
FUNCTION GENERATORS
MATERIALS
METALS
PULSE GENERATORS
PULSES
RADIATIONS
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SEMIMETALS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
440300* - Miscellaneous Instruments- (-1989)