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Smallest measurements.
Biggest advance.

Highly sensitive methods for measuring magnetic fields still have decisive disadvantages: they either require very large setups, have high power consumption, the components used suffer from self-heating or the fields to be measured are influenced by eddy currents. A microwave-free quantum magnetometer can be built inexpensively and compactly. Its high sensitivity makes it interesting for use in numerous fields of application.

Microwave-free, quantum-based magnetic field sensor for use in the most adverse conditions

Quantum sensors use laws and processes based on quantum technology. Physical quantities such as temperature, speed, electric and magnetic fields as well as positions can be determined with a previously unrealizable accuracy. Currently, research institutes and industrial companies such as Turck duotec are preparing quantum sensor technology or quantum magnetic sensor technology for practical application.

The sensor to be realized uses high-density NV diamonds that emit red fluorescence radiation when irradiated with green light, which is influenced by magnetic flux densities. In this way, a highly sensitive and dynamic as well as galvanically isolated magnetic field sensor can be produced, which, compared to other NV-based sensors, does not require the application of microwaves.

The sensor can be built inexpensively and compactly, a miniaturized design already exists. Operation is possible over a wide temperature range, including room temperature.

A thousandth is still a thousand times too inaccurate.

The measurement procedure

The sensor system uses the magnetic field-dependent red fluorescence of high-density NV diamonds. The red fluorescence radiation is produced when irradiated with green light. The sensor uses the magnetic field dependence of the spin states of the NV centres and the associated change in fluorescence intensity to measure the magnetic flux density.

Advantages of the microwave-free, quantum-based magnetic field sensor

  • Simple and inexpensive assembly
  • Freedom from property rights, legal usability
  • Unproblematic sensor element alignment in a later series production, as no crystal alignment is required
  • No sensor reset required, no hysteresis or memory effects
  • High reaction speed of the fluorescence signal (<20ns)
  • Scalar magnetometry
  • Large working distance possible
  • Sensor element surface with maximum mechanical hardness (10);
    can be brought into direct contact with moving surfaces.
  • Optical sensor element with purely optical coupling without microwaves, e.g. made possible with optical waveguides:
    • Galvanic isolation of magnetic field measurement and evaluation electronics with data bus connection (>1kV, important for current measurement in batteries for electric vehicles main drives)
    • No self-heating as with current measurement with bus shunts
    • Chemical inertness of the sensing element when the element is coupled via an optical fibre (placement in electrochemical cells such as batteries possible)
    • Measurements possible at very high temperature (up to ~720°C = oxidation limit) and very low temperature (e.g. LN2, LHe temperature)
    • Measurement possible in contaminated areas (e.g. during medical examinations in radiology)

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Possible fields of application

Due to the wide temperature range, a possible use under ionising radiation as well as an application under very adverse environmental conditions, the quantum-based magnetic field sensor is suitable for:

Machinery and
Plant engineering
Medical Technology
High-voltage
Technology

As an EMS and E2MS service provider, Turck duotec has more than thirty years of expertise in the production and development of electronic component groups/sensors and the corresponding know-how in the industrialisation of products. Turck duotec is a strategic investor in Quantum Technologies, a company for sensitive material or magnetic field detection.

Together, the two companies are working on the development of a market-ready quantum magnetic sensor, with the aim of expanding the portfolio for customers in the medical technology, energy, communication and many other segments.

© 2023 - Quantum Technologies
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