Highly sensitive magnetic field sensor based on a polarimetric fiber laser assisted by a Terfenol-D bar

Area of Science:

• Photonics
• Magnetometry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Accurate magnetic field sensing is crucial for various scientific and industrial applications.
• Existing magnetic field sensors often face limitations in sensitivity, linearity, or repeatability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a highly sensitive magnetic field sensor.
• To investigate the sensor's performance characteristics, including sensitivity, linearity, and repeatability.

Main Methods:

• A polarimetric fiber laser incorporating high birefringence Erbium-doped fiber (Hi-Bi EDF) and fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) was designed.
• A Terfenol-D bar was integrated to transduce magnetic field variations by inducing stress on the Hi-Bi EDF.
• Shifts in polarimetric mode beat frequency (PMBF) were measured and correlated with magnetic field intensity.

Main Results:

• The sensor exhibited a high magnetic field sensitivity of -7.83 MHz/mT within the 3-12 mT linear range.
• The sensor demonstrated excellent repeatability across three consecutive tests.
• The achieved sensitivity is at least one order of magnitude higher than comparable sensors.

Conclusions:

• The proposed sensor offers superior magnetic field sensing capabilities.
• The sensor's design based on a polarimetric fiber laser and Terfenol-D is effective for high-sensitivity magnetometry.
• The sensor's performance indicates its potential for advanced applications requiring precise magnetic field detection.