Exploiting MO Crystals and Faraday Effect in Magnetic Sensing
Abstract
Magneto-optics (MO) technology is believed to be far more advanced in the former Soviet Union when compared to the US. This is evidenced by the existence of factories geared for the production of Yttrium Iron Garnet (YIG) wafers. The potential advantages to MO Crystal Technology over other magnetic sensing technologies are (1) light weight and compact construction, (2) low cost, and (3) low power implementation concepts. A candidate sensor consists of a low power laser, polarizers, sensors, and housing. Such components can be combined in a fashion to keep weight down by using light-weight construction in the housing. Cost can be reduced by mass producing components. Tera Research purchased a wafer for evaluation. This wafer yielded over 100 crystals for individual use. When mass produced, the engineering recurring cost will be far less. The other components will be commercial off the shelf parts that when ordered in bulk quantities will be inexpensive as well. The required power is determined by the laser supply, processing computer and any necessary signal generators. The first two can easily be manufactured from low power semiconductor components. The latter is a separate engineering task which can exploit low data rates and low background noise transponder frequencies or modulations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 25, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA409237
Entities
People
- Robert C. White