Optical Magnetic Stray Field Imaging for Parallel Pixel Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for detecting magnetic stray fields on the surface of test objects are inefficient and costly, as they require sequential scanning, lacking the ability to simultaneously detect multiple pixels with the required sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a radiation source, magnetic field-sensitive medium, magnetic shield, illumination optics, reflective element, digital image sensor, and control and evaluation unit, which uses pump and probe radiation to optically detect free spin precession in the magnetic field-sensitive medium, allowing simultaneous detection of multiple pixels with high sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If sequential scanning is used to detect magnetic stray field, then system complexity is reduced, but detection time and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple independent pixel elements, each capable of detecting magnetic field at its specific location. This segmentation allows parallel detection across the entire surface simultaneously, eliminating sequential scanning while maintaining manageable complexity through modular pixel design
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from temporal dimension (sequential scanning over time) to spatial dimension (simultaneous detection across multiple pixels). By distributing detection capabilities across multiple spatial locations, the system achieves parallel measurement without requiring complex scanning mechanisms
2Productivity
If multiple pixels are detected simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple pixel elements are merged into a single integrated detection system that shares common components such as the magnetic field-sensitive medium, illumination source, and signal processing unit. This merging approach enables simultaneous multi-pixel detection while avoiding the need for separate detection systems at each location, thereby controlling overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs universal components that serve multiple pixels simultaneously, including a single magnetic field-sensitive medium that responds to fields across the entire surface and a common illumination system that excites all pixels. This multi-functionality reduces the number of required components while maintaining simultaneous detection capability
3Measurement precision
If high sensitivity detection is achieved, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A magnetic field-sensitive medium acts as an intermediary between the magnetic field and the detection pixels. This medium converts magnetic field information into detectable signals that can be read by the pixel elements, enabling high sensitivity detection without requiring each pixel to directly measure the magnetic field, thus reducing individual pixel complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces direct mechanical or electronic magnetic field sensing with an optical detection mechanism using magnetic field-sensitive medium that modulates optical properties. This substitution allows pixels to detect magnetic fields indirectly through optical signal changes, reducing the complexity of direct magnetic sensing components while achieving high sensitivity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables cost-effective, efficient, and sensitive detection of magnetic stray fields with spatial resolution, capable of resolving local stress concentrations and defects in components before failure, with a sensitivity of less than one nanotesla.
Implementation Method 1
the pump radiation is first injected into the magnetic field-sensitive medium to optically pump it
Implementation Method 2
the probe radiation is subsequently injected into the magnetic field-sensitive medium to probe the absorption modulated by the Larmor frequency due to the stray field
Implementation Method 3
it enables spin precession with a Larmor frequency dependent on the stray field
Implementation Method 4
the probe radiation is subsequently injected into the magnetic field-sensitive medium to probe the absorption modulated by the Larmor frequency due to the stray field
Implementation Method 5
a digital image sensor, an imaging optic, and a control and evaluation unit... the probe radiation is subsequently injected into the magnetic field-sensitive medium to probe the absorption modulated by the Larmor frequency
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a system for spatially resolved detection of a measure of the magnetic flux density of a magnetic stray field at the surface of a test object. The system according to the invention comprises a radiation source, a magnetic field-sensitive medium, a magnetic shield with a shielded volume, an illumination optic, a reflective element, a digital image sensor, an imaging optic, and a control and evaluation unit.