MAGNETO-OPTICAL IMAGING METHOD AND DEVICE

摘要

The invention relates to a quantitative magneto-optical imaging method and device which are used to form an image of a target material (2). According to the invention, an active material (15) is used in order to produce a Faraday rotation in a polarised light beam. Said material is placed close to the target material (2) that is to be imaged. The Faraday rotation of the active material (15) is essentially proportional to the magnetisation when it is subjected to an excitation magnetic field. Moreover, photo-detector means (7) detect the beam reflected after passing through the active material. The light from the reflected beam can then be analysed in order to deduce the amplitude and the phase of a disturbance magnetic field created by a defect in the target material (2) subjected to the excitation magnetic field.