| 摘要 |
<p>A gradiometer for measuring properties of a magnetic field and, in particular, for measuring magnetic field gradient components, comprising at least two magnetic sensors wherein at least two of the magnetic sensors are arranged to sense the magnetic field component in substantially the same direction. The magnetic sensors may be superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometers, Hall probes, flux gates, or magneto-resistive magnetometers. The gradiometer also includes a computer processor, loaded with an adaptive signal processing algorithm, for performing adaptive signal balancing of the magnetometer outputs. In a preferred embodiment the gradiometer may comprise at least eight magnetometers in a three-dimensional arrangement, and a set of three orthogonal global feedback coils, one for each direction x, y, z, such that the five independent magnetic field gradient components may be measured. The gradiometer may also be used to measure second or higher order magnetic field gradient components.</p> |
