Magnetic field direction sensor - has mutually orthogonal superconductive elements exhibiting resistance anisotropy

摘要

A device for determining the local direction of a magnetic field has (i) two superconductive elements (4,5), each having a prenounced resistance anisotropy dependent on the position of a predetermined plane (4a,5a) relative to the magnetic field direction and each passing a current in a preferred direction (h1,h2) in this plane (4a,5a), the two planes (4a,5a) being mutually orthogonal; (ii) a system for cooling the elements (4,5) to a predetermined operating temp. (T) below the critical temp.; (iii) a system for rotating the elements (4,5) about axes (D2,D1) parallel to the preferred directions (h1,h2); and (iv) a system for measuring the voltage (U1,U2) across each element (4,5) in the preferred direction (h1,h2) when a constant supercritical current (I1,I2) flows in the preferred direction (h1,h2). ADVANTAGE - The magnetic field direction can be determined with high precision.