New aspects on the performance of a fundamental mode orthogonal fluxgate magnetometer based on amorphous wire cores

The performance of a fundamental mode orthogonal fluxgate magnetometer based on Co68.15Fe4.35Si12.5B15 amorphous wires produced at National Inst. of R. & D. for Technical Physics Iasi is presented. Our efforts are concentrated on reducing the sensor noise (magnetic noise + noise of the electronics) and at the same time on increasing the sensitivity in order to achieve a maximum signal to noise ratio. Making a parallel between conventional orthogonal fluxgate and fundamental mode orthogonal fluxgate operating principle, the differences in responsivity and noise have been explained based on magnetization mechanisms involved in the core.