GRADIENT MAGNETOMETER AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING AN INDIVIDUAL COMPONENT OF A GRADIENT TENSOR OF A MAGNETIC FIELD

摘要

A gradient magnetometer comprises an arrangement of a plurality of sensors (1), wherein each sensor (1) comprises a straight bar (2) which, as seen in the longitudinal direction (x) thereof, is fixed in a start region (3) and in an end region (4) and which can freely vibrate therebetween, with each sensor (1) furthermore comprising at least one conduction means (5) arranged on the bar (2) and connected therewith in order to enable a current flow in the form of moving charge carriers between the start region (3) and the end region (4), wherein an AC current can be applied to the at least one conduction means (5) in order to excite a vibration mode of the bar (2), with use being made of the Lorentz force (FL), when the bar (2) is situated in a magnetic field, wherein at least two sensors (1) are mechanically coupled to one another in order to force the same vibration frequency if a vibration of the bars (2) of these at least two sensors (1) is excited. Provision is made for at least one readout means to be provided for each sensor (1) in order to determine an amplitude (Aa, Az) of the vibrations of the bar (2) of the respective sensor (1).