We present a simulation study which pursues the objective to find probe geometries for a MR-based eddy current (EC) probe (MR magneto resistance, e.g., GMR giant magneto resistance, TMR tunnel magneto resistance). MR sensor technology exhibits two significant advantages compared with conventional coil systems. First, MR sensors are relatively frequency-independent within common EC-frequency ranges which enable us to operate them in hidden defects testing problems. Secondly, MR technology is well suited for miniaturization helping us to design small elements in the order of below 100 μm. In this paper simulation and experimental results obtained with the probes for low frequency application, i.e. for hidden defects detection are discussed. Our simulations are based on two different approaches for a better validation, a commercial finite element method software (Opera, Vectorfields) and the semi-analytical software CIVA. We investigated both coil arrangement in order to excite sufficient high eddy currents inside the test samples and position of MR-elements at the array chip. In doing so the MR sensors were positioned that they are not exposed to excitation fields. In addition, different coil geometries, in particular coil length, e.g. l = 20 mm, were analyzed in order to generate a consistent eddy current distribution beneath an array of up to 32 MR-elements. To prove obtained probe principles we built GMR-EC-probes. The first test measurements are in good agreement with the simulations performed by BAM and CEA. On basis of our findings the IMAGIC consortium developed new MR-EC-probes using integrated ASIC technology.
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