Quasi-one-dimensional miniature multiferroic magnetic field sensor with high sensitivity at zero bias field

A miniature, quasi one dimensional, magnetic field sensor based on magnetoelectric coupling is presented. The magnetoelectric sensor makes use of the d31 coupling mode between a piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate tube and FeNi magnetostrictive wire. The sensors demonstrate high sensitivity, high signal-to-noise ratio, and low noise floor at zero DC magnetic bias field and at low frequency resulting in smaller, lower power consumption, and volumetric efficiency. Experiments indicate a zero bias field sensitivity of 16.5 mV/Oe at 100 Hz stemming from a magnetoelectric coefficient of 1.65 V/cm-Oe. The results are quantitatively described by a theoretical model of laminate composites.