Magnetic probe construction using thick-film technology

Abstract

Thick-film technology has been successfully adapted for the design and fabrication of magnetic probes of a new type suitable for use in the simultaneous ultrahigh vacuum and high temperature environment of a nuclear fusion device. The maximum usable temperature is expected to be around 900 °C. This new probe has a specific sensitivity (coupling area per unit volume) an order of magnitude higher than a conventional coil. The new probe in one implementation is capable of simultaneously measuring magnetic field in three orthogonal directions about a single spatial point and in two frequency ranges. Low frequency coils have a measured coupling area of 296–323 cm2, and a frequency response of about 300 kHz. High frequency coils have a design coupling area of 12–15 cm2.