An automated superconducting magnetometer and demagnetizing system

Abstract

Summary. A novel 3-axis superconducting magnetometer has been constructed using just one SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) sensor. The magnetometer has been placed in a large mu-metal shield together with a non-magnetic oven and 3-axis af demagnetizer. Once a sample is entered into the system a microprocessor controller executes a predetermined measuring and demagnetizing/remagnetizing sequence. The system was originally designed automatically to determine field magnitude values from ceramics and igneous rocks but has proved itself to be a useful general purpose palaeomagnetic instrument.