Effective optimization of magnetic noise for a Metglas/Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 magnetoelectric sensor array in an open environment

The magnetic equivalent noise for a 4×4 Metglas/Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 magnetoelectric (ME) sensor array unit has been optimized. Such optimization holds good for practical sensor application in open (unshielded) environments. The self-noise estimation for the array unit was about 15–16.8 pT/√Hz at f=1 Hz, as estimated by the coherence between each unit and their beam. To verify the efficiency of this optimization technique, self-noise tests were also performed in a magnetic shielding chamber and shown to be close to that of units in an open environment. After employing a noise optimization method, the 4×4 array can achieve a 27 dB common mode noise rejection and an equivalent magnetic noise floor of 8.2 pT/√Hz at f=1 Hz.

► This paper investigated the magnetoelectric sensor array in open environment.
► A coherent noise analysis was employed to predict the self-noise of each sensor unit.
► Noise floor of the array was calculated by the inverse variance weighting method.