Indian scientists have developed an indigenous Overhauser Magnetometer, one of the most accurate magnetometers extensively used by all magnetic observatories around the world.
What are Overhauser Magnetometers?
- A magnetometer is a scientific instrument used to measure the strength and direction of the magnetic field.
- OVH magnetometers are known for their higher accuracy, higher sensitivity, and efficient power consumption.
- They find applications in all magnetic observatories worldwide as well as in international space programs.
- It has so far been imported for such purposes in India.
Feats achieved
- The performance of this indigenously made magnetometer is at par with a commercial OVH sensor that is currently installed at the magnetic observatories of IIG.
- The Indian OVH sensor reproduced the geomagnetic diurnal variations accurately and precisely.
- It showed the signatures of various space weather events such as geomagnetic storms, sudden impulses, etc.
- It would also be of potential help to develop a sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) instrument.
Benefits of OVH magnetometers
- OVH magnetometers reduce the cost of sampling and sensing experiments essential for geomagnetic sampling.
- It can reduce India’s dependence on commercial OVH magnetometers for performing geomagnetic field measurements.
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