Relationship Between Output of a Fluxgate Sensor and Magnetization Process of Its Core

Motivated by the need to miniaturize fluxgate sensors, we investigated the dependence of the sensitivity of fluxgate sensors on the saturation flux density and magnetostriction of an amorphous ribbon core. In addition, the relationship between the sensing properties and the magnetization process of its core was investigated with a Kerr microscope. We found that the sensitivity decreased with an increase in magnetostriction. Highly magnetostrictive amorphous ribbons exhibited maze domains that were difficult to move by applying a low magnetic field of a few hundred amperes per meter. This effect caused a decrease in the sensitivity of the sensors.