NiFe2O4 Ferrofluid to Detect Magnetic Field Using Microfiber Interferometry

Magnetic field sensor operating for high magnetic fields plays a critical role in non-invasive medical diagnostic applications such as magnetic resonance imaging. Considering this fact, a microfiber-based magnetometer functioning for a large dynamic range of magnetic field actuated via NiFe2O4 ferrite fluid is presented and proposed. The relevant technical aspects of the present research and current limitations also have been reviewed. NiFe2O4 based nanoparticles with an average estimated particle size (using Debye-Scherrer's formula) of 37 nm have been synthesized by sol-gel method. Various characteristic techniques have been exercised to investigate their structural (morphological), optical, and magnetic properties. The proposed sensing probe optimized for a high range of applied magnetic field intensity up to similar to 0.6 T has been fabricated using only 2% of the volume concentration of ferrite fluids nanoparticles surrounding the interferometer. The reported sensor exhibits a maximum sensitivity of 18 pm/mT due to alterations in the interference dip wavelength. The operational range of the proposed sensing scheme can be enhanced substantially using a better current source.

Automated summary

This study presents a microfiber-based magnetometer that operates in high magnetic fields and is suitable for non-invasive medical diagnostics. The magnetometer utilizes NiFe2O4 ferrite fluid nanoparticles and demonstrates high sensitivity and a large operational range. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using various techniques.