Modeling and detection of quasi-static nanotesla magnetic field variations using magnetoelectric laminate sensors

Laminated composites of magnetostrictive and piezoelectric layers have been developed for their magnetoelectric (ME) product tensor properties. In spite of the considerable progress in materials aspects, little attention has been given to ME laminate incorporation into a detection technology. Here, we present a ME technology including the laminate equivalent model, detection circuitry consideration and noise mitigation for ME laminate sensors operated at quasi-static (<= 10 Hz) frequencies. We then constructed a passive magnetic field prototype sensor unit and detected a 2.6 nanotesla magnetic signal at 1 Hz frequency.