Patent ID: 6111416
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: G01N,G01R,G02F

Abstract:
A magneto-optical sensor for characterizing a free-space magnetic field, said magneto-optical sensor comprising:means for generating said free-space magnetic field, said means for generating comprising a pump and an emitter, said pump comprising a pulsed laser which outputs an optical pulse to said emitter, said emitter responding thereto by outputting said free-space magnetic field;a magneto-optic crystal positionable so that the free-space magnetic field passes therethrough, thereby changing an index of refraction thereof;means for generating an optical probe signal to impinge the magneto-optic crystal simultaneous with the free-space magnetic field passing therethrough;sensing means for determining ellipticity modulation of the optical probe signal after impinging upon the magneto-optic crystal; andmeans for characterizing the free-space magnetic field by evaluating the ellipticity modulation of the optical probe signal.