23/10/2013

Magnetometers and Gradiometers

Presenters Name
Date

Fugro 2013

www.fugro.com

www.fugro.com

Table of Contents
Introduction to Magnetometers
Types of Magnetometers
Applications
Construction
Deployment
Operation Of SeaSpy
Sealink Software
Maintenance

www.fugro.com

23/10/2013

Introduction to Magnetometers

The magnetometer is a device that measures localized distortions in the

earths magnetic field caused by the presence of ferrous material. It will only
detect iron or steel. Materials such as gold, silver, copper or bronze cannot
be detected. The primary advantage the magnetometer has over other
detection technologies is its passive design that relies on the earths natural
magnetic field as the detection medium. Because of this, detection is omnidirectional and is unaffected by other materials. Shipwrecks can be located
through layers of sedimentation or coral overgrowth as easily as if they were
not covered by anything.

www.fugro.com

Pulse Induction Sensors

Very Short Range (perhaps 2-3m)

Poor Sensitivity (around 1 nT)
Slow update rate (2 second cycle time)

Pros

Will detect any conducting metal

Cons

www.fugro.com

Magnetometers

Pros

Higher sensitivity (theoretically 0.02nT)

Faster cycle rates (Up to 10Hz)

Longer range detection

www.fugro.com

23/10/2013

Magnetometers

Cons

Large distant targets mask small local targets.

Difficult to pick out small target due to

background noise.

No sense of direction of target on single pass.

Subject to diurnal variations in the earths

magnetic field.
www.fugro.com

.the targetswhat are we looking for?

Large WW11 Sea Mine

Perhaps 500kg of ferrous material

Relatively large target
Range which gives a 1 nT deflection <31m
Range which gives a 5 nT deflection <18m
www.fugro.com

.the targetswhat are we looking for?

250kg HE Bomb

Perhaps 120kg of ferrous material

Relatively large target
Range which gives a 1 nT deflection <19.5m
Range which gives a 5 nT deflection <11.5m
www.fugro.com

23/10/2013

.the targetswhat are we looking for?

Hand Grenade

Perhaps 400g of ferrous material

very small target
At 1 nT deflection the range is only 2.9m
Range which gives a 5 nT deflection <1.7m
(Note at 4 kts you travel at 2m/sec therefore a
high update rate is desired for small munitions
detection)
www.fugro.com

Current Technology Available

Higher sensitivity magnetometer sensors

Low noise digital transmission.
Tow platforms such as the Focus that allow fixed height and accurate line
spacing.
3D software modelling tools such as Geosoft Oasis montaj.
Towed Gradiometer Platforms.

www.fugro.com

MAGNETOMETERS TYPES AND RANGES

Magnetic Field Strength (nT)
Magnetometer sensors

10-5

10-3

10-1

101

103

105

107

109

Search Coil (AC fields only !)

Flux-gate
Alkali Vapor
Nuclear Precession
SQUID
Hall Effect
MRS

Earths Field
www.fugro.com

23/10/2013

Proton Precession

www.fugro.com

Measure Precessing Protons

www.fugro.com

Proton Precession Theory

A standard proton precession magnetometer uses hydrogen atoms to

generate precession signals. Liquids such as kerosene and methanol are
used because they offer very high densities of hydrogen and are not
dangerous to handle.

A polarizing DC current is passed through a coil that is wound around the

sample. In a magnetometer this creates a high-intensity magnetic field of
over 100 Gauss.

Protons in this field are polarized to a stronger net magnetization

corresponding to the thermal equilibrium of stronger magnetic flux density.
When the auxiliary flux is released, the "polarized" protons precess to realign themselves with the "normal" magnetic flux density. The frequency of
the precession relates directly to the magnetic field strength.

www.fugro.com

23/10/2013

Overhauser Sensor Picture

www.fugro.com

Overhauser Theory

The Overhauser Effect is a nuclear method that takes advantage of a "quirk" of

physics that affects the hydrogen atom. This effect occurs when a special liquid
(containing electrons) is combined with hydrogen and then exposed to a radio
frequency (RF) magnetic field.

RF fields are ideal for this type of application because they are transparent to the
Earth's DC magnetic field and the RF frequency is well out of the bandwidth of the
precession signal (i.e. does not contribute noise to the measuring system).

The unbound electrons in the special liquid (normally a mixture of free radicals)
transfer their excited state (i.e. energy) to the hydrogen nuclei (protons). This transfer
of energy alters the spin state populations of the protons and polarizes the liquid - just
like in a proton magnetometer - but with much less power and to greater extent.

The proportionality of the precession frequency and the magnetic flux density is linear
and can be described through a simple equation.

www.fugro.com

Alkali Vapour Theory

Optically pumped magnetometers use gaseous alkali metals from the first column of
the periodic table, such as cesium and potassium. That means that the cell
containing the metal must be continuously heated to approximately 45 degrees C.

First, a glass cell containing the gaseous alkali metal is exposed (or pumped) by light
of a very specific wavelength - an effect called light polarization. The frequency shift
of light is specifically selected and circularly polarized for each element to shift
electrons from level 2 to the excited state 3.

Electrons at level 3 are not stable, and these electrons spontaneously decay to both
energy levels 1 and 2. Eventually, the level 1 is fully populated (i.e. level 2 is
depleted). When this happens, the absorption of polarizing light stops and the vapour
cell becomes more transparent.

This is when RF depolarization comes into play. RF power corresponding to the

energy difference between levels 1 and 2 is applied to the cell to move electrons from
level 1 back to level 2 (and the cell becomes opaque again). The frequency of the RF
field required to populate level 2 varies with the ambient magnetic field and is called
the Larmor frequency.

The effect of polarization and depolarization is that the light intensity becomes
modulated by the RF frequency. By detecting light modulation and measuring the
frequency, we can obtain a value of the magnetic field.
www.fugro.com

23/10/2013

Alkali Vapour Pictures

www.fugro.com

Earth Magnetic Background

www.fugro.com

Typical Gamma Readings

www.fugro.com

23/10/2013

Geometrics Magnetometers
MSD 101 Basic Engineering Course

www.fugro.com

BASIC G-880 SYSTEM

www.fugro.com

G-881 MARINE MAGNETOMETER

www.fugro.com

23/10/2013

G-881Tow Fish Components

www.fugro.com

G-881Tow Fish Components

www.fugro.com

G-881Tow Fish Components

www.fugro.com

23/10/2013

G-881Tow Cable Installation

www.fugro.com

G882 MARINE MAGNETOMETER

www.fugro.com

G882 Accessory Kit

www.fugro.com

10

23/10/2013

G882 Soft Tow Cable

www.fugro.com

www.fugro.com

G877 Geometrics Magnetometer

The G877 Proton Precession Magnetometer is a

digital device and requires that a customer or
Geometrics supplied portable laptop or desktop
computer be used for recording and display of the
data.

www.fugro.com

11

23/10/2013

Nose Tow Assembly

www.fugro.com

Geometrics Junction Unit

www.fugro.com

SeaSpy Magnetometers
MSD 101 Basic Engineering Course

www.fugro.com

12

23/10/2013

SeaSpy System Components

www.fugro.com

FSME Standard Connection

Output Data
to Logging
PC
Position Loop Back

Iowin Setup

SeaSpy Transceiver

PC

Annotation SeaSpy - Magnetometer Out

Auxiliary- SeaSpy Magnetometer

Ethernet

Position Outputs- NMEA Output

TowFish

Winch

24V DC

Run Starfix Time and Automatic Update PC clock

www.fugro.com

Towfish Connector

www.fugro.com

13

23/10/2013

SeaSpy Towfish

SeaSPY has a modular construction that allows for quick and easy connection and dis connection of all
components and parts. For normal use, the only connection you will have to think about is the main brass
tow connector. Sometimes it becomes necessary to access the internal components of the towfish

To open the towfish, remove the four brass holding screws near the nose of the
towfish, as indicated in the above figure. All of the towfish internals are fastened to a rack that is bolted to
the nose section. Once the screws have been removed, pull out the nose section to remove the internal
assembly.

www.fugro.com

SeaSpy Explorer

Transceiver

TowFish

www.fugro.com

SeaSpy Towfish Internal Structure

www.fugro.com

14

23/10/2013

SeaSpy Maintenance
A SeaSPY System is designed to withstand years of use in harsh
marine environmental conditions. If some simple procedures are
observed when deploying and storing the instrumentation, your
SeaSPY system will continue to deliver high quality performance.

www.fugro.com

SeaSpy Deployment and Storage

When connecting the main tow connector, ensure that the alignment slot is properly
inserted into the groove, and that the male connector is fully inserted.
Tighten the holding nut firmly, making sure that any air pressure inside the connector
is completely overpowered.
Use a tow speed and cable length combination that keeps the towfish submerged at
least 1m below the surface, and as far below waves and swell as possible if the water
is rough. Other than this, there is no restriction on tow speed.
Do not, under any circumstances, exceed the maximum rated operating depth of the
towfish. In some cases, permanent damage may occur to certain components (such
as the pressure sensor) if the towfishs rated depth is exceeded by even a small
amount.
Rinse the towfish with fresh water after removal from salt water. Surface corrosion of
the brass fittings and screws will only significantly take place after exposure to
atmospheric oxygen in the presence of salt water. Rinsing with fresh water will keep
the brass fittings clean and shiny.
Blow out the pressure sensor hole with compressed air after removal of the towfish
from salt or fresh water. Stagnant water in the pressure sensor hole can cause pitting
corrosion of the pressure sensor after long-term use.
Do not store the towfish in direct sunlight, and keep it away from very hot
environments. The operating and storage temperature range for a towfish is 40C to
+60C, but a secluded, sunlight area in a tropical location can easily exceed +60C.
Keeping the towfish stored in moderate temperatures will prolong the lifetime of the
seals and the internal electronics.
www.fugro.com

Calculating Towing Depth

Controlling the depth of the SeaSPY towfish during a survey is essential to obtaining
good results. The following factors will influence the depth of the towfish while towing.
1. Survey speed (slower=deeper)
2. Deployed tow cable length (longer=deeper)
3. Weight of tow cable (heavier=deeper)
4. Weight of towfish (heavier=deeper)
The above may seem obvious, but it is important to note that they are the only factors
that will affect towfish depth. Manipulation of these four variables is the only way to
regulate the depth of the towfish.

www.fugro.com

15

23/10/2013

Gradiometers
MSD 101 Basic Engineering Course

www.fugro.com

Traditional Detection Methods.

Pulse Induced Metal Detector

Towed Magnetometer

www.fugro.com

Description of a Towed Gradiometer

Two or more synchronised high sensitivity sensors
arranged in a fixed geometry array.
This array can be configured to act in a transverse,
vertical, longitudinal manner or a combination of the
above.
The gradient value is derived by comparing the field
values from the relevant sensors.

www.fugro.com

16

23/10/2013

Different Gradients
Vertical Gradient One sensor mounted above the other to enhance
detection of objects directly below.
Transverse Gradient Sensors mounted side by side. Enhances
detection to either side of the array.
Longitudinal Gradient One sensor behind the other. Enables a
long baseline between the sensors (perhaps 20m+).
Total Field Gradient A gradient derived from summation of the
above.

www.fugro.com

Advantages of using a Gradiometer

Distant large targets are ignored.
Diurnal variations are irrelevant.
It is possible to focus the direction of maximum
sensitivity.
External Noise is automatically filtered when the
gradients are calculated.
By this noise reduction the effective sensitivity is
increased.

www.fugro.com

That was the theory, in practice consider the following

Attitude of the array must remain stable.

A rigid frame must resist vibration.
As far as practical keep a fixed altitude.
Individual sensors may give slight linear offsets from one
another.
Frame gives high drag which makes deep towing tricky.

www.fugro.com

17

23/10/2013

Marine Magnetics Corporation SeaQuest Gradiometer

Platform

www.fugro.com

Development of the GSE Gradiometer

Had to be able to use readily available sensors MMC Explorer

Overhauser
Lightweight and compact.
Low vibration.
Flexible configuration - transverse or a vertical gradiometer.
By the addition of an interface bottle this system had to be able to be towed
behind a Klein 3000 digital sidescan.

www.fugro.com

Sensor Orientations for Gradient Mode

The operator carries two mobile sensors separated by a vertical distance of usually one half or one
meter perpendicular to the ground (for upper northern and southern latitudes). Typically the bottom
sensor is referenced as the total field sensor and the top sensor is referenced as the gradient sensor.
After data is collected a built-in program is used to subtract lower sensor data from the upper sensor.
This resulting positive or negative value will be the most accurate method in eliminating most
atmospheric noise. The data will be expressed in gammas or nanoTesla per meter or half meter
(dependent on the distance separating the sensors)

Gradient Advantages

Gradient Disadvantages

Automatic correction for atmospheric

disturbances

Detection limits slightly shallower than total

field mode

Both sensors carried by operator - no base

station needed

More expensive to purchase than total field

systems

www.fugro.com

18

23/10/2013

Gradiometer configurations

www.fugro.com

GSE Rentals Gradiometer

www.fugro.com

Acquisition Software

Real time scrolling display.

Logs raw sensor data as well as calculated gradient values.
Synchronisation of the Overhauser Sensors.
Flexible interfacing capabilities.

www.fugro.com

19

23/10/2013

www.fugro.com

Gradiometer display

Magnetometer Display

www.fugro.com

Some obvious things to consider when planning the

survey..

What size and type of target do you have to

detect?
What is the water depth and the seabed
topography like?
What vessel can you use? Is it magnetic
and can you deploy the system far enough
away?
Is the survey location in a difficult magnetic
environment i.e. a harbour or near a
platform?
www.fugro.com

20

23/10/2013

To Conclude

Pulse induced systems are only really effective in small areas

where range is not an issue or not desirable (canal, small
harbours). This has to be the system of choice for non ferrous
conducting targets.

Single magnetometers may be used to find large targets at

relatively good range but have difficulty in discriminating small
targets against background noise.

Gradiometers are a particularly effective tool for the detection

of small ferrous targets.

www.fugro.com

Thank You

Fugro 2013

www.fugro.com

21