Optimization Design and Characterization of Helmholtz Coils

Abstract

Earth's magnetic field data from ground-based magnetometer observatories are important for studies related to geomagnetic storm. The absence of earth's magnetic field data observatories results in a complex mysterious phenomena of the geomagnetic storm and remains as unexplained one. Magnetometer is used to monitor and record the earth's magnetic field data at the geomagnetic observatory. It is also used to measure the three components of the field such as the horizontal component (H), the declination component (D), and the downward component (Z). Fluxgate magnetometer is contributing to the ongoing extensive research work dedicated to explanation of some of the complex phenomena related to the geomagnetic storm and solar terrestrial system. In order to examine the magnetic field sensing of a fluxgate sensor, a large area with uniform magnetic field is required. The advantage of having a large area is that it will allow easy access of the sensor during measurement. A laboratory design and characterization of Helmholtz coils is a better choice when Helmholtz coil with larger areas that are available in the market are very expensive. This paper presents the optimization design of Helmholtz coils to create magnetic fields, which could be used to null the earth's magnetic field, calibrate magnetic sensors, and used for other experiments in which a controllable amount of uniform magnetic field is required.