MEMS miniaturized low-noise magnetic field sensor for the observation of sub-millihertz magnetic fluctuations in space exploration

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to show that, using magnetic field modulation with a MEMS resonator, it is possible to reduce the noise floor of a commercial Tunneling Magnetic Resistance by one order of magnitude, in the ultra-low frequency range. Low noise at this frequency range is a strong requirement in planetary or space exploration missions like LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna), where the observed gravitational waves will be in the 0.1 mHz to 0.1 Hz range. It will be shown that the noise spectral amplitude after demodulation from 0.1 mHz to 100 mHz is well below the 100 nT/√ Hz requirement for the future space-borne gravitational wave detector LISA – that we take as reference – being at 20 nT/√ Hz at 0.1 mHz, and reaching an average 1.5 nT∕√ Hz at higher frequencies, from 100 mHz to 1 Hz.