Optical sensing of magnetic fields using magnetically sensitive materials

A method for measuring a magnetic field of an electromagnetic component comprising:

• instrumenting one or more portions of a component that generates a magnetic field when energized by placing an optical fiber in electromagnetic communication with one or more portions of said component generating a magnetic field, the optical fiber being coated with a material that has optical properties that change with the magnitude of a magnetic field incident on said material, wherein said material that has optical properties comprises a correlated electron based oxide having a magnetic field dependent electronic conductivity;
• energizing the component that generates a magnetic field;
• interrogating the optical fiber when the component that generates a magnetic field is energized, wherein interrogating the optical fiber comprises detecting changes in the light traveling through the optical fiber;
• determining changes in the magnetic field based on the detected changes in the light traveling through the optical fiber;
• and
• identifying changes in the magnetic field of the component that generates a magnetic field;
• wherein the changes in the magnetic field of the component that generates a magnetic field alter the optical properties of the optical fiber as a result of the coating of the optical fiber.

A method for measuring a magnetic field of an electromagnetic component comprising:

• instrumenting one or more portions of a component that generates a magnetic field when energized by placing an optical fiber in electromagnetic communication with one or more portions of said component generating a magnetic field, the optical fiber terminating with a cap comprising a material that has optical properties that change with the magnitude of a magnetic field incident on said material, wherein the material exhibits magnetic field dependent electronic conductivity;
• energizing the component that generates a magnetic field;
• interrogating the optical fiber when the component that generates a magnetic field is energized, wherein interrogating the optical fiber comprises detecting changes in the light traveling through the optical fiber;
• determining changes in the magnetic field based on the detected changes in the light traveling through the optical fiber;
• and
• identifying changes in the magnetic field of the component that generates a magnetic field;
• wherein the changes in the magnetic field of the component that generates a magnetic field alter the optical properties of the optical fiber as a result of the coating of the optical fiber.

A method of measuring a magnetic field of an electromagnetic component:

• instrumenting one or more portions of an electromagnetic component by placing an optical fiber in electromagnetic communication with the one or more portions of said electromagnetic component, the optical fiber comprising a fiber in optical communication with a magnetically sensitive material selected from the group consisting of perovskites, (La,Sr)MnO3, (La,Sr)(Co,Fe)O3, LaTiO3, and combinations thereof:
• energizing the electromagnetic component;
• interrogating the optical fiber when the electromagnetic component is energized by detecting changes in intensity, phase, and/or polarization of Rayleigh backscattering in the optical fiber;
• determining changes in the magnetic field based on the detected changes in the intensity, phase, and/or polarization of Rayleigh backscattering;
• wherein the changes in the magnetic field of the electromagnetic component alter the optical properties of the magnetically sensitive material in contact with the optical fiber;
• creating a continuous, spatially resolved distribution of the magnetic field in the instrumented portions of the electromagnetic component.