Precision eddy current sensor for nondestructive evaluation of structures

An eddy current nondestructive evaluation device comprising:

• a translating body;
• a permanent magnet coupled with the translating body;
• a pickup coil coupled with the translating body;
• and
• an integrator circuit electrically coupled with the pickup coil that integrates a voltage from the pickup coil to produce integrated voltage data.

A method comprising:

• moving one or more permanent magnets and one or more pickup coils at a rate of movement near a surface of a sample;
• integrating one or more voltage signals from the one or more pickup coils to produce integrated voltage data;
• and
• determining at least one of a depth, a size, and a shape of a defect in the sample based at least on the integrated voltage data and the rate of movement.