Geomagnetic Absolute Observation by applied Vector Proton Method
Tetsuo TOKUMOTO
Abstract
A new method of absolute observation of three geomagnetic field components by a device composed of a geomagnetic total force magnetometer combined with three orthogonal coils to produce a compensating magnetic field was investigated. A vector proton method is an excellentmethod to measure vectorcomponents ofgeomagnetic fields, however it cannot serve as a magnetic absolute observation because of the inclination of the compensating coiland its fluctuation with time. In this study, a new method based on the vector proton method was considered. Absolute magnetic fields and orientation of compensating coils are calculated from measured values of magnetic total forces for some patterns of artificial magnetic fields added by the three orthogonal compensating coils to each component.
Three components of geomagnetic absolute fields could be measured by the new method with high precision comparable to the current magnetometer in use assuming that resolution and stability o fthe geomagnetic total force magnetometer and electric current through the coils are adequate.
Received 27 August 2007; received in revised form 2 November 2007; accepted 8 November 2007
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