Indian scientists have developed an indigenous Overhauser Magnetometer, one of the most accurate magnetometers extensively used by all magnetic observatories around the world.

What are Overhauser Magnetometers?

• A magnetometer is a scientific instrument used to measure the strength and direction of the magnetic field.
• OVH magnetometers are known for their higher accuracy, higher sensitivity, and efficient power consumption.
• They find applications in all magnetic observatories worldwide as well as in international space programs.
• It has so far been imported for such purposes in India.

Feats achieved

• The performance of this indigenously made magnetometer is at par with a commercial OVH sensor that is currently installed at the magnetic observatories of IIG.
• The Indian OVH sensor reproduced the geomagnetic diurnal variations accurately and precisely.
• It showed the signatures of various space weather events such as geomagnetic storms, sudden impulses, etc.
• It would also be of potential help to develop a sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) instrument.

Benefits of OVH magnetometers

• OVH magnetometers reduce the cost of sampling and sensing experiments essential for geomagnetic sampling.
• It can reduce India’s dependence on commercial OVH magnetometers for performing geomagnetic field measurements.

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