KND Prasad Magnetic methods 20.10.

15

Proton precession magnetometer (PPM)

Principle:

Whenever there is some polarising field around a sample of water/kerosene/alcohol

in a polarising coil an audio frequency signal persist (continues to exist) which is
directly proportional to ambient magnetic field. PPM measure the Total field where
as Fluxgate magnetometer measures vertical, horizontal and total fields.

Q: Why we use proton rich liquid (for example water) in sensor?

An: The chemical formula for water is 𝐻2 𝑂. Water contains 2 hydrogen atoms (which
are basically protons) and one oxygen atom. These 2 hydrogen atoms (protons)
have magnetic moment where as oxygen has no magnetic moment. So, water is
considered as diamagnetic in which their magnetic axes are arranged either in
parallel or anti-parallel to the earth’s magnetic field. The number of protons aligning
parallel to magnetic field, F is always greater than the number of protons in which
their magnetic axes are aligned anti-parallel to the earth’s magnetic field.

Working:

When some amperes of direct current is applied to the sensor as external field, the
magnetic pole in which their magnetic axes are anti parallel to the earth’s magnetic
field(F) will be aligned in parallel to F. Complete realignment takes place some times.
𝑡
(− )
𝑀𝑡 = 𝑀𝑎 (1 − 𝑒 𝑇1 )

Where, 𝑀𝑡 = resultant magnetic moment at time t

𝑀𝑎 = final saturation of magnetic moment

𝑇1 = spin-lattice thermal relaxation time of liquid

Note: 𝑇1 for water = 3 sec, 𝑇1 for distilled water = 5 to 6 sec

When that external field is removed, the protons will precess themselves like
gyroscope about the earth’s field (F) and will regain the original position. The
frequency with which the protons turn to their original orientation is called larmour
precessional frequency and is given by
𝛾𝑝
𝑓= 𝐹
2𝜋
Where, 𝛾𝑝 = gyrometric ratio = 2.675e4

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KND Prasad Magnetic methods 20.10.15

The precession signal lasts for several seconds with its amplitude decaying with time
exponentially. This induces an electric potential of the same larmour frequency in
the coil. The amplitude of the induced voltage also obeys an exponential law. The
amplitude 𝑉𝑡 at any time 𝑡 after cutting off the current is given by
𝑡
(− )
𝑉𝑡 = 𝑉0 𝑒 2𝑇

Where, 𝑉𝑜 = initial maximum amplitude

𝑇2 = traverse relaxation time

Note: 𝑇1 >𝑇2

If the frequency (𝑓 ) of the induced voltage id determined accurately, we can easily

calculate F. F in gammas is 23.482 times the precession frequency.