Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM)

Vibrating sample magnetometer also known as Foner magnetometer in honor of the inventor
Simon Foner in 1955 at MIT Lincoln laboratory. Vibrating sample magnetometer is used for
comparison of magnetic moment and magnetic fields. This device works by the principle that
whenever a freely suspended magnet in a uniform magnetic field is disturbed from it is
equilibrium position, it stands vibrating about the mean position. So it’s purpose is to measure
the magnetic moment of a sample when it is vibrated for particularly to a uniform magnetizing
field.
Primary components of traditional VSM are: -
- Electromagnet
- Mechanism to vibrating the sample: a loud speaker coil is used
- Pickup coils: electronics to measure Vcoil

Working principle
 Before installing the VSM hardware ensure that:
 The sample chamber is at room temperature(T>2950k)
 The magnetic field is set to 0.
Install VSM coil set (note on the south and the north pole)
Install the proper guide tube
Finally, carefully install motor and clamp it in place,
VSM requires both the VSM module and motor module to be installed in the module bed
and simply connect the preamp to the VSM module to great limo connection and the
 motor module to the linear transport motor using the appropriate cable. Ensure that all the
mechanical connections are sound.
Once all the hardware connections have been made VSM software must be activated in
multi-view. Activation takes almost one minute.
Now the sample preparation and mounting takes place
 Sample preparation: general rules
 First avoid introducing any magnetic and particularly ferromagnetic
impurities into the sample.
 No cutting and handling samples with ferrous tools
 Clean the sample with solvents or acids when appropriate
 Sample width should be narrower than the sample holder
 Sample length should be <4m.m for best accuracy
 Sample mounting: general rules
 It needs low background signal: - the sample holder should be uniform
and non-magnetic
 It must have a durable attachment to survive large accelerations and
extreme temperature.
 Default values for amplitude and frequencies are A=2 mm and
f=40Hz
 Acceleration = A(2󠄬∏f)2 = 126 m/sec2
 standard sample holders
 4mm wide quartz paddle: best for vertical plate-like sample e.g.: GE 7031
varnish, Rubber Cement
After mounting the sample calculations are involved.
-Time period of oscillation of equipmental bar magnet (magnetic moment M) in earth
magnetic field BH is given by:
T = 2∏ √(I/MBH) I= moment of inertia of the short bar magnet
= ml2/12
M = magnetic moment
BH = horizontal component of Earth’s magnetic field
Proof: -
 = M*BH = M BH sin = M BH 
 = I ,  = torque
 = angular acceleration
 = angle
Then from the two equations we can get:
I = M BH 
Using this we can determine :
 = (M BH/I) 
We also know that  = w2 
From the above two equations for  we can determine for w
(M BH/I)  = w2 
w = √ (M BH/I) , w = angular velocity
we know that the relationship between the angular velocity and the time period
w = 2∏T => T = w/2∏
from this we can get the final formula:
T = 2∏ √(I/MBH)

Calculations involved could be the following:

1. Determination of magnetic moment of the magnet:
-the experimental magnet is put into vibration magnetometer and it’s time period T is
determined.
T = 2∏ √(I/MBH)
M = 4∏2 I/(BHT2)
2. Comparison of horizontal components of earth’s magnetic field at two places.
T = 2∏ √(I/MBH) first the magnetometer is placed at the first position and the time
T2  1/BH period of oscillation of this experimental magnet is calculated. Then
is placed some other place and the time period is again calculated giving

(BH)1/(BH)2 = T22/T12
3. Comparison of magnetic moment of two magnets of same size and mass:
T = 2∏ √(I/MBH)
M  1/T2
M1/M2 = T22/T12
4. Comparison of magnetic moments by sum and difference method:
Sum position:
M2

S N
S N
M1 T1 or TS
Net magnetic moment (since now there are two magnets: MS = M1 + M2
Net moment of inertia: IS = I1 + I2
TS =T1 = 2∏ √(IS/MSBH)
= 2∏ √ [(I1 + I2) / (M1 + M2)BH]
Frequency => Vs = (1/2∏ )√[( M1 + M2)BH /(I1 + I2)]
 Difference position:
M2

S N
N S
M1 T2 or Td

Net magnetic moment: Md = M1 - M2

Net moment of inertia: Id = I1 + I2
Td =T2 = 2∏ √(Id/MdBH)
= 2∏ √ [(I1 + I2) / (M1 - M2)BH]
Frequency => Vs = (1/2∏ )√[( M1 - M2)BH /(I1 + I2)]
And then,
TS/Td = √[( M1 - M2 )/ ( M1 + M2 )]
 M1/M2 = (Td2+TS2)/(Td2-TS2)
= (VS2+Vd2)/(VS2-Vd2)
5. To find the ratio of magnetic field:
*suppose it is required to find the ratio B/B H where B is the field created by the magnet
and BH is the horizontal component of earth’s magnetic field.
- a primary magnet is made first to oscillate in earth’s magnetic field and it’s time period of
oscillation T is noted.
T = 2∏ √(I/MBH)
V = ( 1/2∏ )√( MBH / I)
now a secondary magnet placed near the primary magnet, so primary magnet oscillates in a new
field with B and BH and now time period is noted.
T’ = 2∏ √[I/M(B+BH)]
V’ = ( 1/2∏ )√[ M(B+BH) / I]
And then,
B/BH = (V’/V)2 - 1