CURRENT SENSING USING BISMUTH RARE-EARTH IRON-GARNET FILMS

Ferrimagnetic iron garnet films are investigated as current-sensing el ements. The Faraday effect within the films permits measurement of the magnetic field or current by a simple polarimetric technique. Polariz ed diffraction patterns from the films have been observed that arise f rom the presence of magnetic domains in the films. A physical model fo r the diffraction is discussed, and results from a mathematical analys is are in good agreement with the experimental observations. A method of current sensing that uses this polarized diffraction is demonstrate d.