Electron paramagnetic resonance magnetic field sensors for particle accelerators

We report on four electron paramagnetic resonance sensors for dynamic magnetic field measurements at 36 mT, 100 mT, 360 mT, and 710 mT. The sensors are based on grounded co-planar microwave resonators operating at about 1 GHz and 3 GHz, realized using printed circuit board technology, and on single-chip integrated microwave oscillators operating at about 10 GHz and 20 GHz, realized using complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor technology. The sensors are designed to mark precisely the moment when a time-dependent magnetic field attains a specific value. The trigger from the sensor can be used to preset the output of real-time magnetic field measurement systems, called “B-trains,” which are in operation at several large synchrotron installations, including five of the CERN’s particle accelerators. We discuss in detail the performance achieved, in particular, the magnetic field resolution that is in the range of 0.1 nT/Hz$^{1/2}$–6 nT/Hz$^{1/2}$. The effects of material anisotropy and temperature are also discussed. Finally, we present a detailed characterization of the sensors with field ramps as fast as 5 T/s and field gradients as strong as 12 T/m.