A femtotesla equivalent magnetic noise magnetoelectric sensor

Lizhi Hu; Jie Jiao; Ze Fang; Shichao Hao; Shuhao Wang; Lisha Liu; Yaojin Wang

doi:10.59717/j.xinn-mater.2026.100205

The Innovation Materials > 2026 Vol. 4 > No. 2 > 100205

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A femtotesla equivalent magnetic noise magnetoelectric sensor

1.
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
2.
State Key Laboratory of Functional Crystals and Devices, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201899, China
3.
These authors contributed equally

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Corresponding author: yjwang@njust.edu.cn
Received Date: September 04, 2025

Accepted Date: February 07, 2026

Published Online: February 07, 2026

The Innovation Materials 4(2), https://doi.org/10.59717/j.xinn-mater.2026.100205 | Cite this article

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PUBLIC SUMMARY
1. We developed a magnetoelectric sensor achieving the equivalent magnetic noise of 927.8 fT/Hz^1/2 at 1 Hz.
  
  A multi-parameter synergistic optimization is proposed to guide the sensor design.
  
  The multi-longitudinal-transverse mode laminates is utilized to significantly suppress the intrinsic noise.

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT

The ability to detect weak magnetic fields at femtotesla (fT) levels remains a critical obstacle for advancing fields like biomedicine and cross-medium communication. Existing solutions have faced fundamental limitations in operation environments, power efficiency, and sensitivity. Magnetoelectric (ME) sensors offer promising room-temperature alternatives but suffer from intrinsic material noise and extrinsic circuit limitations. Here, we propose a multi-parameter synergistic optimization strategy bridging material design and circuit integration, and establish a theoretical framework for laminated ME composites analysis. Integrated theoretical modeling and experimental validation identify material noise and amplifier noise as dominant noise sources. We go beyond the constraints of material noise and develop multi-longitudinal-transverse (MLT) mode laminates, featuring longitudinally magnetized magnetostrictive layers and transversely polarized piezoelectric fibers connected electrically in series. Compared to LT-mode (longitudinal-transverse) laminates, this design shifts the effective impedance to a reduced equivalent capacitance and increased DC (Direct Current) resistance regime, enabling direct tuning of dielectric loss noise. A single MLT laminates comprising seven LT mode units in a series configuration, achieved an equivalent magnetic noise of 3.84 pT/Hz^1/2 at 1 Hz. Multiple MLT laminates of parallel array configurations resulted in a threefold reduction in equivalent magnetic noise compared to the series array configuration. Further, by implementing eight MLT units of parallel array configurations, we achieved a record equivalent magnetic noise of 927.8 fT/Hz^1/2 at 1 Hz—surpassing noise performance of fluxgates and approaching SQUID sensitivity without cryogenic requirements.
- Magnetoelectric sensor /
- Equivalent magnetic noise /
- Multi-Longitudinal-Transverse laminates /
- Array configuration /
- Femtotesla

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Hu L., Jiao J., Fang Z., et al. (2026). A femtotesla equivalent magnetic noise magnetoelectric sensor. The Innovation Materials 4:100205. https://doi.org/10.59717/j.xinn-mater.2026.100205

Hu L., Jiao J., Fang Z., et al. (2026). A femtotesla equivalent magnetic noise magnetoelectric sensor. The Innovation Materials 4:100205. https://doi.org/10.59717/j.xinn-mater.2026.100205

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A femtotesla equivalent magnetic noise magnetoelectric sensor

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

PUBLIC SUMMARY

ABSTRACT