Nonlinear magnetoimpedance effect in soft magnetic amorphous wires extracted from melt

The nonlinear mode of the magnetoimpedance in Co-based amorphous wires extracted from the melt is studied. The frequency spectrum of a voltage induced in a pick-up coil wound around the wire is analyzed as a function of an ac current amplitude and a longitudinal dc magnetic field. It is observed that at sufficiently high ac current amplitudes even harmonics dominate in the pick-up voltage spectrum. A high sensitivity of even harmonics to the dc magnetic field is demonstrated. The studied nonlinear magnetoimpedance is promising for the design of weak magnetic field sensors.