UNIQUE DETERMINATION OF CONDUCTIVITY, SUSCEPTIBILITY, SIZE, AND DEPTH IN MULTIFREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC EXPLORATION

Abstract

The response of a conductive, magnetic sphere in a uniform, alternating magnetic field is a function of the conductivity, permeability, and radius of the sphere and of the frequency of the alternations. Over one range of frequencies, eddy‐current density in any given sphere and secondary magnetic fields of the sphere are relatively constant and high. Over a much lower range of frequencies eddy currents are negligible, but the secondary magnetic fields may be of large constant amplitude but of polarity reversed to that of the higher frequency range. At some intermediate frequency the secondary magnetic fields will be entirely quadrature with respect to the inducing field. Utilization of this peculiar frequency dependence and of the geometry of the secondary magnetic fields permits unique determination of the conductivity, permeability, radius, and depth to the center of a buried sphere. The procedure for obtaining these variables is described in this article. As an added feature, it is shown that by completing a gravity survey as well as an electromagnetic survey over a dense, magnetic, conductive spherical ore body, it is possible to determine the above variables, plus density, uniquely. Precise identification of the material of the sphere is seen as a possible result of the application of this technique.