Sensitive magnetometry in challenging environments

Fu, Kai-Mei C.; Iwata, Geoffrey Z.; Wickenbrock, Arne; Budker, Dmitry

doi:10.1116/5.0025186

Cited by 81 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 263 publications

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“…Highly resolving measurements of weak signals in the Earth's magnetic field are very important for applications that involve measurement of faint magnetic-field signals, such as geophysical exploration [1][2][3][4], bio-magnetic field detection in an unshielded geomagnetic environment [5,6], and ultralow-field nuclear magnetic resonance [7,8]. One way to measure the small amplitude signals within the Earth's magnetic field is using optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) [9], which are based on detecting the Zeeman shifts of the atomic energy levels, such as those of the alkali ground states [10][11][12][13][14][15] or the He 4 metastable state [16][17][18][19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Frequency Response of Optically Pumped Magnetometer with Nonlinear Zeeman Effect

Zhang

Chen

et al. 2020

Applied Sciences

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Optically pumped alkali atomic magnetometers based on measuring the Zeeman shifts of the atomic energy levels are widely used in many applications because of their low noise and cryogen-free operation. When alkali atomic magnetometers are operated in an unshielded geomagnetic environment, the nonlinear Zeeman effect may become non-negligible at high latitude and the Zeeman shifts are thus not linear to the strength of the magnetic field. The nonlinear Zeeman effect causes broadening and partial splitting of the magnetic resonant levels, and thus degrades the sensitivity of the alkali atomic magnetometers and causes heading error. In this work, we find that the nonlinear Zeeman effect also influences the frequency response of the alkali atomic magnetometer. We develop a model to quantitatively depict the frequency response of the alkali atomic magnetometer when the nonlinear Zeeman effect is non-negligible and verify the results experimentally in an amplitude-modulated Bell–Bloom cesium magnetometer. The proposed model provides general guidance on analyzing the frequency response of the alkali atomic magnetometer operating in the Earth’s magnetic field. Full and precise knowledge of the frequency response of the atomic magnetometer is important for the optimization of feedback control systems such as the closed-loop magnetometers and the active magnetic field stabilization with magnetometers. This work is thus important for the application of alkali atomic magnetometers in an unshielded geomagnetic environment.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Frequency Response of Optically Pumped Magnetometer with Nonlinear Zeeman Effect

Zhang

Chen

et al. 2020

Applied Sciences

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“…This would simplify the access to this technology. Furthermore, the research in the field of OPM is seeing a clear shift towards more robust sensors, which can be used in a variety of environments [42]. The bandwidth of OPM can also be improved significantly, which would allow the system to be used with AC currents of a wide frequency range [43].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Compared to a DMM the range of operation is limited since the relative performance degrades due to gradients and non-linearities. However, the continued progress and miniaturization of OPM should significantly mitigate this problem [40,42].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optical-Magnetometry-Based Current Source

et al. 2021

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We present a current monitoring system based on optical magnetometry, which is able to discriminate true current variations from environmental effects at room temperature. The system consists of a dedicated thermally stable magnetic field confining coil and an array of four optically pumped magnetometers arranged in a two-dimensional gradiometer configuration. These magnetometers monitor magnetic field variations inside the coil, which correlate to the variations of the driving current of the coil. The system uses a digital signal-processing unit to extract and record in real time the magnetic field values measured by the magnetometers, which allows a real time monitoring of the current. The system's coil, which is made out of printed circuit boards, can easily be changed to adapt the current-to-field conversion. Thus, we can expand the applicability of this system to a wide range of currents. By using this system to actively feedback control a current source we stabilized a current of 20 mA on a level better than 5 × 10 −9 .

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“…Atomic magnetometers [ 18 , 130 , 133 , 134 , 135 , 136 , 137 , 138 , 139 ] consist of a vapor of alkali atoms (usually K, Rb, or Cs) enclosed in a glass cell, generally heated to about 400 K. When a laser beam passes through the vapor cell, the spins of the atoms’ unpaired electrons align in the same direction. If a magnetic field is present, the electrons precess, which leads to a polarization or amplitude change in the transmitted light.…”

Section: Emerging Magnetometersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Precision Magnetometers for Aerospace Applications: A Review

Bennett

Vyhnalek

Greenall

et al. 2021

Sensors

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Aerospace technologies are crucial for modern civilization; space-based infrastructure underpins weather forecasting, communications, terrestrial navigation and logistics, planetary observations, solar monitoring, and other indispensable capabilities. Extraplanetary exploration—including orbital surveys and (more recently) roving, flying, or submersible unmanned vehicles—is also a key scientific and technological frontier, believed by many to be paramount to the long-term survival and prosperity of humanity. All of these aerospace applications require reliable control of the craft and the ability to record high-precision measurements of physical quantities. Magnetometers deliver on both of these aspects and have been vital to the success of numerous missions. In this review paper, we provide an introduction to the relevant instruments and their applications. We consider past and present magnetometers, their proven aerospace applications, and emerging uses. We then look to the future, reviewing recent progress in magnetometer technology. We particularly focus on magnetometers that use optical readout, including atomic magnetometers, magnetometers based on quantum defects in diamond, and optomechanical magnetometers. These optical magnetometers offer a combination of field sensitivity, size, weight, and power consumption that allows them to reach performance regimes that are inaccessible with existing techniques. This promises to enable new applications in areas ranging from unmanned vehicles to navigation and exploration.

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Sensitive magnetometry in challenging environments

Cited by 81 publications

References 263 publications

Frequency Response of Optically Pumped Magnetometer with Nonlinear Zeeman Effect

Frequency Response of Optically Pumped Magnetometer with Nonlinear Zeeman Effect

Optical-Magnetometry-Based Current Source

Precision Magnetometers for Aerospace Applications: A Review

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