Pulsed Vector Atomic Magnetometer Using an Alternating Fast-Rotating Field
arXiv:2304.00214 · doi:10.1038/s41467-025-56668-2
Abstract
We introduce a vector atomic magnetometer that employs a fast-rotating magnetic field applied to a pulsed Rb scalar atomic magnetometer. This approach enables simultaneous measurements of the total magnetic field and its two polar angles relative to the rotation plane. Operating in gradiometer mode, the magnetometer achieves a total field gradient sensitivity of 35 (0.7 parts per billion) and angular resolutions of 6 at a 50 T Earth field strength. The noise spectra remain flat down to 1 Hz and 0.1 Hz, respectively. Here we show that this method overcomes several metrological challenges commonly faced by vector magnetometers and gradiometers. We propose a unique peak-altering modulation technique to mitigate systematic effects, including a newly identified dynamic heading error. Additionally, we establish the fundamental sensitivity limits of the sensor, demonstrating that its vector sensitivity approaches scalar sensitivity while preserving the inherent accuracy and calibration benefits of scalar sensors. This high-dynamic-range, ultrahigh-resolution magnetometer offers exceptional versatility for diverse applications.
14 pages
References in corpus (15)
- Ultra-high sensitivity magnetic field and magnetization measurements with an atomic magnetometer
- Spin-exchange relaxation free magnetometry with Cs vapor
- Sub-femtotesla scalar atomic magnetometer using multipass cells
- Portable magnetometry for detection of biomagnetism in ambient environments
- All-Optical Vector Atomic Magnetometer
- An ultra-sensitive and wideband magnetometer based on a superconducting quantum interference device
- Measurements of vector magnetic field using multiple electromagnetically induced transparency resonances in Rb vapor
- Femtotesla direct magnetic gradiometer using a single multipass cell
- Nonlinear magneto-optical rotation with modulated light in tilted magnetic fields
- Femtotesla nearly quantum-noise-limited pulsed gradiometer at Earth-scale fields
- Heading errors in all-optical alkali-vapor magnetometers in geomagnetic fields
- A highly stable atomic vector magnetometer based on free spin precession
- Light-induced polarization effects in atoms with partially resolved hyperfine structure and applications to absorption, fluorescence, and nonlinear magneto-optical rotation
- Self-calibrating vector atomic magnetometry through microwave polarization reconstruction
- A Voigt effect based 3D vector magnetometer