Towards Practical Self-calibrating Vector Magnetometry in an Atomic Vapor Cell
Abstract
We propose to investigate a self-calibrated atomic vector magnetometer based on atoms in a hot-vapor cell. The vector measurement will be based upon the fundamental polarization structure of an applied microwave field. We are motivated by the many applications requiring sensing of the vector magnetic field such as magnetic navigation, magnetic anomaly detection, and geological surveillance. Our proposed sensor is based on a recent demonstration of a new method for converting a naturally scalar atomic magnetometer into a vector magnetometer by exploiting polarization dependence of microwave hyperfine transitions in the 87Rb atoms. The initial proof-of-concept demonstration was done with a few trapped atoms, but sensitivities were system-limited. The objective of this proposal is to move to the practical platform of an atomic vapor cell that allows for much better accuracy and sensitivities, and also to add the ability to tune and control the microwave polarization, which forms the vector magnetometry reference. Our magnetometer will operate near room temperature, provide absolute measurements, and vector information. An important unique feature of this sensor is that we hypothesize it will be self-calibrating, i.e. it will operate without relying on external calibration fields and can be calibrated in situ.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 28, 2019
- Source ID
- W911NF1910330
Entities
People
- Cindy A. Regal
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
- University of Colorado Boulder