Pulsed vector atomic magnetometer using an alternating fast-rotating field.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 39910092.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-025-56668-2 and PMC identifier 11799169.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
We introduce a vector atomic magnetometer that employs a fast-rotating magnetic field applied to a pulsed <sup>87</sup>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 <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mi>fT</mi> <mo>/</mo> <msqrt><mrow><mi>Hz</mi></mrow> </msqrt> </math> (0.7 parts per billion) and angular resolutions of 6 <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mi>nrad</mi> <mo>/</mo> <msqrt><mrow><mi>Hz</mi></mrow> </msqrt> </math> at a 50 μT 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.