Pulsed vector atomic magnetometer using an alternating fast-rotating field
Abstract We introduce a vector atomic magnetometer that employs a fast-rotating magnetic field applied to a pulsed 87Rb 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 gradio...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56668-2 |
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| author | Tao Wang Wonjae Lee Mark Limes Thomas Kornack Elizabeth Foley Michael Romalis |
| author_facet | Tao Wang Wonjae Lee Mark Limes Thomas Kornack Elizabeth Foley Michael Romalis |
| author_sort | Tao Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract We introduce a vector atomic magnetometer that employs a fast-rotating magnetic field applied to a pulsed 87Rb 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 $${{{\rm{fT}}}}/\sqrt{{{{\rm{Hz}}}}}$$ fT / Hz (0.7 parts per billion) and angular resolutions of 6 $${{{\rm{nrad}}}}/\sqrt{{{{\rm{Hz}}}}}$$ nrad / Hz 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ee23ddb685ea486e8c91649c3ba2a6ee |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-ee23ddb685ea486e8c91649c3ba2a6ee2025-02-09T12:44:21ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-02-011611910.1038/s41467-025-56668-2Pulsed vector atomic magnetometer using an alternating fast-rotating fieldTao Wang0Wonjae Lee1Mark Limes2Thomas Kornack3Elizabeth Foley4Michael Romalis5Department of Physics, Princeton UniversityDepartment of Physics, Princeton UniversityTwinleaf LLC, 300 Deer Creek Dr.Twinleaf LLC, 300 Deer Creek Dr.Twinleaf LLC, 300 Deer Creek Dr.Department of Physics, Princeton UniversityAbstract We introduce a vector atomic magnetometer that employs a fast-rotating magnetic field applied to a pulsed 87Rb 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 $${{{\rm{fT}}}}/\sqrt{{{{\rm{Hz}}}}}$$ fT / Hz (0.7 parts per billion) and angular resolutions of 6 $${{{\rm{nrad}}}}/\sqrt{{{{\rm{Hz}}}}}$$ nrad / Hz 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.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56668-2 |
| spellingShingle | Tao Wang Wonjae Lee Mark Limes Thomas Kornack Elizabeth Foley Michael Romalis Pulsed vector atomic magnetometer using an alternating fast-rotating field Nature Communications |
| title | Pulsed vector atomic magnetometer using an alternating fast-rotating field |
| title_full | Pulsed vector atomic magnetometer using an alternating fast-rotating field |
| title_fullStr | Pulsed vector atomic magnetometer using an alternating fast-rotating field |
| title_full_unstemmed | Pulsed vector atomic magnetometer using an alternating fast-rotating field |
| title_short | Pulsed vector atomic magnetometer using an alternating fast-rotating field |
| title_sort | pulsed vector atomic magnetometer using an alternating fast rotating field |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56668-2 |
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