Vector measurements using a pulsed, optically pumped atomic magnetometer

Patent · Tue Dec 12 00:00:00 EST 2023

OSTI ID:2293981

Schwindt, Peter; Iivanainen, Joonas; Carter, Tony Ray; Borna, Amir

An atomic magnetometer, and a method for using same is disclosed. The method for measuring an ambient magnetic field uses an atomic magnetometer that has a probe light beam with a probe axis that probes a polarization vector of an atomic population confined within a vapor cell. The method employs one or more measurement cycles. In each measurement cycle, the polarization vector is prepared in an initial state via an optical pumping pulse. The vapor cell is then subjected to the ambient magnetic field, which results in rotation of the polarization vector by Larmor precession. Within the measurement cycle, at a point in time after the polarization vector has been prepared in the initial state, the ambient magnetic field rotates the direction of the polarization vector, and at least one measurement is made of a projection of the Larmor-rotated polarization vector onto the probe axis during or after application of a magnetic waveform.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• DOE Contract Number: NA0003525
• Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC (Albuquerque, NM)
• Patent Number(s): 11,841,404
• Application Number: 17/875,500
• OSTI ID: 2293981
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: 07/28/2022
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English