Construction and applications of an atomic magnetic gradiometerbased on nonlinear magneto-optical rotation

Journal Article · Wed Jun 28 04:00:00 EDT 2006 · Review of Scientific Instruments

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2336087· OSTI ID:907905

Xu, Shoujun; Rochester, Simon M; Yashchuk, Valeriy V; Donaldson, Marcus H; Budker, Dmitry

We report on the design, characterization, and applicationsof a sensitive atomic magnetic gradiometer. The device is based onnonlinear magneto-optical rotation in alkali-metal (87Rb) vapor, and usesfrequency-modulated laser light. The magnetic field produced by a sampleis detected by measuring the frequency of a resonance in optical rotationthat arises when the modulation frequency equals twice the Larmorprecession frequency of the Rb atoms. The gradiometer consists of twoatomic magnetometers. The rotation of light polarization in eachmagnetometer is detected with a balanced polarimeter. The sensitivity ofthe gradiometer is 0.8 nG/Hz1/2 for near-DC (0.1 Hz) magnetic fields,with a baseline of 2.5 cm. For applications in nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a long solenoid that piercesthe magnetic shields provides a ~;0.5 G leading field for the nuclearspins in the sample. Our apparatus is particularly suited for remotedetection of NMR and MRI. We demonstrate a point-by-point free inductiondecay measurement and a spin echo reconstructed with a pulse sequencesimilar to the Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) pulse. Additionalapplications and future improvements are also discussed.

• Research Organization: Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley NationalLaboratory, Berkeley, CA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Director. Office of Science. Office of AdvancedScientific Computing Research. Office of Basic Energy Sciences. MaterialsSciences and Engineering Division; US Department of Defense. Office ofNaval Research. Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative Grant.Small Business Innovation Research Program, National Aeronautics andSpace Administration
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-05CH11231
• OSTI ID: 907905
• Report Number(s): LBNL--60767; BnR: KC0203010
• Journal Information: Review of Scientific Instruments, Journal Name: Review of Scientific Instruments Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 77; ISSN 0034-6748; ISSN RSINAK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
CONSTRUCTION
DECAY
DESIGN
DETECTION
INDUCTION
LARMOR PRECESSION
LASERS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC RESONANCE
MAGNETOMETERS
MESONS
MODULATION
NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE
POLARIZATION
ROTATION
RUTHERFORD BACKSCATTERING SPECTROSCOPY
SHIELDS
SOLENOIDS
SPIN ECHO
atomic magnetometry magnetic resonance opticaldetection