Eddy current imaging with an atomic radio-frequency magnetometer

Journal Article · Mon May 02 00:00:00 EDT 2016 · Applied Physics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4948534· OSTI ID:22591685

Wickenbrock, Arne ^[1]; Leefer, Nathan; Blanchard, John W. ^[2]; Budker, Dmitry ^[1]

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1. Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, 55128 Mainz (Germany)
2. Helmholtz Institut Mainz, 55099 Mainz (Germany)

We use a radio-frequency {sup 85}Rb alkali-vapor cell magnetometer based on a paraffin-coated cell with long spin-coherence time and a small, low-inductance driving coil to create highly resolved conductivity maps of different objects. We resolve sub-mm features in conductive objects, we characterize the frequency response of our technique, and by operating at frequencies up to 250 kHz we are able to discriminate between differently conductive materials based on the induced response. The method is suited to cover a wide range of driving frequencies and can potentially be used for detecting non-metallic objects with low DC conductivity.

• OSTI ID: 22591685
• Journal Information: Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 108, Issue 18; Other Information: (c) 2016 Author(s); Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
EDDY CURRENTS
INDUCTANCE
KHZ RANGE 100-1000
MAGNETOMETERS
MAPS
MATERIALS
POTENTIALS
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
RUBIDIUM 85
SPIN
VAPORS