A Portable Atomic Magnetometer with Pico-Tesla Sensitivity

Abstract

An atomic magnetometer is a highly sensitive device designed to measure magnetic fields with exceptional precision. Unlike traditional magnetometers like flux gate magnetometers and MEMS based magnetometers, atomic magnetometers use the quantum properties of individual atoms to achieve unparalleled sensitivity. It works without any cryogenic cooling, unlike SQUIDS, making it suitable from the perspective of portability and maintenance. The magnetometer is able to work in Earth’s magnetic field, allowing the user to measure environmental magnetic field fluctuations caused by the presence of some objects (say, a submarine or unexploded ordnance) made from magnetic material or due to some structural changes in Earth.