A 4He vector zero-field optically pumped magnetometer operated in the Earth-field

F Bertrand; T Jager; A Boness; W Fourcault; G Le Gal; A Palacios-Laloy; J Paulet; J M Léger

doi:10.1063/5.0062791

A ⁴He vector zero-field optically pumped magnetometer operated in the Earth-field

Rev Sci Instrum. 2021 Oct 1;92(10):105005. doi: 10.1063/5.0062791.

Authors

F Bertrand¹, T Jager¹, A Boness¹, W Fourcault¹, G Le Gal¹, A Palacios-Laloy¹, J Paulet¹, J M Léger¹

Affiliation

¹ University Grenoble Alpes, CEA, Leti, F-38000 Grenoble, France.

PMID: 34717435
DOI: 10.1063/5.0062791

Abstract

Low intrinsic noise, high bandwidth, and high accuracy vector magnetometers are key components for many ground or space geophysical applications. Here, we report the design and the test of a ⁴He vector optically pumped magnetometer specifically dedicated to these needs. It is based on a parametric resonance magnetometer architecture operated in the Earth magnetic field with closed-loop compensation of the three components of the magnetic field. It provides offset-free vector measurements in a ±70 μT range with a DC to 1 kHz bandwidth. We demonstrate a vector sensitivity up to 130 fT/√Hz, which is about ten times better than the best available fluxgate magnetometers currently available for the same targeted applications.