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Updated: Jul 17, 2025

Spectral and Angle-Resolved Magneto-Optical Characterization of Photonic Nanostructures
Published on: November 21, 2019
Characterizing current noise of commercial constant-current sources by using an optically pumped rubidium atomic
Ni Zhao1, Lulu Zhang1, Yongbiao Yang1
1State Key Laboratory of Quantum Optics and Quantum Optics Devices and Institute of Opto-Electronics, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, Shanxi Province, China.
Abstract:
This paper introduces a method for characterizing the current noise of commercial constant-current sources (CCSs) using a free-induction-decay (FID) type optically pumped rubidium atomic magnetometer driven by a radio frequency magnetic field. We convert the sensitivity of the atomic magnetometer into the current noise of CCS by calibrating the coil constant. At the same time, the current noise characteristics of six typical commercial low-noise CCSs are compared. The current noise level of the Keysight model B2961A is the lowest among the six tested CCSs, which is 36.233 ± 0.022 nA/Hz1/2 at 1-25 Hz and 133.905 ± 0.080 nA/Hz1/2 at 1-100 Hz. The sensitivity of the atomic magnetometer is dependent on the current noise level of the CCS. The CCS with low noise is of great significance for high-sensitivity atomic magnetometers. This research provides an important reference for promoting the development of high precision CCS, metrology, and basic physics research.
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