Vector Atomic Magnetometer with Free Induction Decay Detection Based on a Microfabricated Vapor Cell

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Quantum Sensing
• Instrumentation

Background:

• Atomic magnetometers are crucial for weak magnetic field detection.
• Current trends focus on extracting vector information with high-precision scalar detection.
• Miniaturization is a key development goal for atomic magnetometers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel vector atomic magnetometer with a microfabricated vapor cell.
• To demonstrate high-precision in-plane vector magnetic field measurements.
• To provide a new method for vector magnetic field measurement in miniaturized devices.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a 5 mm-thick microfabricated vapor cell.
• Operating the magnetometer in free-induction-decay mode.
• Employing orthogonal modulation techniques for vector measurements.

Main Results:

• Achieved high-precision in-plane vector magnetic field measurements in the x-z plane.
• Demonstrated a total field sensitivity of 30 pT·Hz^-1/2 @11 µT.
• Obtained an average angular error of 4.7 mrad @7.6 µT for decoupled vector magnetic field measurements.

Conclusions:

• The developed vector atomic magnetometer offers a new approach for miniaturized magnetic field sensing.
• The device successfully combines high-precision scalar detection with vector information extraction.
• The results highlight the potential for advanced applications requiring sensitive vector magnetic field measurements.