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US 8,334,690 B2Granted
Atomic magnetometer and method of sensing magnetic fields
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce, The National Institute of Standards and Technology
InventorsJohn Kitching, Svenja Knappe, Jan Preusser, Vladislav Gerginov
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A magnetometer and method of use is presently disclosed. The magnetometer has at least one sensor void of extraneous metallic components, electrical contacts and electrically conducting pathways. The sensor contains an active material vapor, such as an alkali vapor, that alters at least one measurable parameter of light passing therethrough, when in a magnetic field. The sensor may have an absorptive material configured to absorb laser light and thereby activate or heat the active material vapor.
Claims20
A magnetometer comprising:
- at least one sensor comprising:
- an alkali material;
- an alkali vapor cell that is void of electrical contacts and void of electrically conducting pathways and configured to contain said alkali material and vapor of said alkali material and configured to heat said alkali material to a desired temperature with laser light, said alkali vapor cell comprising:
- at least one translucent or transparent wall configured to allow laser light to pass therethrough;
- at least one reflective, refractive or transmissive wall configured to reflect, refract or transmit at least a portion of laser light passing through said at least one translucent or transparent wall to a detector;
- a material configured to interact with laser light and thereby heat said alkali material to a desired temperature and evolve a sufficient amount of alkali vapor from said alkali material, within said alkali vapor cell;
- and
- said sufficient amount of alkali vapor being suitable to alter at least one measurable parameter of laser light in response to a magnetic field;
- said magnetometer further comprising:
- at least one laser configured to direct laser light into said alkali vapor cell through said at least one translucent or transparent wall;
- and
- a detector configured to receive laser light after passing through said alkali vapor.
9 more elements
A method for detecting a magnetic field comprising the steps of:
- directing a first beam of laser light to a magnetic sensor;
- heating an alkali material, contained within said magnetic sensor, to a desired temperature with said first beam of laser light;
- vaporizing at least a portion of said alkali material within said magnetic sensor at the desired temperature;
- containing said alkali material vapor within said magnetic sensor;
- passing a second beam of laser light through said alkali material vapor;
- receiving said second beam, with a detector, after said second beam of laser light has passed through said alkali material vapor;
- and
- detecting, with said detector, at least one measurable parameter of said second beam that is altered upon said second beam passing through said alkali material vapor when said magnetic sensor is in the presence of a magnetic field.
5 more elements
A magnetometer comprising:
- at least one sensor head that is void of any electrical contacts, void of any electrically conducting pathways, and extraneous metallic components, said at least one sensor head comprising:
- an alkali material;
- an alkali vapor cell containing said alkali material and vapor of said alkali material:
- said alkali vapor cell comprising a material configured to heat said alkali material contained therein to a desired temperature with laser light in order to vaporize a portion of said alkali material upon the application of laser light onto or through an outer surface thereof;
- and
- an enclosure configured to substantially enclose and insulate said alkali vapor cell;
- and
- an alkali vapor cell support, comprising a low thermal conductive material, configured to support said alkali vapor cell within said enclosure wherein a void space is between said outer surface of said alkali vapor cell and said enclosure;
- said magnetometer further comprising:
- a first optic fiber comprising a first end in light communication with said alkali vapor cell;
- a laser in light communication with a second end of said first optic fiber;
- a second optic fiber having a first end in light communication with said alkali vapor cell;
- and
- an optical detector in light communication with a second end of said second optic fiber, said optical detector being configured to detect at least one measurable parameter of laser light that is altered upon passing through said sensor head when in the presence of a magnetic field.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.