Optically pumped magnetometer and magnetic sensing method

A magnetic sensing method for acquiring an information as to strengths of magnetic fields in different two directions comprising steps of:

• directing a pump light containing a circularly polarized component, a first probe light containing a linearly polarized component and a second probe light containing a linearly polarized component, to form a crossing region there between in a cell including a group of alkali metal atoms;
• applying, by magnetic field applying unit, a static magnetic field in a direction of the pump light incident in the crossing region, during the directing the pump light, the first probe light and the second probe light;
• and
• calculating the information as to strengths of magnetic fields in the different two directions vertical to the direction of the static magnetic field applied by the magnetic field applying unit within the cell, based on the rotation angle of the plane of polarization of the first probe light and the rotation angle of the plane of polarization of the second probe light during passing through the cell.

A recording medium storing a computer readable program for acquiring an information is readable, wherein the program operates the computer to execute a magnetic sensing method for acquiring an information as to strengths of magnetic fields in different two directions comprising steps of:

• directing a pump light containing a circularly polarized component, a first probe light containing a linearly polarized component and a second probe light containing a linearly polarized component, to form a crossing region therebetween in a cell including a group of alkali metal atoms;
• applying, by magnetic field applying unit, a static magnetic field in a direction of the pump light incident in the crossing region, during the directing the pump light, the first probe light and the second probe light;
• and
• calculating the information as to strengths of magnetic fields in the different two directions vertical to the direction of the static magnetic field applied by the magnetic field applying unit within the cell, based on the rotation angle of the plane of polarization of the first probe light and the rotation angle of the plane of polarization of the second probe light during passing through the cell.