Method for detecting zero-field resonance
AssigneeQuSpin Inc.
InventorsVishal Shah, Kenneth Jeramiah Hughes
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A zero-field paramagnetic resonance magnetometer (ZF-PRM) system and method for quickly and efficiently finding and optimizing the zero-field (ZF) resonance is described. In this system and method a magnetic coil is used to apply a magnetic bias field in the direction of the pump beam to artificially broaden the width and maximize the strength of the ZF resonance. By making the ZF resonance easy to detect, the ZF resonance may be found quickly found without the use of additional components and complex algorithms. Once the ZF resonance is found, a compensating magnetic field can be applied to null the magnetic field in the vicinity of the vapor cell in the ZF-PRM, thereby initializing it for operation.
Claims24
A method for identifying and optimizing a ZF resonance using a paramagnetic resonance magnetometer, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. directing at least one pump light beam through a vapor cell containing gaseous atoms to increase the magnetic polarization of the gaseous atoms;
- b. measuring light transmitted through the vapor cell;
- c. in a non-iterative action, applying a strong magnetic field having a direction along the pump light beam to simultaneously increase the height and width of the ZF resonance;
- d. subsequent to step c, detecting the ZF resonance;
- e. scanning a magnetic field in a direction differing from that of the pump light beam;
- and
- f. adjusting magnetic field components generated by one or more coils to minimize the width and maximize the height of the zero-field resonance.
A method for locking a zero-field paramagnetic resonance magnetometer (ZF-PRM) to a ZF resonance, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. directing at least one pump light beam through a vapor cell containing gaseous atoms to increase the magnetic polarization of the gaseous atoms;
- b. measuring light transmitted through the vapor cell;
- c. in a non-iterative action, applying a strong magnetic field having a direction along the pump light beam to simultaneously increase the height and width of the ZF resonance;
- d. applying a modulation current having an amplitude to at least one coil transverse to the pump light beam;
- e. generating at least one error signal;
- and
- f. subsequent to step c, engaging at least one control loop to minimize at least one field component that is transverse to the pump light beam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.