System for detecting zero-field resonance
AssigneeQuSpinc, 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 system for identifying and optimizing a zero-field (ZF) resonance, the ZF resonance peak having a width and a height, the system comprising:
- a. at least one pump light beam;
- b. a vapor cell containing gaseous atoms;
- c. a photodector for measuring light transmitted through the vapor cell;
- d. a strong magnetic field having a direction along the pump light beam to simultaneously increase the height and width of the ZF resonance, wherein the system is configured to apply the strong magnetic field prior to identification of the ZF resonance;
- e. a means for detecting the ZF resonance;
- f. a first coil, having an axis, the axis being not aligned with the pump beam;
- g. an adjustable coil driver;
- h. at least one coil for producing a magnetic field, the coil being selected from one or more of the first coil and one or more additional coils;
- and
- i. a means for adjusting a magnetic field so as to minimize the width of the ZF resonance peak and maximize the height of the ZF resonance peak.
A system for locking a zero-field paramagnetic resonance magnetometer (ZF-PRM) to a ZF resonance, the system comprising:
- a. at least one pump light beam;
- b. a vapor cell containing gaseous atoms;
- c. a photodector for measuring light transmitted through the vapor cell;
- d. a strong magnetic field having a direction along the pump light beam to simultaneously increase the height and width of the ZF resonance, wherein the system is configured to apply the strong magnetic field prior to identification of the ZF resonance;
- e. a means for detecting the ZF resonance;
- f. a current modulator to generate a modulation current, the current modulator attached to a first coil, the coil having an axis, the axis being not aligned with the pump beam;
- g. an adjustable coil driver;
- h. at least one coil, the coil being selected from selected from one or more of the first coil and one or more additional coils;
- i. a means for generating at least one error signal;
- and
- j. a means for engaging at least one control loop that controls the coil having an axis, the axis being not aligned with the pump beam, the control loop configured to minimize at least one field component that is transverse to the pump light beam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.