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arXiv:2302.03275 · AIP Advances

Spectral analysis of spin noise in an optically spin-polarized stochastic Bloch equation driven by noisy magnetic fields

M. M. Kim, Sangkyung Lee

Published Feb 1, 2024• 2 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We theoretically analyze an optically spin-polarized collection of atoms, which serves as a basis for atomic sensors. Assuming that the intrinsic atomic spin projection noise is negligible, we provide the closed-form autocorrelation function and the power spectral density (PSD) of the solution to a noisy version of an optically pumped Bloch equation, wherein each component of the external magnetic field is subjected to white noise. We conclude that noise in the bias B-field direction does not affect the autocorrelation function, up to first order in white noise covariance amplitudes. Moreover, the noise terms for the remaining two axes make different contributions to the magnetic noise-driven spin PSD; in particular, the contribution corresponding to noises perpendicular to the probing direction dominates at high frequencies. Some results concerning the second (and higher)-order terms are given. In particular, we anticipate a decrease in the effective Larmor frequency despite an increase in the magnetic field magnitude in the case of anisotropic transversal B-field noises. The analytic results are supported by Monte Carlo simulations employing the Euler–Maruyama method. The analytic methodology is applied to the case of a Bell–Bloom magnetometer, which reveals a non-linearity in the PSD of the magnetometer output and also a broadening effect due to magnetic field noise.

DOI
10.1063/5.0190271

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We theoretically analyze an optically spin-polarized collection of atoms, which serves as a basis for atomic sensors. Assuming that the intrinsic atomic spin projection noise is negligible, we provide the closed-form autocorrelation function and the power spectral density (PSD) of the solution to a noisy version of an optically pumped Bloch equation, wherein each component of the external magnetic field is subjected to white noise. We conclude that noise in the bias B-field direction does not affect the autocorrelation function, up to first order in white noise covariance amplitudes. Moreover, the noise terms for the remaining two axes make different contributions to the magnetic noise-driven spin PSD; in particular, the contribution corresponding to noises perpendicular to the probing direction dominates at high frequencies. Some results concerning the second (and higher)-order terms are given. In particular, we anticipate a decrease in the effective Larmor frequency despite an increase in the magnetic field magnitude in the case of anisotropic transversal B-field noises. The analytic results are supported by Monte Carlo simulations employing the Euler–Maruyama method. The analytic methodology is applied to the case of a Bell–Bloom magnetometer, which reveals a non-linearity in the PSD of the magnetometer output and also a broadening effect due to magnetic field noise.
Optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) are revolutionizing the task of magnetic-field sensing due to their extremely high sensitivity combined with technological improvements in miniaturization which have led to compact and portable devices. OPMs can be based on spin-oriented or spin-aligned atomic ensembles which are spin polarized through optical pumping with circular or linear polarized light, respectively. Characterization of OPMs and the dynamical properties of their noise is important for applications in real-time sensing tasks. In our work, we experimentally perform spin noise spectroscopy of an alignment-based magnetometer. Moreover, we propose a stochastic model that predicts the noise power spectra exhibited by the device when, apart from the strong magnetic field responsible for the Larmor precession of the spin, white noise is applied in the perpendicular direction aligned with the pumping-probing beam. By varying the strength of the noise applied as well as the linear-polarization angle of incoming light, we verify the model to accurately predict the heights of the Larmor-induced spectral peaks and their corresponding linewidths. Our work paves the way for alignment-based magnetometers to become operational in real-time sensing tasks. Published by the American Physical Society 2024
In atomic spin sensors based on optical pumping, pump beam instabilities can drive atomic spin polarization fluctuations, referred to here as pump-induced spin polarization noise, which may limit sensitivity and long-term stability. Because the local pump field inside the cell can differ from that inferred from external optical diagnostics, it remains difficult to directly quantify the actual in situ spin polarization noise and to evaluate and suppress its contribution to the sensor noise floor. Here, we propose an in situ decoupling method based on spin dynamics, in which a large longitudinal detuning field suppresses magnetic field and rotation responses, while a transverse projection field converts pump-induced fluctuations in longitudinal spin polarization into a measurable transverse spin signal. Demonstrated in a K-Rb-21Ne spin exchange relaxation free (SERF) comagnetometer, the proposed method suppresses the magnetic-field response by approximately 180-fold and enhances the pump-power-noise response by approximately 380-fold, thereby enabling effective separation and evaluation of pump-induced spin polarization noise. The method employs the atomic ensemble as an in situ probe of the spin dynamic response to the local pump optical field. It enables quantitative identification of pump fluctuation associated noise and direct evaluation of optical field stability under actual operating conditions, thereby providing an experimental basis for optical field stabilization and noise suppression assessment in SERF comagnetometers and related alkali atomic spin sensors.
In this article, we analyze the amplitude-frequency and phase-frequency responses of a spin-exchange relaxation-free (SERF) atomic magnetometer with the nonorthogonal angle between the pump and probe beam. The optical nonorthogonality leads to a change in the photon spin direction of circularly polarized pump light, which decides the polarization direction of the atomic ensemble, causing significant differences in dynamic responses to the magnetic field. We theoretically analyze relationships between dynamic response solutions of the Bloch equation with different pump lights and magnetic field directions based on which the equations are linearized. The equations are solved with the Fourier transform method, and three-axis dynamic responses are obtained under the influences of optical nonorthogonality and residual static magnetic field. In the experiment, we verify the linear superposition characteristics between different response components. According to the results, we propose a novel method to quickly calibrate the nonorthogonal angle, which could reduce the optical nonorthogonal angle by 20 times, reaching 0.54°, and effectively enhance the dynamic magnetic field response signal in atomic magnetometers.
The magnetic field gradient within optical pumping magnetometers (OPMs) suppresses sensitivity improvement. We investigated the effects of the magnetic field gradient along the x-, y-, and z-axes on the limiting factors of magnetometers under extremely low magnetic field conditions. We modified the magnetic field gradient relaxation model such that it can be applied to atoms in the spin exchange relaxation free (SERF) regime. The gradient relaxation time and spin polarizations, combined with fast spin-exchange interaction, were determined simultaneously using the oscillating cosine magnetic field excitation and amplitude spectrum analysis method. During the experiments, we eliminated the errors caused by the temperature and pumping power, and considered different isotope spin exchange collisions in naturally abundant Rb during the data analysis to improve the fitting accuracy. The experimental results agreed well with those of theoretical calculations and confirmed the accuracy of the improved model. The contribution of the transverse magnetic field gradient to the relaxation of the magnetic field gradient cannot be ignored in the case of small static magnetic fields. Our study provides a theoretical and experimental basis for eliminating magnetic gradient relaxation in atomic sensors in the SERF region.
In order to reduce the measuring error of magnetic resonance frequency caused by Bloch-Siegert shift, and improve the measurement accuracy of optical pumped alkali-metal magnetometers, the Bloch-Siegert shift is studied under a bias magnetic field in any direction. In this condition, the evolution equation of atomic spin is deduced. Based on the numerical solution of this equation, a method for extracting the Bloch-Siegert shift is proposed, which avoids the difficulty in achieving the analytical solution of the evolution equation. The numerical and analytical solutions of the evolution equation under special conditions are compared, verifying the rationality and necessity of using the numerical solution instead of approximate analytical solution to study the Bloch-Siegert shift under the bias magnetic field in any direction. By studying the Bloch-Siegert shift under different conditions, the typical conditions are selected and the Bloch-Siegert shift is numerically calculated when the bias magnetic field is in different directions. Through the analysis and verification of the calculation results, a theoretical model of the Bloch-Siegert shift under the bias magnetic field in any direction is obtained. This model is of great significance for correcting and reducing the measurement error of optical pumped alkali-metal magnetometers.
We study the effect of optical polarization squeezing on the performance of a sensitive, quantum-noise-limited optically pumped magnetometer. We use Bell-Bloom (BB) optical pumping to excite a ^{87}Rb vapor containing 8.2×10^{12} atoms/cm^{3} and Faraday rotation to detect spin precession. The sub-pT/sqrt[Hz] sensitivity is limited by spin projection noise (photon shot noise) at low (high) frequencies. Probe polarization squeezing both improves high-frequency sensitivity and increases measurement bandwidth, with no loss of sensitivity at any frequency, a direct demonstration of the evasion of measurement backaction noise. We provide a model for the quantum noise dynamics of the BB magnetometer, including spin projection noise, probe polarization noise, and measurement backaction effects. The theory shows how polarization squeezing reduces optical noise, while measurement backaction due to the accompanying ellipticity antisqueezing is shunted into the unmeasured spin component. The method is compatible with high-density and multipass techniques that reach extreme sensitivity.