Recent advances in ultra-precise magnetometric devices based on classical MX and MZ optically pumped sensors, like a MX magnetometer possessing the accuracy of MZ sensor, an absolute three-component vector magnetometer, and a laser compass, are presented.
There has been permanent interest in investigations of new magnetic sensors and their various applications (Edelstein, 2007). Last years there is a rapid progress in development of magneto-optical sensors because of their sensitivity and potential for miniaturization. Magnetometers, based on magneto-optical sensors have high sensitivity comparable to, or even surpassing this of the SQUIDs (Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices) (Kominis et al., 2003; Dang et al., 2010; Savukov, 2010; Knappe, 2010). Microfabrication of components using the techniques of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) developed for atomic clocks (Knappe, 2004) gives the opportunity for building small, low consuming, low cost and non-cryogenic (as SQUIDs) sensors (Griffith et al., 2010). Coherent optical effects can be applied for magnetic field detection and offer perspectives for development of high-precision optical magnetometers (Cox et al., 2011; Kitching et al., 2011). These magnetometers are appropriate for geomagnetic, space, nuclear and biological magnetic field measurements (cardio and brain magnetic field imaging), environmental monitoring, magnetic microscopy, investigations of fundamental physics, etc. Coherent magneto-optical resonances have many applications not only in magnetometry, but in high-resolution spectroscopy, lasing without inversion, laser cooling, ultraslow group velocity propagation of light, etc. (Gao, 2009).
Abstract We demonstrate the possibility of using vertical-cavity surface emitting lasers with intracavity contacts and a rhomboidal oxide current aperture for creating compact optically pumped 133Cs atomic magnetometer operating in non-zero magnetic fields, which is promising to use in magnetoencephalographic systems. The magnetic resonance parameters were studied in a two-beam MX optically pumped magnetic field sensor scheme based on the effect of the magnetic resonance line narrowing at high laser pumping and high concentrations of alkali-metal atoms. The ultimate sensitivity of OPM was estimated by the ratio of the magnetic resonance steepness to the probe light shot noise level. It is shown that a magnetic sensor based on the vertical-cavity surface emitting lasers and a compact (0.125 cm3 volume) Cs vapor cell can achieve a shot noise-limited sensitivity better than 15 fT in 1 Hz bandwidth. Developed intracavity contacted VCSELs suitable for use in compact atomic magnetometers for magnetoencephalographic systems.