With the development of quantum precision measurement technology, measurement methods based on magnetic, optical and atomic interactions have started to receive widespread attention. Among them, quantum precision measurement based on the spin-exchange relaxation-free (SERF) effect shows great potential by its ultra-high measurement sensitivity. This paper introduces the basic operation principles of the magnetic field and inertia measurement based on the SERF effect, and focuses on the research progress and applications of SERF quantum precision measurement in fundamental physics, inertial navigation and biomedicine. Finally, we propose a prospect for the directions of SERF quantum precision measurement.
With the development of quantum precision measurement technology, measurement methods based on magnetic, optical and atomic interactions have started to receive widespread attention. Among them, quantum precision measurement based on the spin-exchange relaxation-free (SERF) effect shows great potential by its ultra-high measurement sensitivity. This paper introduces the basic operation principles of the magnetic field and inertia measurement based on the SERF effect, and focuses on the research progress and applications of SERF quantum precision measurement in fundamental physics, inertial navigation and biomedicine. Finally, we propose a prospect for the directions of SERF quantum precision measurement.
Ultra sensitive detection and high precision measurement of magnetic fields have been of great importance for both fundamental physics and practical applications. Recent developments in the technology of atomic magnetometers have enabled the spin-exchange relaxation free (SERF) atomic magnetometers as the most sensitive devices for detecting and measuring static or quasi-static magnetic fields. In this paper, we analyze the effect of the most prominent relaxation mechanism (i.e., the spin-destruction collisions) on the precision of SERF magnetometers. For static magnetic fields, it is explicitly demonstrated how the spin-destruction collisions degrade the precision of the SERF magnetometers from the Heisenberg limit to the standard limit even with quantum resources being employed.
This paper aims to review the technology, developments, and applications of spin exchange relaxation free (SERF) atomic magnetometers. The generalized comparisons between the SERF magnetometer and the other types of weak magnetic sensors are elaborated. Further, the fundamental composition and operational principle of the SERF atomic magnetometer are elucidated. The development history and recent technological developments with respect to several aspects, including the alkali metal vapor source, atom heating method, pump and probe lasers, and magnetic shielding system, are presented. The classification and respective advantages and disadvantages of these technologies are described in detail. Finally, the existing and potential applications, as well as the prospective future development trends are presented.
In recent years, developments in quantum sensing, laser, and atomic sensor technologies have also enabled advancement in the field of quantum navigation. Atomic-based gyroscopes have emerged as one of the most critical atomic sensors in this respect. In this review, a brief technology statement of spin exchange relaxation free (SERF) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) type atomic comagnetometer gyroscope (CG) is presented. Related studies in the literature have been gathered, and the fundamental compositions of CGs with technical basics are presented. A comparison of SERF and NMR CGs is provided. A basic simulation of SERF CG was carried out because of its high theoretic bias stability limit. Besides, some highly critical challenges for CGs were examined and reported with compensation methods. The objective of this review is to offer a guide for researchers to develop high-precision atomic gyroscopes and to encourage further research.
High precision measurement of magnetic fields has been of great importance for both fundamental physics and practical applications. Magnetometers based on atomic spin effect provide a new technique for high precision measurement and have been enabled as the most sensitive magnetic sensors at present. However, the atomic spins used as probes to sense the magnetic fields are prone to the decoherence effects. For the atomic spin-exchange relaxation free (SERF) magnetometer which operates with high alkali atoms density in very low magnetic fields, the main relaxation mechanism is the spin-destruction collisions between atoms. In this paper, it is demonstrated by numerical simulations that the precision of the atomic SERF magnetometer is significantly affected by this spin-destruction collisions.
With the development of atom optics,the potential high precision and super-high sensitivity of atom inertial technology have attracted world-wide attention and research.Recent great technology progress in atom inertial technology was achieved,and the application in engineering is developing.The recent development of atom inertial technology was introduced in the paper,and its applications,especially on high precision inertial navigation,fundamental physics and verification of General Relativity,measurement of the Earth,the Moon,and so on.At last,domestic research situation and development in the future were demonstrated.
Quantum precision measurement and sensing aims to obtain a measurement accuracy beyond the limits specified by classical measurement techniques and achieve ultra-high precision measurements of physical quantities, such as magnetic field, inertia, gravity, and time by employing quantum resources and effects. With the advancement of quantum optics, atomic physics, and related fields, in addition to the incentives of the Nobel Prize and the “quantization” of the seven basic physical quantities of the International Unit, precision measurement has entered the quantum era. Compared with conventional sensors based on classical technology, quantum sensors can surpass the standard quantum limit. In addition, quantum sensors are more appropriate for precision measurements because they are not affected by manufacturing differences, defects, impurities, aging, and other factors. It has broad application potential in biomagnetism, geomagnetism, space magnetic field detection, and so on. Furthermore, its practical applications include complicated systems, poor portability and operability, high power consumption, and high cost. However, many issues remain to be addressed. Given the broad application prospect of precision measurement, certain international institutions, for instance, NIST, have begun researching chip-scale atomic sensing devices. Among the reponed chip-scale atomic systems thus far, the progress of the atomic clock and magnetometer is paramount. In this paper, we review the latest development and application of chip-scale atomic clocks and magnetometers and examine their opportunities and challenges. Finally, by taking the homebuilt microfabricated atomic magnetometer as an example, we describe the mechanism of spin squeezing-assisted quantum-enhanced metrology and provide a long-term outlook for chip-scale quantum-enhanced metrology.