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Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC)

Microscopic Magnetic Field Imaging with Hot Atoms

Jordan Brass, Sebastien Bisdee, Mohammed T. Rasheed, Carrie Ann Weidner, Cyril Torre

Published Jun 23, 2025• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

In the recent years, atomic sensors have demonstrated superior performance in magnetic field sensing compared to other technologies [1]. While atomic vapour cells have been integrated into compact systems, such as bio- imaging, the spatial resolution remains limited by the size of the sensors [2]. Here, we propose combining single- pixel imaging (SPI) technique with an atomic vapour cell to achieve microscopic-scale imaging for magnetic field sensing. The SPI technique involves projecting pattern of light onto a sample while monitoring the intensity [3]. The magnetic field is then estimated using the Faraday effect, where an incident linear polarised beam rotates in the presence of a magnetic field as the probe beam propagates through the atomic vapour cell.

DOI
10.1109/cleo/europe-eqec65582.2025.11111581

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In the recent years, atomic sensors have demonstrated superior performance in magnetic field sensing compared to other technologies [1]. While atomic vapour cells have been integrated into compact systems, such as bio- imaging, the spatial resolution remains limited by the size of the sensors [2]. Here, we propose combining single- pixel imaging (SPI) technique with an atomic vapour cell to achieve microscopic-scale imaging for magnetic field sensing. The SPI technique involves projecting pattern of light onto a sample while monitoring the intensity [3]. The magnetic field is then estimated using the Faraday effect, where an incident linear polarised beam rotates in the presence of a magnetic field as the probe beam propagates through the atomic vapour cell.
In recent years, sensors based on hot atomic vapor cells have emerged as a compact and highly sensitive means of measuring magnetic fields. Such sensors have been deployed in the field for the measurement of, e.g. biological systems, representing a promising practical application of quantum technologies. However, it remains challenging to obtain high-resolution magnetic field images from these sensors, and in most cases the spatial resolution of the system is limited by the sensor size. Here, we demonstrate the combination of single-pixel imaging (SPI) techniques with an atom vapor. Faraday magnetometer to achieve microscopic magnetic field imaging. We demonstrate magnetic field imaging with a spatial resolution of ≈ 62.5μm\approx~62.5μm≈ 62.5μm, limited only by the resolution of our DMD projection system and the absence of magnetic shielding in our experimental setup.
In recent years, sensors based on hot atomic vapor cells have emerged as a compact and highly sensitive means of measuring magnetic fields. Such sensors have been deployed in the field for the measurement of, e.g., biological systems, representing a promising practical application of quantum technologies. However, it remains challenging to obtain high-resolution magnetic field images from these sensors, and in most cases, the spatial resolution of the system is limited by the sensor size. Here, we demonstrate the combination of single-pixel imaging (SPI) techniques with an atom vapor Faraday magnetometer to achieve microscopic magnetic field imaging. We demonstrate magnetic field imaging with a spatial resolution of ≈ 62.5 μm, limited only by the resolution of our digital micromirror device projection system and the absence of magnetic shielding in our experimental setup.
This paper reports the development and characterization of an atomic magnetometer with a microfabricatedRb atomic vapour cell as the sensing element. The measurement principle is based on the Faraday rotation of linearly polarized probe light, which interacts resonantly with atomic spin states in the presence of a magnetic field. In the chip-scale vapour cell (dimensions: 8.0 mm × 12.0 mm × 1.5 mm), the atomic vapour is confined to a micromachined optical cavity of 3.5 µL with an optical path length of 0.5 mm. Optical interrogation is performed using a single laser beam tuned to the D1 absorption resonance of ⁸⁵Rb. The rotation arises due to magnetically induced circular birefringence in the hot atomic vapour. A bench model of the magnetometer is demonstrated over a measurement range of ±50 µT with a maximum uncertainty of 800 nT in an unshielded environment. The magneto-optic rotation (MOR) response in the laboratory was investigated and is observed to vary from 5×10³ rad/T for near zero magnetic field to 3.2×10³ rad/T for ambient geomagnetic field.
This thesis presents a novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique for spinor Bose-Einstein condensates (BEC) with the paramagnetic Faraday effect. This quantum-photon interface couples the spin of the BEC to the polarisation of an off-resonant laser, which in a magnetic field gradient allows a 1D density profile of the BEC to be reconstructed. As opposed to conventional imaging techniques that are destructive or diffraction limited, this technique is minimally destructive to the BEC and not diffraction limited. Multishot in situ imaging of a single condensate is therefore possible, paving the way for time-resolved studies and 2D/3D reconstructions. A theoretical model for Faraday imaging is developed using the tensor polarisability formalism for the atom-light interaction, and the signal-to-noise ratio is derived. Resolution limits induced by Stern-Gerlach separation are considered, encouraging rapid measurements with strong magnetic field gradients. Analysing the trapping potential reveals that the `magic-zero' wavelength 790nm produces no dipole force and enables a tightly focused probe laser to be used without perturbing the trap. Polarisation-maintaining fibers were seen to impart large fluctuations depending on the incident polarisation, which were minimised. The broad diode laser emission background is seen to reduce the lifetime of the BEC, which was corrected with an interference filter. Short-time Fourier transforms are used to process the photodetected signal, showing the evolution of the polarisation rotation frequency and amplitude. Frequency-modulation is observed at the power line frequency, corresponding to magnetic field fluctuations induced by nearby equipment. Birefringence of optical elements results in elliptical polarisation of the probe and an effective magnetic field, which is cancelled using a quarter-waveplate. The quadratic Zeeman effect causes rapid amplitude modulation, and is eliminated by applying a microwave dressing field. Radiative spin echo is achieved in a magnetic field gradient, proving that dephasing is coherent, and that multishot imaging possible. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is performed on a partially-evaporated atom cloud, distinguishing the thermal and condensed fractions. A split dipole trap is used to create two spatially separated BECs, which are individually resolved during MRI. The resolution is only limited by the strength of the applied magnetic field gradient, and is not subject to the diffraction limit. Custom coils will enable MRI of condensates at the sub-micron scale.
In this work, we demonstrate a microwave magnetic field imaging technique based on Rabi resonance with a cesium atom vapor cell. Rabi resonance signals are generated when atoms interact with a phase-modulated microwave (MW) field and are detected by a photodiode and camera. A low noise, high quantum efficiency camera is used to capture a series of frames for different phase modulation frequencies. Rabi frequencies of each spatial point in the field can be measured by scanning the frames. Thus, the strength of the MW magnetic field distribution is obtained by combing the Rabi frequencies, measured with camera pixels in the range of the probe laser beam. The simple architecture of this imaging setup holds great potential for the construction of compact/miniature MW field sensors for material testing, field imaging of MW components, and biomedical imaging.
We demonstrate a simple technique for microwave field imaging using alkali atoms in a vapor cell. The microwave field to be measured drives Rabi oscillations on atomic hyperfine transitions, which are detected in a spatially resolved way using a laser beam and a camera. Our vapor cell geometry enables single-shot recording of two-dimensional microwave field images with 350 μm spatial resolution. Using microfabricated vapor cell arrays, a resolution of a few micrometers seems feasible. All vector components of the microwave magnetic field can be imaged. Our apparatus is simple and compact and does not require cryogenics or ultra-high vacuum.