Title :
Towards a miniature atomic scalar magnetometer using liquid crystal polarization rotator
Author :
Rutkowski, J. ; Fourcault, W. ; Bertrand, F. ; Rossini, U. ; Getin, S. ; Lartigue, O. ; Le Calvez, S. ; Jager, T. ; Herth, E. ; Le Prado, M. ; Leger, J.M. ; Morales, S.
Author_Institution :
LETI, CEALETI, Grenoble, France
Abstract :
CEA-LETI and CNES have successfully realized a helium-4 isotropic space-qualified magnetometer for the SWARM mission. The present paper reviews the progress made in the miniaturization of this isotropic optically pumped magnetometer. Sensor isotropy is provided by a liquid crystal polarization rotator that sets the pumping beam polarization at 90° with respect to the ambient magnetic field. It allows a continuous polarization rotation from 0° to more than 300° with response times sufficient for mobile or space applications. This rotator is non-magnetic and can be easily integrated close to the gas cell. The miniature sensor reaches a sensitivity of 10 pT/√Hz in a bandwidth from DC to 100 Hz.
Keywords :
helium; liquid crystal devices; magnetometers; 4He; SWARM mission; ambient magnetic field; bandwidth 0 Hz to 100 Hz; continuous polarization rotation; helium-4 isotropic space-qualified magnetometer; isotropic optically pumped magnetometer; liquid crystal polarization rotator; miniature atomic scalar magnetometer; pumping beam polarization; sensor isotropy; Magnetic field measurement; Magnetic fields; Magnetic noise; Magnetic resonance; Magnetic shielding; Magnetometers; Superconducting magnets; Electron spin resonance; Helium-4 isotropic atomic magnetometer; Liquid crystal polarization rotator; Microfabrication;
Conference_Titel :
Solid-State Sensors, Actuators and Microsystems (TRANSDUCERS & EUROSENSORS XXVII), 2013 Transducers & Eurosensors XXVII: The 17th International Conference on
Conference_Location :
Barcelona
DOI :
10.1109/Transducers.2013.6626864
