Open AccessDetection of low-magnetic fields by rubidium (87Rb) vapor cell
Author(s) -
Marino Jesus Correia Maciel,
M. F. Silva,
Sara Pimenta,
J. H. Correia
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of physics. conference series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.21
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1742-6596
pISSN - 1742-6588
DOI - 10.1088/1742-6596/1837/1/012002
Subject(s) - rubidium , magnetic field , materials science , photodiode , magnetometer , optics , quantum efficiency , optoelectronics , scintillator , nuclear magnetic resonance , physics , potassium , quantum mechanics , metallurgy , detector
This paper describes the work carried out to assess the use of a quartz reference rubidium ( 87 Rb) vapor cell for non-invasively magnetoencephalography, avoiding cryogenically cooled sensors as the Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs). An experimental setup based on a cylindrical glass vapor cell of 87 Rb (l = 75 mm, d =19 mm) was developed. The 87 Rb cell was heated to around 75°C and it was optically pumped with polarized light (range 750-850 nm), tuned to the D1 transition of rubidium, for spin-polarization of the atoms, and the intensity of the light transmitted through the cell was detected using a photodiode. Without magnetic field, the photodiode current is maximized but when a small transverse magnetic field is present a measurable drop in light transmission occurs. A Magnetic Shielded Box (MSB) made by a nickel-iron ferromagnetic alloy, was used for nulling background magnetic fields and the transmittance light versus transverse magnetic field intensity (100-1000 nT) was measured.