Open AccessFour-channel optically pumped atomic magnetometer for magnetoencephalography
Author(s) -
Anthony P. Colombo,
Tony R. Carter,
Amir Borna,
YuanYu Jau,
Cort Johnson,
Amber L. Dagel,
Peter Schwindt
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.24.015403
Subject(s) - gradiometer , magnetoencephalography , magnetometer , optics , physics , channel (broadcasting) , footprint , computer science , magnetic field , telecommunications , electroencephalography , quantum mechanics , psychiatry , psychology , paleontology , biology
We have developed a four-channel optically pumped atomic magnetometer for magnetoencephalography (MEG) that incorporates a passive diffractive optical element (DOE). The DOE allows us to achieve a long, 18-mm gradiometer baseline in a compact footprint on the head. Using gradiometry, the sensitivities of the channels are < 5 fT/Hz 1/2 , and the 3-dB bandwidths are approximately 90 Hz, which are both sufficient to perform MEG. Additionally, the channels are highly uniform, which offers the possibility of employing standard MEG post-processing techniques. This module will serve as a building block of an array for magnetic source localization.