Open AccessA project for a new alkali vapour magnetometer, optically pumped by a diode laser
Author(s) -
N. Beverini,
O. Faggioni,
C. Carmisciano,
E. Alzetta,
Enrico Maccioni,
M. Francesconi,
A. Donati,
Emilio Simeone,
F. Strumia
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
annals of geophysics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.394
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 2037-416X
pISSN - 1593-5213
DOI - 10.4401/ag-4335
Subject(s) - rubidium , magnetometer , laser , caesium , alkali metal , diode , optical pumping , magnetic field , optics , optoelectronics , materials science , physics , potassium , nuclear physics , quantum mechanics , metallurgy
We present here a project for the industrial development of a new magnetometer that is intended to achieve the highest performance in measuring geomagnetic field. The instrument is based on the well-known technology of optically pumped alkali vapour magnetometers. Unlike current commercial models, a diode laser replaces the traditional radio-frequency lamp as pumping source and our magnetometer uses potassium as reference atom, contrary to the more traditional cesium or rubidium. The advantages of this choice are discussed. Preliminary experimental results on a prototype show an expected accuracy better than 1 pT/Hz-1/2