https://doi.org/10.1140/epjqt/s40507-025-00373-y
Research
Free-induction-decay magnetometer based on synchronous optical pumping and RF pulse modulation
1
Key Laboratory of Ultra-Weak Magnetic Field Measurement Technology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Large-scale Scientific Facility and Centre for Zero Magnetic Field Science, Beihang University, 100191, Beijing, China
2
Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Ultra-Weak Magnetic-Field Space and Applied Technology, Hangzhou Innovation Institute, Beihang University, 310051, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
3
National Institute of Extremely-Weak Magnetic Field Infrastructure, 310051, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Received:
19
October
2024
Accepted:
21
May
2025
Published online:
30
May
2025
Free-induction-decay (FID) magnetometer is highly suitable for precise magnetic field sensing in unshielded environments with the benefit of exceptional accuracy and large dynamic range. The sensitivity of the FID magnetometer is directly influenced by the signal-to-noise ratio, making it critical to enhance the amplitude of the FID signal. In this study, we propose a FID magnetometer based on synchronous optical pumping and RF pulse modulation. A comprehensive theoretical description of the magnetometer is introduced, followed by simulation and experiment that compare the proposed modulation method with the synchronous optical pumping modulation method and the RF pulse modulation method. The results show that the synchronous optical pumping and RF pulse modulation achieves the enhancement of the FID signal and improves the magnetometer sensitivity. Furthermore, the dead zone of the magnetometer is reduced to the direction of the probe beam. This work is significant for further development of optically pumped magnetometers and provides a new scheme for their applications in unshielded environments.
Key words: Optically pumped magnetometers / Free-induction-decay / Synchronous optical pumping / RF pulse
© The Author(s) 2025
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