Atomic Triaxial Magnetometer

Improved magnetic anomaly detection can counter threats from quieter submarines and mines. This Phase I STTR project will address this goal using improved atomic magnetometry methods based on pumping alignment coherence in rubidium vapor. A means of changing the polarization of the pump light will ensure that atomic coherence can be pumped in any orientation of the magnetic field. Multiple probe beams will ensure that atomic precession can be measured in any orientation of the field. The signals from the multiple probe beams will be combined to determine vector information about the field, while the precession frequency will determine the total (scalar) field, as in conventional atomic magnetometers. The Phase I effort will demonstrate the feasibility and optimize the data processing algorithms. The Phase I Option will prepare for outdoor testing to be conducted in Phase II.