V-MAG pioneers a new class of magnetometer, based on spatially shaped light-atom interaction. From migratory birds and honey bees, to nuclear submarines and space shuttles, magnetometry, or the measurement of the magnitude and orientation of magnetic fields, can be found all throughout natural and modern domains. As such, it is both a highly prized and well researched commodity. And yet, the sheer diversity of application complects many different demands and has thus resulted in many different solutions, offering differing optimisations and compromises. In contrast, V-MAG aims to provide a 'best-of-all-worlds' solution to the general problem of magnetometry: not to reach the best limit in any one dimension, but rather to offer a competitive solution across all dimensions.
Our project will build on the discovery, that not only can vector vortex light be used to spatially tailor atomic interference, a concept developed by some of the partners, but that the magnetic field alignment in 3-D space can be simply inferred from the absorption profile of a single vector vortex beam. This work, first published at the end of 2021, lays the foundation for the current proposal but is compromised by its performance in a complicated vacuum system. Rather than a partial proof-of-principle demonstration in a cold atom setup however, there is now the suggestion that room-temperature vapours could measure both the direction and magnitude of a B-field from modifications to the polarisation profile. Thus, we will explore the possibility of full, practical measurement of a 3-D B-field: to optimise its performance for applications of interest, and ultimately to translate a fundamental concept of vectorial light-matter interaction into devices for commercial application.
The effect of the magnetic field on the absorption image. (illustration)
Cold atom trap system
