Integration of Micro-Fabricated Scalar Magnetometer with the Combination of Mx and Mz Techniques

Abstract

The importance of the atomic magnetometer hasalready been widely recognized and it is an emergency to come up with portable atomic magnetometers with highperformance. The scalar magnetometer with its uniqueproperty of merely sensitive to the magnitude but relativelyinsensitive to the direction of the ambient magnetic field. This work presents a novel solution which combines two types of scalar atomic magnetometers, namely the MX magnetometer and the MZ magnetometer. A micro-fabricated rubidium vapor cell, which is the key component in an atomic magnetometer, was integrated in the prototype to enable the reduction of its volume. With a brief review of the theoretical model of scalar atomic magnetometers, the principle is demonstrated. Both thescheme of the magnetometer and the fabrication process of the vapor cell are illustrated. The results of the dispersive signals were measured and are presented. The magnetic field noise spectrum of both the MX and MZ magnetometers are also presented in this work, which shows the sensitivities are in the order of 100pT/Hz1/2.