Optimization of the alkali-metal density ratio in a hybrid optical pumping atomic magnetometer

Abstract

The alkali-metal density ratio is one of the primary design parameters in hybrid optical pumping magnetometers. Here, experiments were conducted with a hybrid optically-pumped atomic magnetometer using a cell containing potassium and rubidium. Potassium atoms are pumped by a laser and become polarized. Rubidium atoms are polarized via collisions with potassium atoms and can be probed. The light shift was eliminated by adjusting the density ratio of potassium to rubidium atoms and by optimizing the pump laser parameters. The effect of fluctuations in the laser power and frequency were minimized as a result. The optimal density ratio and magnetic field sensitivity were 1:277 and 0.68 fT Hz−1/2, respectively.