Pulsed optical pumping in electron spin vapor

Abstract

Optically pumped atoms have essential applications in magnetic sensing, physics research, and inertial navigation. The polarization gradient caused by light absorption dramatically influences the performance of quantum sensors based on optical pumping. This paper presents a novel approach to address the trade-off between polarization gradient and sensitivity by introducing the pulsed optical pumping method. The interplay of pulsed optical pumping, relaxation, and diffusion processes leads to a more homogeneous distribution of electron spin. Experimental results indicate that the pulsed optical pumping technique increases the optically pumped magnetometer (OPM) signal strength by 12.8% and increases the nuclear spin coherence time by 12.29% in optically pumped co-magnetometer (OPCM). This technology has broad applications in sensors based on the optical pumping effect, such as OPM, OPCM, and nuclear magnetic resonance gyroscope, and holds immense promise for future advancements in the optical pumping field.