EAGER: Dense micro array of atomic spin-polarized detectors for subfemtatesla level resolution of magnetic field gradient

目标：本项目的目标是探索一种检测磁场的方法，其大小和方向性都在10平方厘米的外形系数内，分辨率小于1毫微秒，定位误差小于10微米。提出的方法是基于密集排列的玻璃微尺度单元阵列的实现。每个电池的直径为100微米，里面装满了Rb和缓冲气体的同位素。细胞在同一衬底上均匀分布，相距100微米，每个细胞充当高精度的全光学原子磁强计。智能优点：这个项目将研究核自旋的进动作为磁场大小的测量和磁强计作为磁场梯度的空间分布的测量。与SQUID相反，拟议的原子磁梯度仪将不需要低温冷却，也不会有任何移动的机械部件。通过测量核自旋进动频率对弱磁场的响应，有可能实现高性能的磁测量。广泛的影响：高灵敏度、小体积和易于使用的磁强计可以在生物和生物医学工程、地质和矿产/石油勘探以及监视和防御(通过墙壁/地下成像和目标跟踪)等不同领域产生革命性的影响。拟议的微型设备提供的小尺寸和便利性可以导致脑图的重大进步，并使先进的便携式大脑监测设备的开发成为可能。在手持设备的外形因素中个人使用这种技术的可获得性将彻底改变例如个人保健、按需诊断和慢性疾病的自我监测。最引人注目的贡献将是在生物磁学领域，也就是对人类大脑、心脏和其他器官产生的弱磁场的检测。这项研究将促进创新传感概念、信号处理和系统级实施领域的科学知识。这个高度跨学科的项目还将通过团队合作为本科生和研究生(包括代表性不足的学生)提供独特的教育体验。

Objective: The goal of this project is to explore an approach for detection of magnetic field, both magnitude and directionality, with less than 1 femto-Tesla resolution and better than 10 microns location error in a 10 square centimeter form-factor. The proposed approach is based on implementation of a densely packed array of glass micro-scale cells. Each cell is a hundred micron in diameter and is filled with isotopes of rubidium and buffer gasses. Cells are equally spaced on the same substrate, a hundred micron apart, and each cell acts as a highly precise all-optical atomic magnetometer.Intellectual Merit: This project will investigate the precession of nuclear spins as the measure of magnetic field magnitude and spatial distribution of magnetometers as a measure of magnetic field gradient. Contrary to SQUIDs, the proposed atomic magnetic gradiometer will not require cryogenic cooling and will not have any moving mechanical parts. A high-performance magnetometry can potentially be achieved by measuring the apparent change of the precession frequency of nuclear spins in response to a weak magnetic field.Broader Impact: Highly sensitive, small size, and easy to use magnetometers can have transformative effects in various areas including biology and biomedical engineering, geology and mineral/oil exploration, as well as surveillance and defense (through wall/underground imaging and target tracking). Small size and convenience offered by the proposed microscale devices can lead to significant advances in brain mapping and enable development of advanced portable brain monitoring devices. The accessibility of such technology for personal use in the form factor of hand-held devices will revolutionize, for example, personal health-care, on-demand diagnostic, and self-monitoring of chronic deceases. The most noticeable contribution will be in the area of biomagnetism, that is, the detection of the weak magnetic fields produced by the human brain, heart, and other organs. This research will advance scientific knowledge in the areas of innovative sensing concepts, signal processing, and system-level implementation. This highly multidisciplinary project will also provide unique educational experience for undergraduate and graduate (including underrepresented) students through team collaborations.