SBIR Phase I: Atomic High Magnetic Field Probe

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目的重点是开发一种用于高磁场传感和测量的新探针技术。该技术利用无电路、基于原子的场传感元件，提供无电磁干扰的高速全光读出强场的绝对测量，直接解决了与各种行业相关的现有技术的能力差距。电动机和发电机状态监测系统的故障检测是一个广泛的商业潜力，其中由于发生过磁通或磁化等故障可能导致重大损坏，昂贵的维修和生产停机时间。原子探针解决了一个未满足的需求，即在旋转机器的导电元件内部和周围进行可靠的局部测量，最高可达几特斯拉的磁场，用于早期故障检测。该技术还有望扩大实验室测量仪器的能力，并有助于实验高磁场科学，需要先进的仪器进行1到100特斯拉范围内的测量。美国国家科学院（2004年和2013年）有影响力的报告阐述了高磁场实验室投资所代表的科学研究和技术发展的非凡机遇。实地调查预计将有助于这一正在进行的多学科努力。本项目的智力价值包括对原子强磁场探测器关键部件和能力的研究和演示。创新之处在于一种全新的测量方法，它提供了强大的，绝对标准的（原子）测量和感应磁场，高达数十特斯拉，高速和精确的紧凑，无电路，全光传感元件。该探测器的工作原理基于描述原子在强磁场中的光谱响应的原子物理学原理，以及作为实现原子光谱全光读出的实用手段的量子光学现象，从中获得有关磁场的信息。在该项目中，将对强磁场下的理论原子光谱进行开发、测试和完善。一种适合于感应强磁场的气相电池探头将被设计、制造和测试。将进行实验室实验，以测量原子对1特斯拉范围内磁场的响应，灵敏度为ppm。该方法还将在时变和开关磁场中进行测试，时间尺度为100ms。探针和读出单元的小型化将开始，导致坚固和紧凑，实用的传感元件具有更高的操作速度和改进的性能特征。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is focused on developing a new probe technology for high magnetic field sensing and measurement. The technology utilizes a circuit-free, atom-based field sensing element that affords absolute measurements of strong fields with high-speed all-optical readout that is free of electromagnetic interference, directly addressing capability gaps in existing technologies relevant to a variety of industries. A broad commercial potential is in fault-detection in condition-monitoring systems for motors and generators, where faults due to occurrences such as over-fluxing or magnetization can lead to major damage, costly repairs and production downtime. The atomic probe addresses an unmet need for reliable, localized measurements up to several Tesla of magnetic field within and surrounding conductive components in rotating machines for early fault detection. The technology also promises to expand capabilities of laboratory measurement instrumentation and contribute to experimental high magnetic field science requiring advanced instrumentation for measurement in the 1 to 100 Tesla range. The extraordinary opportunities for scientific research and technological development represented by investment in high magnetic field laboratories were set out in influential reports of the National Academies of Science (2004 and 2013). The field probe is expected to contribute to this on-going, multi-disciplinary effort. The intellectual merit of this project includes the research and demonstration of key components and capabilities of an atomic high magnetic field probe. The innovation lies in a fundamentally new measurement approach that provides robust, absolute-standard (atomic) measurement and sensing of magnetic fields up to tens of Tesla at high speed and precision with a compact, circuit-free, all-optical sensing element. The probe operates based on atomic physics principles that describe the spectroscopic response of atoms in strong magnetic fields, and quantum-optics phenomena that serve as a practical means to achieve all-optical readout of the atomic spectra, from which information on the magnetic field is obtained. During this project, theoretical atomic spectra in strong magnetic fields will be developed, tested and refined. A vapor-cell probe suitable for sensing strong magnetic fields will be designed, fabricated, and tested. Laboratory experiments will be performed to measure the atomic response to magnetic fields in the range of 1 Tesla at ppm sensitivity levels. The method will also be tested in time-varying and switching magnetic fields, on timescales of 100ms. Miniaturization of probes and read-out units will be initiated, leading towards robust and compact, practical sensing elements with higher operation speed and improved performance characteristics.