Abstract: A magnetometer for use with a sample including an atomic vapor includes a cell containing the sample such as a multipass cell including a first mirror element and a second mirror element configured so that an incoming light beam injected into the container will reflect multiple times between the first mirror element and the second mirror element. A polarized pump light source is configured to transmit pump light through the cell and pump the sample. A polarized probe light source configured to transmit probe light through the cell and probe the sample. A detector configured to detect a polarization angle or intensity of the probe light transmitted through the sample. A processor may be configured to calculate a precession frequency of the sample based on a first probe light pulse and a frequency correction based on a second probe light pulse.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an optical apparatus including at least one optical element including glass, at least one support including silicon and a housing including glass. Furthermore, the at least one optical element and the at least one support can be anodically bonded together, and the at least one support and the housing can be anodically bonded together. The disclosure further provides a method for fabricating optical components with durable bonds and incorporates active alignment.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an optical apparatus including at least one optical element including glass, at least one support including silicon and a housing including glass. Furthermore, the at least one optical element and the at least one support can be anodically bonded together, and the at least one support and the housing can be anodically bonded together. The disclosure further provides a method for fabricating optical components with durable bonds and incorporates active alignment.

Abstract: A magnetometer for use with a sample including an atomic vapor is disclosed. The magnetometer includes a cell containing the sample such as a multipass cell including a first mirror element and a second mirror element configured so that an incoming light beam injected into the container will reflect multiple times between the first mirror element and the second mirror element. A polarized pump light source is configured to transmit pump light through the cell and pump the sample. A polarized probe light source configured to transmit probe light through the cell and probe the sample. A detector configured to detect a polarization angle or intensity of the probe light transmitted through the sample. A processor may be configured to calculate a precession frequency of the sample based on a first probe light pulse and a frequency correction based on a second probe light pulse.

Abstract: A radio-frequency tunable atomic magnetometer for detection of nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) from room temperature solids, including detection of nitrogen-containing explosives placed external to a sensor unit. A potassium radio-frequency magnetometer with sensitivity of 0.24 fT/Hz1/2 operating at 423 kHz is provided. The magnetometer detected a 14N NQR signal from room temperature ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) in the zero-applied field limit. Results demonstrate first time detection of NQR with an atomic magnetometer, providing that a cryogen-free atomic magnetometer, with intrinsically frequency-independent sensitivity and easy tuning capabilities, can be an attractive new tool for detecting magnetic resonance signals in the kHz to MHz range.

Abstract: A radio-frequency tunable atomic magnetometer for detection of nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) from room temperature solids, including detection of nitrogen-containing explosives placed external to a sensor unit. A potassium radio-frequency magnetometer with sensitivity of 0.24 fT/Hz1/2 operating at 423 kHz is provided. The magnetometer detected a 14N NQR signal from room temperature ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) in the zero-applied field limit. Results demonstrate first time detection of NQR with an atomic magnetometer, providing that a cryogen-free atomic magnetometer, with intrinsically frequency-independent sensitivity and easy tuning capabilities, can be an attractive new tool for detecting magnetic resonance signals in the kHz to MHz range.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for increasing the intensity of coherent population trapping (CPT) resonances, used in atomic clocks and magnetometers, by pumping the atoms with light of alternating polarization. Pumping with such light, characterized by a photon spin vector that alternates in direction at a hyperfine frequency of the atoms at the location of the atoms, is referred to as push-pull pumping. In one embodiment of the system of the present invention, alkali-metal vapor is pumped with alternating circular-polarization D1 laser light that is intensity modulated at appropriate resonance frequencies, thereby exciting CPT resonances, which can be observed as increase in the mean transmittance of the alkali-metal vapor. These resonances are substantially enhanced due to an optically-induced concentration of atoms in the resonant energy sublevels.