Quantum sensitivity limits of an optical magnetometer based on atomic phase coherence.
Academic Article
Overview
Identity
Additional Document Info
View All
Overview
abstract
An optical magnetometer based on atomic coherence effects is analyzed using a quantum Langevin approach. The large dispersion of a phase-coherent atomic medium (phaseonium) at a point of vanishing absorption is used to detect magnetic level shifts via optical phase measurements in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer with sensitivities potentially superior to state-of-the-art devices. Effects of Doppler broadening and fluctuations of the driving field are discussed and a comparison to standard optical-pumping magnetometers is made. 1994 The American Physical Society.