The Atomic Magnetometer utilizes the spin properties of alkali metal atoms' outer-shell electrons, employing pump lasers as a means of manipulation to induce spin polarization in these atoms. When subjected to an external weak magnetic field, the alkali metal atoms undergo Larmor precession, altering their absorption of detection lasers, thus achieving high-sensitivity magnetic field measurements.
Atomic magnetometers possess characteristics such as high sensitivity, small size, low energy consumption, and portability, which will likely lead humanity into a new era in magnetic sensing fields such as scientific research and biomedical applications in the future.
Cardiac magnetic detection helps in the early diagnosis of coronary heart disease, fetal cardiac activity examination, and the localization of abnormal heart rhythm foci, and is non-contact, non-invasive, and fast. Multi-channel cardiac magnetic detection equipment based on the Atomic Magnetometer can clearly measure the magnetic field signals of the heart, eliminating high operation and maintenance costs compared to traditional superconducting cardiac magnetometers, and has the potential for a wide range of clinical applications.
Magnetoencephalography, an emerging brain imaging technique, detects the brain's magnetic field with millisecond temporal resolution and millimeter spatial resolution. Since the skull and its soft tissues between the brain and the scalp do not distort and attenuate the magnetic signals, there is no distortion of the magnetoencephalographic signals. In addition, Magnetoencephalography has the advantage of being safe and non-invasive as there is no need to take radioactive drugs or be exposed to radiation during the examination.
The Atomic Magnetometer-based magnetoencephalography device can be designed as a “wearable” device to record magnetoencephalography during exercise. In addition, the device is small in size and low in operation and maintenance cost, which is conducive to the popularization of the application.
Reference: Nature 555, 657 (2018)
Atom | Rb-87 |
Sensitivity | <15 fT/√Hz |
Bandwidth | 1~100 Hz |
Range | ±5 nT |
Measuring Direction | Z/ Y/ Z&Y Axis |
Signal output | Analog signal&digital signal |
Background magnetic field | -100 nT~100 nT |
Number of channels | Expandable up to 256 channels |
Probe size | 30 mm*16 mm*12 mm |